How to Use TiVo Transfers

TiVo can record TV programs based on a preset schedule. But, what if you were travelling for a few days without much time for TV and still you can’t bear to miss your favorite reality show? With the new TiVo ToGo, you can transfer programs from your TiVo box to your laptop, so you can watch the recorded shows as you travel. Here's how.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer (for transferring) equipped with Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP, DirectX 9.0 or later, a 500MHz or faster Pentium processer, at least 256MB RAM, 25MB free disk space for TiVo Desktop installation and at least 5GB free disk space for your transferred shows
• Media Access Key
• TiVo Desktop software
• TiVo Series2 DVR

1. Connect a TiVo Series2 DVR to your home network before you start using TiVo transfers.

2. Make sure you have minimum system requirements to install TiVotoGo transfers on your laptop. Equip your laptop with Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP, DirectX 9.0 or later, a 500MHz or faster Pentium processer, at least 256MB RAM, 25MB free disk space for TiVo Desktop installation and at least 5GB free disk space for your transferred shows.

3. Download TiVo Desktop software which is free at the TiVo Web site (see below).

4. Use your Media Access Key (your TiVo access code) to install TiVo Desktop software and to securely transfer and view transferred shows. This key code was assigned when you signed up for your TiVo account.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a DVD burner on your desktop or laptop, you can store these recorded programs on a DVD.
• You can also watch your transferred shows on MP3 players and handhelds such as Apple iPod (5th generation with video support), Creative Zen Vision, Zen Vision:M, Nokia N80, Palm Treo 650, Treo 700p, Treo 700w, PSP (PlayStation Portable) entertainment system and Toshiba gigabeat S.
• If you upgrade your free version of TiVo Desktop to TiVo Desktop Plus by paying a fee, you can automatically convert your TiVo ToGo transfers for the compatible portable devices that support MPEG-4 or H.264 video.
• The TiVo ToGo feature is not available on the DIRECTV DVR with TiVo and original TiVo boxes (TiVo Series 1).

Resources

• Check out TiVo ToGo here.