How to Find a Codec for My TiVo

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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A codec is any technology that compresses and decompresses data. TiVo uses this technology to replay the video files stored on the TiVo DVR on your PC. Typically, a codec comes pre-installed in the software or the hardware. However, it can also be implemented by integrating both the software and hardware of your PC. Nowadays, most of the TiVo DVRs come with the codec pre-installed. In case your PC does not come with a codec, here's how to find it.

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Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

TiVo Desktop software
TiVo DVR
PC (Desktop or Laptop)

Step 1

Verify whether your system has an built-in codec. During the installation process for TiVo Desktop, the system will check whether the appropriate codec is installed on the PC or not. You will be notified to purchase and install this component before proceeding with the installation process.
Step 2

Understand that TiVo recordings are compressed using the MPEG-2 format. You will need a compatible MPEG-2 codec to use these files, so check to see if your computer is equipped with the right one.
Step 3

Play any DVD on your computer. DVD uses the same MPEG-2 codec to play files as TiVo. If a DVD works on your computer, you can safely assume that you have the appropriate MPEG-2 codec on your PC for TiVo.
Step 4

Purchase TiVo Desktop Plus software from Tivo (see link below) if you don't have MPEG-2. It comes with a compatible MPEG-2 codec.