How to Use Tivo ToGo

With TiVo you can record shows and watch them whenever you want. But what if you are traveling or your TV is otherwise occupied and you want to watch your favorite TV shows? You can transfer these shows onto your desktop or laptop PC and watch them from there. The transfer of video files from your Series2 or Series2 DT TiVo DVR to your PC and replaying them is a unique utility made possible by the TiVo ToGo Home Media feature. Once you have the software installed on your system, it is just a matter of few simple steps before you transfer the programs to your PC and replay them.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 25 MB free disk space for TiVo Desktop installation
• 500-MHz or faster Pentium processer
• At least 256 MB RAM
• At least 5 GB of free disk space
• DirectX 9.0 or later
• Computer equipped with Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP

Before You Get Started

1. Verify that your TiVo Series2 or Series2 DT DVR is connected to your home network.

2. Confirm that your PC is equipped with Microsoft® Windows® 2000 or XP, DirectX 9.0 or later, a 500-MHz or faster Pentium processer, at least 256 MB RAM, 25 MB free disk space for TiVo Desktop installation, and at least 5 GB of free disk space.

3. Install version 2.0 or higher of TiVo Desktop for Windows.

4. Ensure that you have the latest version of TiVo software on your DVR. Usually, software updates will be downloaded automatically onto your TiVo DVR.

5. Enable transfers in Manage My Account (MMA) by logging in to MMA at the TiVo Web site (see below), if they are not already enabled.

Transfer Programs to Your PC and Play Them Back

6. Double click on the TiVo icon on the Windows taskbar to launch TiVo Desktop. Alternatively, start by clicking the TiVo Desktop icon placed on the desktop.

7. Click on the "Pick recordings to transfer" button, displayed right below the Menu bar.

8. Choose the DVR from where you would like your transfers. Automatic selection will be made if you have a single DVR.

9. Choose the program or list of programs that you want to tranfer to your PC.

10. Click on the "Start transfer" button to begin the transfer process.

11. View the status of your transfers on the screen to obtain details about the transfers, restart an interrupted transfer, or remove a transfer from the list by clicking "Transfer status."

Play a File That Has Been Transferred Onto Your PC

12. Double click on the TiVo logo on your Windows task bar or on your desk top to start.

13. Click on the "Now playing" button.

14. Choose the program that you would like to replay by clicking on it from the list displayed on the central part of the Window.

15. Click on the "Play" button to begin your automatic media player program and view the transferred program.

Tips & Warnings

• Install a Microsoft Windows Media Player version 10 for your Windows XP and Version 9 for Windows 2000 and get highest picture and sound quality, enhanced organizational services and media connections like email and mobiles.
• Recommendations for Windows Media Player versions are provided merely for informational purposes. Rely on personal opinions for verifying the compatibility and performance.