A/V Update

[multipurposegoddess]

We got a Tivo about a year ago, and it's been great. It does all kinds of wonderful things that anyone who has one knows, and anyone who doesn't probably doesn't want to hear about. But one thing it can't do - reliably change the channel on the cable box. Serial cable is not an option with my box, so I've got the IR things taped onto the box around the receptor. I followed the directions for placement as accurately as I could, and fine tuned as best I could using Tivo's testing options. Sometimes it just doesn't work.

And TivoToGo sucks in several ways. It only works with Windows. it is currently not able to download many of the files sitting on my Tivo for unknown reasons. It can only export to ipod at the time of transfer. It's pretty unsatisfactory.

About a month ago we got an Elgato EyeTV for the MacMini that is positioned to take over our entertainment needs. I needed it because with Scrubs, Gray's Anatomy, and Supernatural all in the same timeslot, my recording requirements went up to three. Shut up.

So, since the EyeTV changes channels quite reliably,and exports to iTunes easily, today I decided to change the cables around so that the cable box would feed to the EyeTV and the Tivo would have to get by on a diet of basic cable.

it's working exceedingly well so far. Now, the EyeTV doesn't even try to control the cable box, so I have to use Comcast's clunky Record a Future Program system, and that on;y goes a couple of days into the future. I guess they really want people to get their DVRs. however, I am hopeful that once I get my recurring programs scheduled, it will tick along nicely through the end of the season. Meanwhile, the Tivo now has space in its recording schedule to go looking for things I'd like but don't know are on - a feature I haven't used much thus far.

Way more fun than cleaning the living room and doing laundry.

Oops, forgot to mention the silliest part. All this technology feeds into a TV that I bought for about $100 ten years ago.  But it still works (aside from not accepting signals from the remote control) so I can't quite bring myself to replace it...

Comments

[zonereyrie.livejournal.com]

Hello, I run tivolovers.

Some things that may help.

For the cable box issue, check out this thread (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=128743) to see if there are recommendation for your box.

As for TiVoToGo - the DRM has been cracked (http://blog.tivolovers.com/384800.html) and you can use the files on UNIX, Linux, or MacOS. (http://blog.tivolovers.com/387807.html) Also, while the standard TiVo Desktop Plus on Windows only converts new transfers, you can use tools like TiVo Converter Wrapper (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=305532), which uses the TiVo Desktop Plus engine but allows you to convert old transfers, or tools such as TVHarmony AutoPilot. (http://www.tvharmony.com/products.php)

[tskaredoff.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I'll take a look at those.

[thezzyzx.livejournal.com]

Yeah the non-reliable channel changing thing is annoying, but seeing those links for mac conversions makes me want to get my tivo connected to the network.

[tskaredoff.livejournal.com]

Networking is of the good. We've run into difficulty where TivoToGo won't download an entire recording off the Tivo for some reason, I can't figure out why, but before that developed it was very useful. If I can get it to work with the mac, that would be a very good thing.