Posts: 18,006
Threads: 637
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
2
Gareth,
I contacted TIVO recently and that shouldn't be an issue. Transfer the recording to the other TIVO. Burn until done. If it's still an issue, then it's going to make me think twice about purchasing a TIVO HD. One of the reasons I planned to get one was for transferring standard def content from one TIVO to the other, possibly for burning.
Here's a question... Imagine I have my Toshiba TIVO connected to my network via wireless with the TIVO brand wireless adapter. Can I transfer via wireless from the Toshiba to my G5 tower and then use Toast 8 to burn content to DVD? Can I do the same with a TIVO HD? you said you can transfer and burn but I need to do this via wireless otehrwise it's not feasible.
Thanks,
Robert
Posts: 7,583
Threads: 124
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
2
I just transferred a couple of minutes of a standard def. program from my Series3 to my Pioneer DVD-R/TiVo and when I tried to burn it to a DVD, I got the following error:
"This program cannot be copied to DVD because it was transferred from a DVR with incompatible audio and video formats." Which is similar to the error I got before when I tried this a long time ago from a standalone Series2 (the program plays fine though). You can transfer from one DVD-R unit to another and burn, though there may not be much need for that.
But you shouldn't have any trouble transferring content over a wireless network to your G5 and using Toast 8, it'll just be a bit slower than a wired network (HD content on 100Base-T transfers a little faster than real-time on my network, though oddly, that's about how fast SD content transfers also, go figure). I've even transferred HD content over a 'b' network as painful as that is.
The only thing about the HD and Series3 is that they will abide by the copy-protection flag, if set (correctly or incorrectly) by the cable company. I haven't run across any programs with it set yet (I can even transfer movies from HBO and Showtime), but some folks have reported that their cable company is incorrectly flagging almost everything, preventing transfers of those programs.
Posts: 3,807
Threads: 32
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
0
If anybody wants a Series 2 TiVo without lifetime service (but with the compatible Netgear USB wireless adaptor, which is hard to find) for approximately nothing in the NYC northern metro area, PM me. I'm about to Craigslist it but would rather have it go to a forum home.
Posts: 4,143
Threads: 665
Joined: May 2024
We have a Series 2 with Lifetime - it is about 5 years old, and I've upgraded the drives in there twice now and also replaced the power supply. It probably could die any day, but I'd like to eek out as much life from it as I can.... not sure how easy it would be to transfer the lifetime (don't think I can at this point anymore).
My Dad has a Series 2 with monthly. When it died, I gave him a ReplayTV I had with lifetime service. It is a great machine, and he loves it. If you just want some basic recording functionality, I would look around ebay for a 5xxx series Replay with lifetime service - I'll be they can be had for cheap.
Beyond that, the only Tivo that would record without service were the old Series 1's from 1999 and 2000. We had one of those but sold it for this new Series 2.
Posts: 13,845
Threads: 1,153
Joined: Jun 2025
Reputation:
1
Only a Series 1 TiVo will work without a subscription. And it barely works. As mentioned, there is no information on the show, only time and channel. Fill up an 80GB hard drive with "Manual recording" x 100 and it gets fun trying to figure out what you have. Plus, it will constantly nag that it doesn't have any program data.
There are several other options:
* A used TiVo with a lifetime subscription. Ebay or Craigslist. I think this is the best option because you get the whole TiVo experience with no future cost. No Hi-Def, however, so maybe not the best future proof solution.
* One of the DVD recorder models which also includes a built-in hard drive and recording capability. There were a few made but I don't recall the brands/models. I doubt they're still being made but they might be out there somewhere. Some give you a program guide.
* Recording hardware for your Mac. Several brands and models out there. I'm not up on them but I'm sure several here are.
* A Media Center Windows PC. You're probably laughing at this suggestion, but Windows Media Center program data is free. You just buy the hardware. I noticed BB has a very well equipped Acer machine for $500. It's not as nice as TiVo but you have HD capability and it's really not bad.
Posts: 738
Threads: 13
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
0
The Toshiba SD-H400 also comes with a lifetime basic subscription. It is a combination TiVo Series 2/DVD player (not recorder). A friend of mine picked up a new one on eBay when they were plentiful (I only see used models now). He's been very happy with it, but he's looking to unload it now that he's been bitten by the HD bug and can't stand watching SD programming anymore. I may take it off his hands if the price is right.
Posts: 2,348
Threads: 235
Joined: May 2015
It's pretty much impossible to get around paying Tivo a monthly fee for a Tivo box. You can buy used (or new through Feb 2) with lifetime or you can buy used with Tivo basic, but you'll either pay monthly or pay upfront.
A lifetime Tivo subscription stays with the box. Tivo sometimes offers transfers (with a fee) to new hardware, but don't count on it. If you are thinking about going to HD within a few years, you probably don't want to invest in a Series 1 or 2 with lifetime. The SD quality of analog Tivo on HD is disappointing. Tivo now sells TivoHD and Series 3, both of which or HD.
A HTPC may be the way to go if you are a tinkerer and you don't want to pay monthly and you don't expect turnkey results.
