We are happy to announce that the TiVoToGo rollout has officially begun! During the scheduled rollout, all Series2 TiVo standalone boxes will receive software version 7.1, which enables the TiVoToGo feature.

What is the TiVoToGo Home Media feature?

The TiVoToGo feature allows you to transfer programs from your TiVo box to your PC running Microsoft Windows® 2000 or XP. This will allow you to watch your favorite programs in another room or take them with you on the road.

How can I get it?

All Series2 standalone customers (except for those with DVD Recorder models – see below) will receive the updated software (version 7.1) during the scheduled rollout process. If you are anxious to receive this feature, we have set up a Priority List at www.tivo.com/priority. Just put in your TiVo Service Number and you will receive the updated software more quickly.

Note: It will take a few weeks for us to update everybody who signs up on the Priority List. Your patience is appreciated.

You will also need the following to use the TiVoToGo feature:

• Version 2.0 of TiVo Desktop for Windows. You can download it at www.tivo.com/desktop. TiVo Desktop for Windows 2.0 is only available for Windows 2000 and XP. If you have an older version of Windows, you will not be able to use the TiVoToGo feature. You can continue to use your existing version of TiVo desktop for the Music and Photo features.
  
• To play back files on your PC, you will need a supported codec. The TiVo Desktop 2.0 installer will check to see if you have one currently installed. If you do not, more information about how to purchase and install one can be found at www.tivo.com/codec.
  
• If you have Windows XP, we recommend that you install Windows Media Player 10 to play back the video files. Older versions of Windows Media Player are not supported. If you have Windows 2000, you can try Windows Media Player 9.
  
• Your TiVo box will need to be connected to your home network. If you haven’t connected it yet, refer to the resources listed below for help in getting started.

Can I burn shows to DVD once I transfer them to my PC?

Sonic Solutions® plans to release a version of MyDVD® that will be able to burn programs transferred from a TiVo box to a DVD (if you have a DVD recorder on your PC). There will be a free trial of this software available in mid-January 2005. Sign up here to be notified when the Sonic Solutions software is released.

Is the TiVoToGo feature available for Apple Macintosh computer?

The TiVoToGo feature will initially be available for Windows PCs only. TiVo is working hard to make the TiVoToGo feature available on TiVo Desktop for Mac in the future but no release date is available at this time.

Where can I get more information?

We have more information at www.tivo.com/togo. You can download an updated version of the Home Media Feature guide (in PDF format) at www.tivo.com/guides. Just click the picture of your TiVo box and then “Home Media Feature Guide.” We also have extensive information about setting up and using the TiVoToGo feature at www.tivo.com/support. Just do a search for “TiVoToGo” or “TiVo Desktop.”

Important notes

• DVD Recorder with TiVo models from Humax, Toshiba, and Pioneer will not receive the TiVoToGo feature until later this year. Toshiba DVD Player models will receive the update during the scheduled rollout process. Please do not sign up at the priority list if you have a DVD Recorder with TiVo model.
• Series1 TiVo boxes and DIRECTV Receiver with TiVo boxes will not receive the TiVoToGo feature.
• If you are using the MoodLogic Music Organizer application (www.moodlogic.com), you will need to upgrade to the latest version to use TiVo Desktop 2.0. You can get the latest version of the Mood Logic application here.
• The WMA Plug-in created by pzand is not compatible with TiVo Desktop 2.0. If you are using that plug-in, you must uninstall it before installing TiVo Desktop 2.0. We attempted to reach pzand but were unable to do so at this time.
• The links to third-party site listed above for informational purposes only. TiVo makes no representations or warranties as to the suitability of third party software. Any installation of third party software is at your risk. If you need support relating to the third party technology, please contact the manufacturer directly.

Updated to reflect update to Windows 2000 video player recommendations.

thanks bill, for the post! many are no doubt very excited!

i must say though that i'm very disappointed about no mac support, however. anything more you can say about that?

Thanks for the post Bill. Can't wait!!!!

Bill, any more information on this TIVO supported version of Mydvd?

The regular version of mydvd costs $69.


I'm wondering what the pricing for this tivo supported version will be?


What about burning to a CD-R or CD-RW? Thanks.

Afraid not. We will certainly let you know when an update is available.

Will it really take a few weeks if I JUST signed up for the priority list? When will you start sending out the update to those on the top of the list?

We don't have any information that we can post about the Sonic MyDVD software. In mid-January, Sonic is scheduled to post a Free Trial version and will announce pricing and capabilities at that point.

Yes, it could well be a few weeks. The first people to receive the download are a random sampling of customers that we will use to measure how many support resources we need available during the release. In a few weeks, the roll out will be accelerated once we are comfortable that everything is going as planned. So, if you sign up today, you could get the update over the next few days, or in a few weeks. Please DO NOT keep forcing calls/connections since if sever loads get too high, we will have to slow down the rollout so that the servers are not impacted. When you get the software download, a message will appear so that you can start using it right away. We appreciate your patience -- people on the priority list will definitely get it sooner than the general population.

JavaHMO 2.1 appears to be working fine with the new TiVo Beacon service binaries. It is also running fine alongside the new TiVo Desktop 2.0

thanks for all of the prompt replies! wow! you're great!

while i am disappointed that there is no mac support, are you able to say if the update will allow for wireless G support?

thanks!

Software version 7.1 will eventually allow us to offer support for a few 802.11g adapters. When that support is available, we will update the adapter list at www.tivo.com/adapters

Can you clear something up ?


It says on the website :


BUT it goes on to say


I have a Toshiba, which has a service number of 264...

Will it get it, or not ??

Thanks for the great news TiVoBill!! I can't wait. Gimmie, Gimmie!!

Boxes with the prefix "264" are Toshiba DVD Players. The software will go out to those boxes as part of this rollout. The note refers to DVD Recorders, which will not receive the TiVoToGo software until later this year.

Ah... okay..

I read it in my haste as "DVR recorder" not DVD... my mistake

Thanks for the clarification !

Any hint as to what the rollout schedule is going to be like? 10,000 today 25,000 tomorrow .... 2% a day for 5 days ??? Just a hint?

Is the priority list prioritized? Is it same to assume that people that sign up first will be eligible to get the new release first? (e.g. FIFO?)

Also - do you have any comment on the AMD Alchemy chip announcement? It specifically mentions that it's designed to work with Tivo To Go, but I don't see any other announcement of vendors with PMPs planned around the chip - is Tivo going to manufacturing a portable player?


"AMD is partnering with industry-leading DVR manufacturer TiVo to support the TiVo-To-Go initiative, which enables direct transfer of programs from a Series2(TM) TiVo(R) DVR directly to PMPs, laptops and other portable devices.

"TiVo-To-Go enables the secure transfer of broadcast content from a TiVo box to a personal media player and allows consumers to enjoy their TV shows anywhere, in the living room, on a plane, or in a hotel," said David Sandford, director of technology & licensing business at TiVo. "Portability is a key desire for TiVo subscribers and key innovations in embedded processing, such as the Au1200 processor from AMD, help make it possible to transfer TiVo content directly to portable devices."

Will a new user's guide be published covering the new features?

Edit:
Never mind found it
http://customersupport.tivo.com/res...t/HMF2_Book.pdf

That's great news!

What about USB 2.0?

Its like Christmas all over again. I signed the priority list tonight and hope Santa will have left me something on my TiVo in the morning.... Thanks TiVoBill...

I've been a user of the pzand plug-in and I was worried when I read your comment about lack of compatability. I installed the new desktop software and I seem to be able to play WMAs fine. Is there native WMA support in the new desktop software?

thanks
Spencer

The new documents say TiVo will only PLAY an MP3 from the server ... I don't know if the server can serve up any file to another device that can work with the protocol though ...

Any information on sending shows back to the TiVo?

I'm happy to hear about this!

I wonder, are there going to be any other goodies in the software? Some of the features we've been requesting for years?

EDIT: Well, something has changed in the menus:

Thanks for the report. That note came out of beta testing and some issues that testers ran into while using the WMA plug-in. If it works for you, feel free to continue to use it.

No USB 2.0 support in this release.

How many laptops can I put the software on and run... i.e, just mine or my girlfriend's too?

Thanks for the info. Is there somewhere I can formally request Mac support?

Will there be a SDK or server details available so JavaHMO (Or someone else) can upgrade the server piece with additional capabilities such as those found on DVArchive (Auto transfer by rule, etc.)

I would really like to set up a system where my laptop is autoupdated with the latest program without the need to manually transfer the file before I watch it.

Also will we ever be able to use this to set up an archive system like DVArchive where we can later transfer the programs back to the TiVo to watch again on TV or will I need to set up a PC to play transferred programs on the TV?

Thanks