While I was off in San Francisco, my main TiVo received the latest software upgrade, which includes the "TiVo to Go" feature. The way this works is: If you have your PC networked to your computer, you can record a show on the TiVo, then transfer it to your computer hard disk and watch it on your computer or — and here's the "to go" part — you can transfer it to a laptop or burn it to a DVD and take it elsewhere to view.
Because TiVo is under constant assault from networks for making it way too easy for folks to record their shows in digital, uploadable format, TiVo to Go has been designed with a couple of silly restrictions. You're assigned a number they call a "Media Access Key" and this designates the PC on which the transferred shows can be watched. Supposedly, this will discourage the swapping of recorded shows over the 'net…but of course, there are dozens of software and hardware methods one can use to do this without employing a TiVo. I can even use one of my other TiVos, which comes with a built-in DVD burner, to record a show onto a DVD, then copy said DVD onto my computer. TiVo to Go also requires you to specify your own, personal password for playbacks and enter it every time you view a program you transferred to your PC. Again, this makes things a little more difficult for the honest user but probably won't prevent anyone who wants to swap shows from accomplishing what they wish to accomplish.
The shows are saved on your computer in a special file format with a ".tivo" extension. These are playable via Windows Media Player if you have the right codec installed. For those who don't know: A "codec" is a file interpreter that enables a player to decode an audio or video file. You probably already have many codecs on your computer. If you don't have the proper one, TiVo has a list of ones you can purchase…but don't do that. Not when I've found that the free Media Player Classic will run the files just fine.
TiVo also says you have to purchase Sonic MyDVD software if you want to burn a show to a DVD, but if you search around the Internet, you'll find folks explaining how to do this with DVD burning software you may already own, such as Nero. You may also be able to find instructions on how to convert a ".tivo" file to a plain, old-fashioned MPEG file that you can edit like any desktop video. It's a bit complicated for the novice but I'm betting there will be a simple conversion utility available before long.
So what do I think of this new TiVo feature, so far? I think I am not sure why I will use it. Still, if I do find a purpose, it at least seems to work okay on my little set-up here. I have lots of stuff on my harddisk I don't use…so what's one more?