EtiVo - TiVo add on for Windows Media Center

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EtiVo - TiVo add on for Windows Media Center

Maybe it's because I get 100% of my information about Microsoft from Slashdot, but one of the points that surprised me from Thomas Hawk's interview with Media Center bloggers was that plenty of Media Center people have TiVos too.

Charlie Owen: Also by the way, You might be surprised to hear me say this, but if you try and like a TiVo, buy a TiVo. If, on the other hand you want something with more power, flexibility, adaptability and upgradeability choose a Media Center PC.

However, and a big however, I don't believe this is a entirely a Media Center vs. TiVo choice -- I know lots of people with both in their homes, peacefully coexisting (including eHome team members). I believe the market is big enough for both to thrive.

That point is illustrated perfectly with EtiVo by Shahar Prish (via Matt Goyer). It's a program that takes video files off of a hacked Series 1 TiVo and turns them into WMV files. While it isn't a MCE app, it seems like it could be integrated pretty easily. You can already control EtiVo from a web interface or a WinCE PDA.

Maybe some enterprising hacker will build an MCE front-end to TiVoToGo for people with MCE and Series 2? Heck, while we're lazywebbing, how about a TiVoToGo interface for Xbox Media Center?

by George Hotelling March 1, 2005 in Hacks, TiVo, Windows Media Center XP

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Somewhat on subject, I own both a Windows MCE & a TiVo. I bought the TiVo because I grew impatient waiting for the Windows MCE extenders to become available. When they finally were on the market, they were similarly priced to TiVo, didn't work with older versions of WMCE and weren't readily "hackable." Of course, waiting on TiVo ToGo wasn't much more fun, but it's here and look a the fun people are having creating their own custom apps, all with TiVo's blessing. Microsoft isn't likely to be so inviting. My MCE features grow dusty while my TiVo keeps the living room warm.

Posted by: Jason Coleman at Mar 1, 2005 1:18:34 PM

While of COURSE i have a tivo - with my recent PC purchase I also included a Hauppauge PVR150 and installed Beyond TV. I wouldn't ever consider it a replacement for my tivo but it is a really nice compliment to the every-day uses the tivo provides.

If I think I might want to save a show on my HD, write it to cd/dvd, share it with my family, etc, then I'll record it on the tivo and onto my hd w/Beyond TV. OR - if my girlfriend is hording the tivo - then I'll sit at the computer, watching something there.

Win/Win! I love them both for completely diff reasons.

Posted by: Joel at Mar 1, 2005 5:03:46 PM

"Maybe it's because I get 100% of my information about Microsoft from Slashdot..."

Ruh row... Maybe 100% of your information is horribly biased.

Posted by: tom sherman at Mar 1, 2005 9:09:13 PM

Yes, please TivoToGo for XBMC, PLEEEEASE. I don't even need it to transfer the files, just the ability to pass on my password to the directshow driver so it can play back .TIVO files.

Posted by: Taylor at Mar 2, 2005 6:45:13 AM

I have both, and I love them both equally (although right now I'm loving my MCE a little more than my Series 1 TiVo), I gotta say though, the new TiVo's are just as easy to use as MCE, pretty much as powerful, and about half the price. Heck you can get a TiVo for about the price of a MCE Extender!

Posted by: Brian G at Mar 3, 2005 8:14:58 PM

My Linksys Media Center Extender will not play Tivo-To-Go video without some password that I was not given nor did I supply. How do I find this Password?

Posted by: TP Culp at Mar 16, 2006 8:13:24 PM

Could it be your Media Access key? Never seen the MCE, but sounds like it might be what you need. On your Tivo, check "Messages & Settings" >> "Account & System Info" >> "Media Access Key"

Good luck. TIVO RULES!!

Posted by: George Hottbottom at Mar 21, 2006 9:06:22 AM

If I get mce, could I adapt it to watch my tivo and tv online or simply watch directly on mce from 1000 miles away?

Posted by: Iodarius at Nov 25, 2006 9:18:23 AM

I have XP MCE running on a laptop in my bedroom, and Tivo Series 2 in the living room. I installed TivoToGo on the MCE box, which integrated the Media Access Key and installed the codecs required to play the Tivo files on the MCE box. Now I can watch Tivo files on the MCE box, although I don't get the benefit of the "ten foot font" since my laptop isn't Viiv-ready (so the Tivo/MCE integration piece doesn't give me the GUI, but at least the backend piece works flawlessly)!

Posted by: dave giaimo at Jun 26, 2007 11:57:55 AM

EtiVo - TiVo add on for Windows Media Center

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