The ability to pull your recordings onto your computer is called "The home media option". It is available, for an extra monthly charge I think, on regular Tivos.

It is not available on Direct Tv Tivos, but there is a hack for Lan support through the USB ports (which are non-functioning on a stock Direct-Tivo). I think the hack costs about 300 bucks though.

Tivo is a Linux operating system machine, basically a computer, so once you have the ability to mount the hard-drive through LAN you can do all sorts of things, besides taking programs off. You can change the software and hack it in various ways for additional functionality.

But who wants to mess with all that? Creating a bigger linux drive with the proper Tivo software, using something called "instant cake" was enough hacking for me.

I just run my movies out of the high quality Super-VHS output, using the record to VCR Tivo feature, straight onto my Liteon DVD recorder (the Liteon is a great machine for only 200 bucks). The Liteon records the Tivo playback in real time.

The original Tivo Direct-TV recordings are very clear, and I don't notice any significant quality loss when recording on the Liteon in 2 hour speed. For longer movies I have to go up to 4 hour speed on the DVD recorder and I notice a slight loss in quality on playback of the finished DVD.

It has been working great for me in general though. I buy 100 packs of DVDs at Sams or BJs and save whatever I really like off the Tivo. I have about 300 of my favorite movies in a drawer next to the TV now.