Quote Originally Posted by jimbo
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's been included with the basic service for some time now, plus you can manage your TiVo from any Internet connection in case you're out of town and forgot to set up a recording.

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.
That blows. All you need for the current Series 2 TiVo's are a cheap LinkSys USB E-Net or WiFi adapter.

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.
TiVo hacking is so commonplace now and unopposed by corporate that it's practically plug-n-play now. Several outfits are offering kits with brackets, cabling and huge hard drives so you can turn a basically free unit into a 900-hour powerhouse.

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.
Great info! The local Sams Club has the Lite-On for $130 and you've now given me the motivation to get one! LOL!

The TiVo is truly a wonderful machine and I owe big BIG thanks to John for giving me the info and endorsement I needed to take the plunge. Believe me, you TRULY free yourself from TV! I don't watch much, but I get to see exactly what I want to, how I want to, when I want to. It's allowed me to sample shows I might otherwise have missed and manage to get the old shows I grew up with and wanted to revisit, all with a great commercial-trouncing interface.

Once you get it you'll never understand how people enjoy TV without it.