Tivo to DVD Burning Issue

[jdogg2603]

First post so be gentle. I have read many guides and posts and am still having issues burning Tivo files to DVD. Here is my process:

1) Use TivoToGo to bring program to PC (Windows XP)
2) Use Direct Show Dump to turn .tivo file to .mpg
3) Use tmpgenc to re-encode video to DVD format
a) Convert from 480x480 to 352x480 resolution
b) Used bitrate calculator to determine average bitrate of 6,500 and a maximum bitrate of 9,500 to fit 1.5hr program to 4.7 Gb dvd
c) VBR-2pass
4) Nero Vision Express 2 used to create menu, and chapters.
5) DVD file created on PC
6) NVE2 buring tool used to creat DVD (after it creates the file it askes if you want to use the burning tool...could actually be another nero product installed and not NVE2)
a) Memorex DVD+R media
b) Memorex DVD+-RW media
7) Memorex (MEM 32023292) 16x16 Dual-Format Double-Layer DVD burner
8) Tried to play on Panasonic RV31 dvd player

The outputted dvd's work to some degree, but there are portions of them that are unwatchable and sometimes freeze altogether. There are blocks on the screen and audio issues such as popping and squeeling (these are not evident when played on the pc). If you guys can help me determine if this is an encodeing, authoring, media, or dvd player issue I will be forever grateful.

Thanks for your help.

[Krispy Kritter]

Does the disc work on the PC? Have you tried the disc in another dvd player?

Without knowing the above, it is hard to know what is wrong. Most likely your stand alone doesn't like the Memorex media (I've never had any luck with Memorex). Look up your player in the DVD Player section and see what brands/types of media others have had luck with.

[jdogg2603]

Thanks for the reply. The disc plays flawlessly in the PC. According to the comments here the memorex seems to work in the standalone as well. My first thought was to test it in another standalone, but as of yet I have not been able to.

Until I am able to test the disc elsewhere does anyone have any concerns about the re-encode, authoring, and burning process above?

Thanks again.

[Krispy Kritter]

Sounds like your process is working since the disc is playable in your pc. Verifying in another standalone will help rule out your process as the issue. Most likely you are just having media incompatiblilities.

Also, -R discs usually have better compatibility with standalones. Since you are using +R discs, you could try setting the book type for increased compatibility with some players. **Note that not all burners can set the book type.

[kirky99]

Sounds similar to what I'm doing...

1. TivoToGo to PC
2. Direct Show Dump to MPG
3. Womble MPEG Video Wizard to edit and convert to 352x480
4. Author in DVDLab Pro to DVD-R
5. Plays fine in PC and Phillips 642 player, I haven't tried others.

Sounds like possibly media

[jdogg2603]

Care to share any of your details? I'd be interested to know what record quality and encode settings give you the best balance of speed and quality.

[kirky99]

Care to share any of your details? I'd be interested to know what record quality and encode settings give you the best balance of speed and quality.

Depends on what I'm trying to do. Currently, I'm trying to get five, 1/2 hour shows to one DVD-R WITH motion menus, so I have the settings fairly low. I think 3500 VBR 1/2 D1 w/ 128 kbps stereo MP3 audio.

It would be much higher if I wanted only a couple shows, but since I'm re-encoding MPEG video anyway, I know I'm going to end up with crap.

In terms of speed, I don't worry at all about speed, I click START and do something else. When you're working with encoding video you're looking at long wait times. I'm currently running an Athlon 64 3500+ with a gig of memory going to SATA 150 dirves, and it's slow. It comes with the territory..

[painkiller]

As an alternative, here's what I have done/prefer.

Tivo recorded programs at BEST quality are at 544x480 resolution.
I had also first started to convert them to MPG and then to DVD format(s).

But now I find it quicker, easier, and more economical to convert from the 544x480 mpg to DIVX.

It retains the highest resolution that it can (selecting for home theater) and you have smaller files (putting more on a +R disk (or -R).

If you have a DVD player capable of playing DIVX, this could be a real boon for you.

Just a suggestion.

[jdogg2603]

If you have a DVD player capable of playing DIVX, this could be a real boon for you.

My Panasonic RV31 does not like DIVX . Thanks for the idea though.

[kirky99]

Tivo recorded programs at BEST quality are at 544x480 resolution.

That's news to me. Any Tivo file I've ever received from my Series2 box is 480x480. I always record at best quality. Is there some hack to enable better resolution?

The rest is another alternative. Sticking with DVD spec video/audio is probably better for compatibility. I understand that I'm out of spec too.

[painkiller]

Apparently there seems to be differring results among Tivo owners....

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=286444&highlight=Best+quality+recording

In my case, when I have been importing an mpg file (derived from a .tivo file) into DVD-Lab Pro I get messages the video resolution format is at 544x480 and may not be playable on all dvd players.

Also when I use the Divx encoder (6.0 and 6.1) the newest Divx converter no longer shows on-screen what the Doctor Divx (using the 5.x encoder) also told me - that the mpg files were at 544x480.

So as a result, I figured that converting straight from the tivo derived mpg to divx kept it at the highest resolution since I could play them on my Phillips 642 and LG LDA-511.

My thinking is that when I do get to the point where I have an HDTV monitor/tv - these videos won't look as bad as lower resolution captures will.

See if that makes any sense.

[Eyedoctor2]

How I handle Tivo Files

Almost everything you need to know can be found at:

http://www.zatznotfunny.com/ttg.htm

Most important part of that is the following excerpt:

UPDATE, 6/14 The author of EtiVo has released DirectShow Dump, http://prish.com/etivo/tbr.htm , a free utility to extract the content of .tivo files as unprotected MPEGs. Depending on the recording quality (file size) and your computer specs, conversion only takes a few minutes.

Steps then are:

1) Put .tivo file in folder
2) Point DirectShow Dump to that folder.
3) DirectShow Dump will provide you with a .mpg file as output.
4) Use DVD Patcher, https://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=DVDPatcher, to patch the First Header only, changing the horizontal resolution to 720.

This is necessary because many DVD Authoring programs (eg. TMPG DVD Author) won't accept the 480 x 480 format of the Tivo generated mpgs.

5) Author the resulting mpg with your DVD Authoring software of choice.
6) Repatch the first header of the first VOB back to horizontal resolution of 480 to eliminate playback problems.
7) Burn

Most important advantages of this approach is that no graphedit experience is necessary and no time intensive re-encoding is needed.

Entire process can be completed in much less than an hour for the typical 2 hour tivo show.

Hope this helps!!

[joepic]

One step process TiVo to DVD with new Sonic MyDVD Studio Deluxe Suite 6.1?

Why are we doing things the hard way?

I found this article

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1926654,00.asp

"only Sonic version 6.1 could import and burn TiVo video files effectively. There was no indication at Sonic's Web site that the point upgrade provided any features beyond TiVo file import, yet Sonic was not offering the upgrade as a free download for registered users. Why not? The ability to burn TiVo-based DVDs will further cement Sonic MyDVD as the authoring tool of choice in end users' minds. Sonic reps wouldn't go into details, but they told me that 6.1 is being offered as a new version (and a clean download) to avoid legal implications of an unnamed patent dispute. Sounds mysterious, but I couldn't get more information that that. In any case, I decided to pass, for now, on Sonic's offer to upgrade for $99 and download a near-350MB file."

Has anyone tried this software???

MyDVD Studio Deluxe Suite 6.1
http://www.sonic.com/products/Consumer/MyDVD/StudioDeluxeSte/quicklook.aspx

"Create, share and preserve digital media on DVD and CD. Make movie or slideshow DVDs, burn audio CDs and backup data with an easy-to-use streamlined process. Rip your CD collection and browse by artist, album and genre and make custom mix CDs in minutes. Protect and restore your videos, music, photos and critical data by effortlessly backing up media to a CD or DVD. Burn your favorite shows that you’ve recorded with TiVo®** directly to DVD. "

[Eyedoctor2]

Sonic MyDVD is very poorly regarded in general
see: https://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=Sonic_MyDVD

Though the steps outlined in my post above sound complicated, they really aren't.

Best part is that no re-encoding is involved, so what you see in your Tivo ouput is what you get. Also is much quicker than having to re-encode.

[Denvers Dawgs]

MYdvd blows....Freezes on every little thing. Shuts itself down after editing for over an hour (because the software is so slow) Tried Sonic Support. After 3months of not hearing from them they just shut down my question and said it was resolved? How could it be resolved if they never responded? Don't spend the $$ on the crap software. I have tried Eyedoctor2's process, it does work, but unfortunately neither my Toshiba nor my samsung play the dvds correctly. My GF's Sony does play the discs flawlessly however.

What dvd players do your discs work on Eyedoctor2? Maybe I'll just buy a new dvdplayer.

[Eyedoctor2]

I have a Sony as well!

I have also had it work on my second DVD player, a Samsung.

My very very old Pioneer does give me wierd artifacts, though.

[Denvers Dawgs]

yea my samsung and toshiba both play the video uncentered. Looks like I may just get a sony player

[jman98]

jdogg2603 - Please do yourself a favor and avoid Memorex media like the plague. It is absolute crap! Take a look at:
http://www.nomorecoasters.com
for good media.

[Denvers Dawgs]

I had some memorex (RICHOJPN) that worked flawlessly. That was when I got started with dvds. I now only us Fuji (ty) and Verbatim (MCC)

[jdogg2603]

jdogg2603 - Please do yourself a favor and avoid Memorex media like the plague. It is absolute crap! Take a look at:
http://www.nomorecoasters.com
for good media.

Thanks for the advice. I've since learned this through much pain and suffering. Just yesterday I burned a DVD on Memorex DVD-RW media. First disc had errors at the end of the disc. The second disc with the same DVD files and same burn speeds had no issues.

[joepic]

I knew MyDVD was BAD, just wanted to get some input from those who tried it to show all conversions options for anyone reading this thread

Now for the next option, TiVo-to-Go to video iPod. What's the best software to use?

What do you think about this
Cucusoft iPod Video Converter + DVD to iPod Converter Suite 3.6.3.15
http://www.cucusoft.com/

[jonny plumber]

I cant find directshow dump anywhere. It seems the prish/etivo site has been taken down. Anyone know where i can get this software, google search hasn't helped.