The Tivo2MPEG project (more a script right now) is aimed a providing Linux users a means of enjoying the same usage model Mac and Windows users have with Tivo2Go. As a full time Linux user I felt left out of the support spectrum for the premium device I paid for; granted, I knew the state of affairs when I purchase it but that does not make it right. What I wanted was a way to watch my “Tivo-ed” content at my desk while working or even get them into place where I could it with Boxee orAppleTV.
Tivo2MPEG is actually a very old project, it was first created in 2006 when I realized that the Galleon project did not work in a consistent manner when Tivo updated the device OS or when minor changes in the Tivo2Go “protocol” were introduced. While not as elegant as Galleon or the other Tivo2Go offerings, it functioned well for what I needed. I later posted my “Tivo2Go Redux” article on the project.
What happened in the last three years? Well, my TV watching habits changed dramatically, I didn’t watch it. I was extremely unhappy with content providers during that time and consumed more “new media” and spent more time on DVD than broadcast TV; with the birth of Netflix I never looked back. So what’s different now? Really, not much; I still consume more content via the interwebs thanks to Boxee and Netflix streaming (Hulu not so much since they seemed to have declared war on it’s users) but I now have found a content on my cable provider that I want to consume.
I have created a Google Code project at http://code.google.com/p/tivo2mpeg/ with information on how to install and use the script.
In addition the open Bugs/ToDo list can be found at http://code.google.com/p/tivo2mpeg/issues/list
Disclaimer: This is not to allow distribution of Tivo-ed content outside of your home network. Furthermore, while DVD support is planned use of burned content should not circumvent any of Tivo’s rules on HMO accessible content. So while burning a show from your DVD to watch in another room (e.g. your Tivo is in the livingroom and you want to watch on a DVD player in the bedroom or a child’s playroom), giving that show to your friends/family/co-workers or uploading to a torrent site is out of the question. You’ve been warned and by using this tool you agree not to hold ChainedToTheWeb.com or it’s contributors liable for violations of the Tivo licence , DMCA or concept of “fair use”.
The TiVo license agreement allows you to transfer content to up to ten devices within your household, but not outside your household. Unauthorized transfers or distribution of copyrighted works outside of your home may constitute a copyright infringement. TiVo reserves the right to terminate the TiVo service accounts of users who transfer or distribute content in violation of this Agreement.