If your TiVo DVR is set up via a network connection, you can easily transfer shows from your TiVo DVR to your computer using the free TiVo Desktop software available on TiVo's website. Using this software, however, is not an option if your TiVo service is set up through a phone connection. You can still transfer shows from your TiVo DVR under this scenario, but you first have to connect your TiVo DVR to a video capture card, which is connected to your computer through a simple cable connection.
Instructions
1. Insert one side of your set of audio/video cables into the audio/video output ports on your TiVo DVR's rear panel. Remember, each audio/video cable is color-coded to match the audio/video port it plugs into. Insert the other side of this set of audio/video cables into the audio/video input ports on your video capture card.
2. Plug your video capture card into one of the USB ports on your computer.
3. Open Windows Movie Maker. Click the "Start" button, point to "Programs," point to "Accessories" and click "Windows Movie Maker."
4. Open the "File" menu and click "Capture Video" to open the Windows Movie Maker capture wizard. The first prompt in the wizard is the Video Capture Device page. Select your video capture card as your video capture source. Click "Next." Fill in the file name box and select the directory where you want your recording to be saved. Click "Next." Follow the remaining wizard prompts to finish setting up your capture session.
5. Turn on your TiVo box and television set.
6. Press the "TiVo" button on your TiVo remote. Select "Now Playing" from the menu of options to open the "Now Playing List." Find and select the show you want to transfer to your computer. Select "More Options" from the "Program" menu. Select "Copy to DVD or VCR," then "Start saving from the beginning." Using this option gives you a little lag time between initiating program playback and when the program actually starts playing. The program title screen appears for a few seconds before the program begins playing.
7. Click "Start Capture" in Windows Movie Maker to begin recording the show playing from your TiVo box. This recording takes place in real time. You should be able to see a preview of the recording in the Windows Movie Maker preview window.
8. Click "Stop Capture" in Windows Movie Maker when the show playing from your TiVo DVR has ended.
9. Click "Finished" in Windows Movie Maker. Your recording is saved in the directory you specified during the capture set-up process.
Tags: your TiVo, Movie Maker, Windows Movie, Windows Movie Maker, audio video
