Tivo question

[moonman]

I am rookie at most of this but found the new upgrade has given errors for Tivo files. When trying to open the Tivo files it read, "File is not an MPEG Program Stream."

The previous version worked great for editing Tivo files, now I can't even open them.

I tried the "QuickStream Fix" tool but had no luck.

Need help.
Matt:
:confused:

[phd]

Do the files open in Windows Media PLayer?

[Morgan]

I have the same problem. These are files that I was able to open previously in VDR+, as in the previous day. They don't open in Windows Media Player. I don't know if that's a new issue; I don't usually use WMP to view TiVo files.

I've tried reinstalling VDR+, my DVD burner, and TiVo Desktop. None of these has changed the situation.

[dlflannery]

Will they play if you launch them from within TiVo Desktop? I suspect this is a codec issue. I think I have one too. My TiVo files play OK if launched from within Desktop or in VRD. But they play without audio if launched directly in WMP10. I've installed several codec-using things lately so I'm not surprised.

[Morgan]

The files won't play in TiVo Desktop either--TiVo Desktop launches WMP to play the files, so that doesn't work.

[dlflannery]

Have you been on the TivoCommunity.com forum? Here is a link to a thread there (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=4467556&&#post4467556) that seems related to your problem -- and it does seem to be a codec issue in the cases described there.

Have you installed/uninstalled any other video programs recently?

[Morgan]

No, no other video programs. Though I did have my computer freeze to hardware reset the other day while I was working in Photoshop--first time it's ever happened since I got XP.

Thanks for the link--I hadn't thought to check there.

[Anole]

These two quotes from other threads, taken out of context, may still be helpful:

In reference to VRD playing a file:
...VideoReDo doesn't use external codecs. ...
In reference to some other program playing a file:
You either need an MPEG2 codec and/or an AC3 codec.
They can be purchased for very little money, or you may find one at http://www.free-codecs.com

[dlflannery]

Given the info just posted by Anole, logic seems to point the finger of blame at the TiVo files themselves. Any possibiility they have been corrupted, or are some other kind of file, renamed with a .tivo extension? What is the origin of these files? TiVo Model, recording quality? Can you play the files back over your network through the TiVo?

[Morgan]

It seems unlikely that all 12 TiVo files in four separate folders and subfolders could have become corrupted without a single cause. I transferred them myself, so I know they're all TiVo files. They're from a TiVo Series 2 DVR.

Now here's a strange thing: I just opened a file from the My TiVo folder and it opened very nicely, no problem. After that, I was able to open another file in the same directory. (I move files from the TiVo-generated My Tivo Recordings folder to My Videos/My TiVo and a set of subfolders labeled by series.) *Then* I was able to open files from the subfolders without any trouble.

I closed VDR, then restarted it and successfully opened a file from a subfolder.

So what was the problem?

BTW, I still don't know if the files would play back on the DVR; it takes too long to transfer them to find out--about 2 hours for a 1 hour show.

[dlflannery]

Very weird! Since it is a TiVo file problem your best bet to learn the answer would be TiVo support or the TiVoCommunity forum, I would think. I don't think I've ever put the files anywhere but where Desktop puts them so maybe that's why I've never had the problem. I wonder if the "Media Access Key" has something to do with it?

[Morgan]

That's what I thought, for a moment, because I forgot to put in the MAK after I reinstalled the TiVo Desktop. But I was still having the problem after I did that, for a couple of files. I think. So I could be wrong. That might have been it. In any case, I've been using the subfolders all along, for almost six months. I'm betting a codec got corrupted somewhere, most likely TiVo Desktop, since that's the last thing I reinstalled.

In any case, I'm not having the problem anymore. As hard as it is to diagnose an intermittent problem, it's even harder to diagnose one that doesn't happen at all. I'll certainly be back if it reoccurs.

Thanks for the help!

[feiter]

I realize I am late posting to this thread. I used to record programs in MCE 2005 and then use VRD to convert to Mpg and play on my TiVo as long as I saved them to the My TiVo Recording folder. I had my tv card hooked up wrong for a few months and did not have any sound. I just fixed everything and upgraded VRD to the latest version which says it supports TiVo files. So, I recorded on MCE, used VRD to recode to Tivo type file and save in my TiVo recording folder. The file does not show in Now Playing on TiVo and it does not show in TiVo Desktop 2.3a. So, I converted the original DVR-MS file (Media Center) to Mpg. It shows in the TiVo now playing but when I try to play TiVo says the file does not have a video feed and I tried to record a channel I don't get. What is going on?

Both files play on my PC in VRD and Windows Media player plays the original DVR-MS file but not the TiVo (of course it won't as it does not support the media).

I use VRD to convert the DVR-MS file to Mpg and it shows in TiVo desktop and plays in Media player. I just tried to transfer the Mpg file to TiVo on my television and it shows as available but it will not transfer (it says it will, put it just deletes it and does not transfer).

This original post said the problemwas with TiVo files. It appears to me the program is not properly converting file to Tivo (if it is, why don't they show or play in tiVo).

Help!!! Now I have my MCE2005 recording properly with sound and everything I can't use it with Tivo. What is up.

[dlflannery]

Are your file resolutions, bit-rates and audio type correct for playing in Tivo?
See this TiVo web page (http://customersupport.tivo.com/LaunchContent.aspx?CID=4012D160-79C3-4238-96C8-A27B323D1413).

[feiter]

I thought I gave this to you yesterday--here is the video info for the original DVR-MS file and it does comply with the TiVo web page you referred me to.

File Name: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Recorded TV\Michigan Replay_FCSA_30_11_2006_12_24_13.dvr-ms
File Size: 0 ( 0.00 GB )
Program Duration: 00:08:44.22
File Type: DVR-MS
Encoding: MPEG 2
Video stream Id: xE0
Encoding Dimensions: 720 x 480
Display Size: 720 x 480
Aspect Ratio: 4/3
Frame Rate: 29.97 FPS
Bit Rate: 8.000 Mbps
VBV_Buffer: 224 KB
Profile: Main/Main
Progressive: Prog or Int
Chroma: 4:2:0
Audio Format: Layer 2
Audio Stream Id: xC0
Audio Bit Rate: 256 Kbps
Audio Sampling Rate: 48000 Hz

Here is the info for the file converted to mpg.


File Name: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My TiVo Recordings\Michigan Replay_FCSA_30_11_2006_12_24_13.tivo
File Size: 296392708 ( 0.28 GB )
Program Duration: 00:08:45.01
File Type: PS - MPEG2
Encoding: MPEG 2
Video stream Id: xE0
Encoding Dimensions: 720 x 480
Display Size: 720 x 480
Aspect Ratio: 4/3
Frame Rate: 29.97 FPS
Bit Rate: 8.000 Mbps
VBV_Buffer: 224 KB
Profile: Main/Main
Progressive: Prog or Int
Chroma: 4:2:0
Audio Format: Layer 2
Audio Stream Id: xC0
Audio Bit Rate: 256 Kbps
Audio Sampling Rate: 48000 Hz

Any idea what the "PS" is in front of the MPG2 name? Think this could be the problem?

Your help is appreciated. Today I removed and reinstalled TiVo desktop and I even sprung for $25 for the plus version. No help--still wont recognize the Tivo type files from VRD and it does not play the mpg files converted in VRD.

Your help is apprecaited.

Bill

[dlflannery]

I believe the "PS" means program stream and I don't believe that is a problem. If you haven't tried it already reload the mpeg into VRD and do a Quick Stream Fix. I wonder about GOP lengths? Maybe they are too long for TiVo. Three approaches:

1. Down load gspot from VideoHelp.Com/tools and use it to determine the GOP lengths.
2. Before performing the QSF in VRD, set the maximum GOP length to be limited to 18. See help for how to do this.
3. If you enable the on screen information in VRD and single-frame step through different parts of a video, count the number of frames between when it says "I" on the screen (instead of "P" or "B").

Actually method (2) is probably the best. It will ensure no GOP lengths exceed NTSC standard. BTW if you are in PAL land, make the maximum 15. However if most of your GOPS exceed the limit you set, the QSF will take a long time. However your mpeg is only 8 min long so won't be too bad.

Have you already posted the model of your TiVo?

[feiter]

Thanks for the reply and I will try your suggestions. Here is a new wrinkle for you. Last night I downloaded Digital Media Converter trial version. I selected the same two DVR-MS files I have been trying to recode and use on TiVo with VDR and converted them to Mpeg2 using it. IT RAN ALL NIGHT--2 FILES ALMOST 8 HOURS TO CONVERT! The good or bad news is I was able to transfer them to my TiVO and play them (in big green letters across every frame is the fact it is the trial version). Dan, if I can convert using DMC why can't I use VRD+??? Help Buddy! I really want to use VDR for this--it does not appear to be a TiVo problem now that I could transfer these. It appears to be in the VRD code or something?

Thanks, BTW I have two Series 2 Tivo model Tivo DVRs--one has had hard drive capacity increased the other is standard 80 hr.

[phd]

If Digital Media Converter ran for that long, it sounds like it was completely reencoding your files.

[feiter]

Pat: I wrote Digital Media Converter support and asked about time. There answer was they provide a warning that DVR-MS files are very large and will take time. The support suggests I use the batch program and schedule the conversions over night or while I am at work. Sounds like 3 hours conversion per hour of video is normal for DVR-MS. Sure wish I could get Video ReDo to work with my TiVo. Dan is trying to help me.

[DanR]

Pat: I wrote Digital Media Converter support and asked about time. There answer was they provide a warning that DVR-MS files are very large and will take time. The support suggests I use the batch program and schedule the conversions over night or while I am at work. Sounds like 3 hours conversion per hour of video is normal for DVR-MS. Sure wish I could get Video ReDo to work with my TiVo. Dan is trying to help me.Bill, Did you see my email yesterday? I took that CTrim file you uploaded, re-ran it through VRD and then uploaded and played it on the Tivo. No problems at all.

[feiter]

Yes, thanks Dan and hopefully you got my answer. Yes, I uploaded the wrong file--the one I sent you opened on my TiVo too but nothing else will. I hope you fully understand the problem. I am also getting a message from TiVo that the mpeg files cannot transfer because their is no video stream and I may have tried to record a channel I don't get--could the "no video stream" being identified be the problem? I got your new link to the FTP site and will upload the file a little while. Again, your help is appreciated--this is really getting frustrating.