For those of you who care, the Amazon Unbox blog has posted some technical details about Unbox recordings that you can download to your TiVo. Here’s the technical mumbojumbo:

TiVo “Best Quality” File
* Video Encoding Type: 2-pass bitrate VBR
* Video Codec: MPEG-2
* Video Bitrate: 2800 kbps avg, 6600 kbps peak
* Video Frame Size: 640×480 - all 16×9 content is letterboxed
* Video Frame Rate: 23.98, 29.97 (same as source)
* Video Keyframe Interval: 4 seconds
* Audio Encoding Type: 2-pass bitrate VBR
* Audio Codec: MPEG-2 Layer 3
* Audio Bitrate: 192 kbps avg, 1000 kbps peak
* Audio Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz (same as source)

As expected, TiVo has released TiVoDesktop version 2.5. Version 2.5 includes a number of new features some of which I am extremely excited about. The software’s release notes indicated that the following features have been added/fixed:

This version of TiVo Desktop has the following new features.

Compatible with Microsoft Windows Vista.

This version has the following features in TiVo Desktop Plus.

Adds ‘Apple iPod’ to the list of portable devices. Converted files are added directly to your iTunes library.

Supports transfer and playback of .AVI or .Divx files encoded with the DivX codec (version 4 or higher) or with the Xvid codec. No other video formats are supported within .AVI files.

Allows conversion of previously transferred TiVo recordings by selecting the recording and then selecting ‘Convert for …’ from the Action menu.

Converts recordings for portable devices sequentially..

While I was trying out the new features, I did notice that my Series 3 is now listed in the list of TiVos that I can transfer shows from. Unfortunately, when I select my Series 3, the software throws up an error saying “Access denied”. This makes me think that TiVo is gearing up for TiVoToGo on the Series 3. To the best of my knowledge, my Series 3 wasn’t listed as an available DVR in previous versions (correct me if I am wrong).

DVRUprade has decided to bring their blog back to life. I know from personal experience how hard it can be to update a blog on a regular basis (personal site). Hopefully DVRUpgrade continues to post content to their blog. I look forward to reading what they have to say. In my opinion, you can never have enough TiVo news and information.

Now if only TiVo would resurrect the official TiVo blog :)….

TiVoShanan really is earning her pay this month. Here’s three new movies that she has republished on YouTube.

Spotted on TiVoLovers.

Update 8/8 @ 4:20PM 2.5 can now be downloaded via this link. TiVo has also updated their website. I plan on reviewing the product later today so stay tuned..

Update: 8/7 @ 11:08PM 2.5 still isn’t available on TiVo’s website. I’m not sure what TiVoPony was talking about. Hopefully 2.5 ends up being available tomorrow…

TiVoPony (a TiVo employee) has announced that TiVo is going to release TiVoDesktop 2.5 tomorrow. 2.5 appears to be a major upgrade. According to TiVoPony, 2.5 will include the following new features:

* Support for Windows Vista

* Support for DixV and Xvid formats for Web Video Conversions (wrapped in .avi or .divx containers).

* Convert individual shows from Desktop’s Now Playing list at any time, to any profile, by right-clicking.

As of right now, 2.5 has not been posted to TiVo’s website. I can hardly wait to try this version since it includes a lot of new features. Hopefully the support for Vista will be a welcome addition for a lot of people. Stay tuned for more information once the software is available on TiVo’s website.

Now if only we could get an update to the Mac version of TiVoDesktop…..

Last week I reported that WeaKnees had started to ship upgrade drives for the TiVo HD. Well, if you’re thinking about getting an upgrade drive, you might want to check out DVRupgrade as well. TiVo HD upgrade drives cost about the same from either company (WeaKnees, DVRUpgrade).

I’ve yet to upgrade any of my TiVos so I’m interested to hear what other people think about these two companies. Which company do you prefer? WeaKnees or DVRupgrade?

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As a side note, I would like to thank Douglas for putting me down as his TiVo rewards referrer. If you’d like to put me down as your referrer, all you need to do is enter my email address (raianoat AT gmail DOT com) when you activate your TiVo. Thanks Doug!

Recently I noticed that TiVoDesktop was having a difficult time rendering thumbnails for certain images (screenshots to the left). After spending some time investigating the problem, I came to the conclusion that all of the images that are “broken” where at one point rotated using OS X’s Preview on my MacBook. For some reason TiVoDesktop does not like how I rotate and then save the image using Preview.

Has anybody else experienced this problem?

VS.

WeaKnees has published a wonderful page which compares the TiVo HD to the Series 3. Check it out if you’re undecided as to which DVR you should buy.

TiVoLovers is reporting that the newly released TiVo HD is having a number of video issues even after a recent software update. The issues seem to be linked to Scientific Atlantic CableCARDs. If you’re having any pixelation problems with the TiVo HD, you might want to check out the post over at TiVoLovers as well as a thread on TiVoCommunity.com. According to TiVoLovers, TiVo is aware of these problems and they are working on a fix.

I’m really not surprised that there are issues with the TiVo HD. Most first generation devices have problems early on. TiVo has always been good about fixing their software so I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a fix soon.