Simple TiVo Series 1 Hacks

Everyone with one, loves their TiVo. However, there are some tricks and hacks that make TiVo a little more useful and easier to use. This article will cover three of my favorite additions and alterations to the popular live television manipulator TiVo.

Transfer your favorite recordings to DVD.

If you have TiVoToGo, you are already transferring your files to your computer. So now instead of sitting on your TiVo hard drive, the shows are taking up space on your computer. You have probably noticed these files cannot be burned to DVD. However, by simply converting the file .tivo files to MPEG2 files, you can burn them to DVD. Please remember to make certain the DVD works before deleting any files.

Step 1. Download the desired show to your computer.

Step 2. Download and install DirectShow Dump.

Step 3. Start DirectShow Dump and browse to the location you wish to store the decrypted or converted file.

Step 4. Click on Add Files and browse to the location of the desired show on your computer.

Step 5. You will normally need to change the Files of Type drop down to TIVO Files (.tivo) before your show is listed.

Step 6. Select the show or shows you wish to convert and click OK.

Step 7. Burn your show to DVD using your favorite DVD burning utility.

Skip those annoying commercials.

You could fast forward through the commercials, but why not skip ahead 30 seconds at a time with the push of a button? You can easily program one of your TiVo buttons to perform a 30 second commercial skip. Note that this hack works for Series 1 TiVos and will need to be reprogrammed once the TiVo has been rebooted for any reason.

Step 1. Bring up a live show or a recorded program.

Step 2. On your remote, enter the following: Select - Play - Select - 3 - 0 - Select

Step 3. You will hear three Thumbs Up Sounds.

Step 4. Your Advance button will now skip ahead 30 seconds.

Resort your Now Playing List.

By opening a back door in your TiVo software, you can easily sort your Now Playing list. You can sort by Newest, Expiration, and Alphabetical by pressing 1, 2, or 3 respectively. This hack works for Series 1 TiVos.

Step 1. Go to Browse By Name or Search By Title screen.