How to Transfer Your Old TiVo Recordings to Your PC
AI-generated, human-reviewed.
If you’re trying to move your favorite shows from a soon-to-be-obsolete TiVo to a computer, you’re not alone—and the window for easy transfers is closing fast. On Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent highlights the best up-to-date tools and practical steps for saving your recordings before TiVo support disappears for good.
Quick Summary
Many TiVo users are finding that traditional transfer tools like the official TiVo Desktop and website transfers have stopped working. Updates to TiVo hardware, expired software, and increased file encryption make it harder than ever to offload recordings.
Options still exist, but they require more technical know-how or a willingness to try third-party software. Acting now can save your favorite videos before they're locked away permanently.
Main Solutions for Saving TiVo Recordings
KMTTG: The Java-Based Power Tool (Actively Maintained Fork)
- KMTTG is a free, open-source application that allows you to transfer and decrypt TiVo recordings to your PC.
- The original project was abandoned, but it’s now actively updated by a GitHub user (search for "kmttg" fork by lart2150).
- Requirements: You’ll need Java installed on your Windows machine.
- How It Works: KMTTG provides a graphical interface (no confusing command-line needed) for connecting to your TiVo and copying over recordings.
KMTTG uses TiVo Decode under the hood, making the whole process more user-friendly—but you still need your TiVo’s IP and credentials.
On Hands-On Tech, Mikah Sargent found this to be the smoothest active path for most users who want to preserve their media collection.
PyTiVo Desktop: For Windows Users Wanting a Simpler Experience
- pyTiVo Desktop is a free tool with its own website (pytivodesktop.com), tailored to letting you browse TiVo content from your PC and transfer files.
- Best for: Users on Windows 10 and up wanting a graphical interface.
- Note: Unlike PyTiVo (which streams PC files to the TiVo), PyTiVo Desktop pulls from TiVo to your desktop.
- Caveat: The project has not been recently updated (last seen 5 years ago). It may still work, but future compatibility isn't guaranteed.
The "Analog Hole": Recording TiVo Playback with HDMI Output
- As a last resort, you can play recordings from your TiVo and capture the output with an HDMI recorder/decoder (sometimes called a "transcoder")—often used by home theater fans.
- Why use this? It avoids software headaches and works even when official transfers fail, but you’ll need extra hardware and playback in real-time.
Why You Need to Act Now
- TiVo’s PC transfer ecosystem is shrinking—official support is gone, many third-party tools are outdated, and firmware updates have locked down file access.
- Most open-source projects are being abandoned as fewer users rely on TiVo hardware.
- There’s an urgency: If you want your content, grab it now before future updates or hardware failures make it impossible.
What This Means for You
- Don’t wait if you want to save old TV shows, family recordings, or unique content from your TiVo.
- Choose the method that matches your comfort level: graphical tools (KMTTG, PyTiVo Desktop) for most, video-capture hardware if software fails.
- Get your files off the TiVo and backed up on other drives—don’t depend on the DVR as permanent storage.
Step-by-Step: Using KMTTG to Transfer Your Recordings
- Install Java on your PC if it’s not already there.
- Download KMTTG from the active fork on GitHub (look for lart2150’s fork).
- Connect KMTTG to your TiVo using its IP address and your Media Access Key.
- Select recordings from the list in KMTTG’s interface.
- Start the transfer—the software will decrypt and save the files to your chosen folder.
Tip: Always scan newly downloaded files with antivirus software if using third-party tools.
Key Takeaways
- KMTTG (actively maintained fork) is your best bet for transferring files in 2024.
- PyTiVo Desktop is a solid secondary option, especially for Windows users.
- Analog capture hardware (HDMI recorder) is a fallback when all software fails.
- Move fast: TiVo’s openness is disappearing and community support is dwindling.
The Bottom Line
If your goal is to preserve content from an aging TiVo box, now’s the time to act. Free, community tools are still functional, but for how long is uncertain. Prioritize moving your must-keep recordings to a safer location—and consider alternative recording or streaming solutions for the future.
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