tivo-desktop

Hot on the heels of TiVo Desktop 2.6, Tivo has released TiVo Desktop 2.6.1 for Windows. The new version includes a number of bug fixes as well as all the features originally included in version 2.6.

The main reason to upgrades is that TiVo Desktop 2.6.1includes a new Windows Certificate. The old one will expire soon so upgrading isn't really optional. But you'll want to upgrade anyway because the new version includes improved recovery from interrupted transfers between your PC and set top box.

If you're running Windows 2000 or an older operating system, you'll need to use a different certificate updater.

[via Gizmo Lovers and TiVo Community Forum]

As expected, TiVo has rolled out a new version of TiVo Desktop with support for any online video accessible through an RSS feed. TiVo Desktop Plus 2.6 for Windows uses will automatically download videos from any feed you subscribe to, and convert them from H.264, Quicktime, or MP4 into TiVo-compatible MPEG-2 files.

TiVo has a list of RSS feeds that you can choose from. If you want to watch videos that aren't available from the TiVo interface, you'll need to download your videos using a separate client like iTunes or Miro. You can then tell TiVo Dekstop to monitor your download folder for new files which will be transcoded.

TiVo Desktop Plus features proprietary codec support, so you'll have to pay $24.95 for a license. The basic TiVo Desktop software is free.

TiVo is preparing to release TiVo Desktop Plus 2.6, which includes enhanced features for downloading podcasts and web video and transferring it to your TiVo. In essence, you can use subscribe to a "Season Pass" of any web content with an RSS feed.

The TiVo Desktop software will download audio and video content from your feeds, save it on your computer, and automatically transcode it and copy it to your TiVo for viewing. You can also make a Season Pass recording from folders on your PC where you save home movies and downloaded video. The software will regularly scan those folders for changes and transfer media to your set top box.

TiVo Desktop Plus 2.6 will be available in March for $24.95. Current TiVo Desktop Plus users will be able to upgrade for free.