How to Convert AVI to TiVo Format and Transfer to TiVo for Playback

AVI (Audio Video Interleave) is a multimedia container format introduced by Microsoft. You can get audio-with-video playback from AVI files with most media players, including Windows Media Player, VLC, DivX Player and more. However, you cannot play AVI files with TiVo.

TiVo is one of the original DVRs with a long history. If you want to watch AVI videos with TiVo service, you need to convert AVI to TiVo format. Videos recorded by TiVo DVR are saved with .tivo extension, which uses MPEG-2 compression and copyright protection. Thus, if you want to open AVI files with TiVo, you need to convert AVI to MPEG-2. It is the real TiVo format.

Now, let's see how to convert AVI file format to TiVo without losing quality on Windows and Mac here.

Part 1: How to Convert AVI to TiVo Format

To quickly convert AVI files to TiVo, you should not miss AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate. Being equipped with the most advanced hardware-acceleration, you can make a lossless AVI to TiVo conversion at 70x faster speed. The batch conversion support allows users to batch convert AVI files to TiVo format in a short time. Moreover, you can trim, merge, clip, rotate, add watermark and apply other video effects to before converting video from AVI to TiVo format.

Step 1: Free download, install and launch AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate. Click Add Files to upload your AVI files.

Step 2: To batch convert AVI files to TiVo format, unfold the Convert All to list on the top. In the Video section, browse and set MPEG-2 TiVo format.

Step 3: Set a path for your converted AVI to TiVo files in the Save to section. At last, click Convert All to change AVI to TiVo format in bulk.

Check how to improve TiVo file quality with video enhancer.

Part 2: How to Transfer Videos from Computer to TiVo

After converting video from AVI to TiVo format, you need to put MPEG-2 videos to your TiVo media device. Make sure you have purchased the Home Networking Package before. Moreover, don't forget to download TiVo Desktop 2.8 software.

How to Transfer Videos from Windows to TiVo

Step 1: Open My Documents. Then choose My TiVo Recordings.

Step 2: Copy and paste the converted AVI to TiVo video files into this folder. Those files will display in the Now Playing List of TiVo Desktop immediately.

Step 3: On your TiVo device, choose TiVo Central and then select Now Playing List.

Step 4: Choose the video you want to move to TiVo. Follow the on-screen instruction to complete the TiVo video transferring process.

Step 5: Wait until the blue light turns off on your TiVo. You can now open videos from your TiVo Now Playing List.

How to Transfer Videos from Mac to TiVo

Step 1: Download TiVo Desktop for Mac. Click TiVo Desktop in System Preferences to "stop" it.

Step 2: Go to Applications. Choose Utilities followed by Terminal. Type input: defaults write com.tivo.desktop FileVideo -dict-add VideoUIEnabled -bool true.

Step 3: Open TiVo Desktop in System Preferenes again. In the Videos tab, mark Publish my videos. Then add your TiVo MPEG-2 video.

Step 4: Go to TiVo and find Now Playing List. Scroll down to find your Mac's name.

Step 5: Select which video you want to transfer to TiVo. The MPEG-2 video to TiVo transferring process will start automatically.

Part 3: FAQs of Converting AVI to TiVo Format

All in all, you can convert and transfer AVI video to ViTo in one stop. Can you successfully convert AVI to TiVo format? If not, you can feel free to contact us. You can also leave messages below if you have any other questions about AVI and TiVo formats.