Several years ago (2005 I think) Tivo opened their platform to PC/Tivo interactions through Home Media Engine (HME) functionality. This allowed users to build home network applications which interfaced with their Tivos and resulted in a few games and even a few useful utilities. I have recently spent some time re-acquainting myself with four of these utilities. They are Remote, kmttg, pyTivo and StreamBaby. All four are written in python or java and work well on Windows, Linux or OS X computers.
A little background first... Tivos now require an internet connection - originally they had a built-in telephone modem and required only a phone line. The connection is used primarily to update the program guide and to allow software updates. The user can also opt-in to furnish viewing information back to Tivo who then uses the anonymous details to compile (and sell) viewing statistics. Users can also (again optionally) allow their Tivo certain local networking functionality. This networking functionality can be extended to interact with other Tivo users via the internet or can be restricted to one's local network.
Remote is a simple PC application which duplicates the functions of the Tivo remote control, or Peanut as Tivo users like to call it (it's shaped like a big peanut). Control is conducted through your local computer network and can select any Tivo on that network. So I could, for example, control the living room Tivo from my computer in the back room. Not exactly an indispensible utility but it has proven to be suprisingly useful for me. Remote is written in python.
pyTivo (also written in python) serves much the same purpose as Tivo's own Tivo Desktop application but with greater flexibility and functionality. Basically both programs allow the transfer of recordings between Tivo and PC. pyTivo extends functionality to include some video file types not recognized by Tivo Desktop and allows batch processing which automates transfers. For example, pyTivo can be set to automatically transfer all new recordings of a specific show. The program also serves as a directory of recordings on all Tivos on the network.
kmttg is very much like pyTivo but extends batch processing to automate other operations after files are moved to the PC. For example, kmttg could automatically transfer a recording to the PC, process the file with a utility called ComSkip (which identifies where commercials are in the recording) and then send the recording along with the ComSkip data to a third utility called FFmpeg which could convert the original recording to an .mp4 file and cut the commercials out in the process. The batch could even continue to convert the recording (or any other video in your library) to video compatible with an iPhone, iPad or just about any other format you could want.
StreamBaby (written in python) allows recordings on your desktop to be streamed via your local network to your Tivo. It works much like Netflix streaming - showing thumbnails when fast-forwarding or reversing - but includes the ability to jump to any particular time in the recording and even allows transcoding (via the FFmpeg utility) at varying bit rates to accommodate slower wireless networks. (Many people use Streambaby after ripping their DVDs to keep a folder of on-demand movies.)
These handy utilities are all open-source (free!) and enhance the Tivo experience. For more on getting the most from your Tivo, see this thread at the Tivo Community discussion forum.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Replacing Cable (or Satellite) With Internet TV
Well just when I thought I had nothing TV to blog about I found this article about Video On Demand.
I planned for some time to post about the alternatives to cable/satellite television but everytime I started writing I became overwhelmed. I read somewhere that there are over 40 (legitimate) sources for over-the-internet television but, of course, a much smaller number are the most popular choices.
This article from MaximumTech.com gives a brief overview of the services of Amazon Instant Video, Blockbuster on Demand, Cinema Now, Crackle, Vudu, Hulu/HuluPlus, iTunes Store, and Netflix. I tend to agree that these are probably the most relevant of such sources.
In a nutshell, there is a lot of streaming available for movies and selected TV shows. For the latest shows you'll typically pay about $4.00 to rent a movie and about $2.00 for a TV episode - although some TV shows are available for free 24 hours after the show originally airs. Some TV shows are shown with commercials and some are not.
If you have not really kept up-to-date on streaming television sources I think you'll find the MaximumTech article very informative. For now I still prefer cable-delivered television mostly for the quality of picture, convenience and for live sporting events.
I planned for some time to post about the alternatives to cable/satellite television but everytime I started writing I became overwhelmed. I read somewhere that there are over 40 (legitimate) sources for over-the-internet television but, of course, a much smaller number are the most popular choices.
This article from MaximumTech.com gives a brief overview of the services of Amazon Instant Video, Blockbuster on Demand, Cinema Now, Crackle, Vudu, Hulu/HuluPlus, iTunes Store, and Netflix. I tend to agree that these are probably the most relevant of such sources.
In a nutshell, there is a lot of streaming available for movies and selected TV shows. For the latest shows you'll typically pay about $4.00 to rent a movie and about $2.00 for a TV episode - although some TV shows are available for free 24 hours after the show originally airs. Some TV shows are shown with commercials and some are not.
If you have not really kept up-to-date on streaming television sources I think you'll find the MaximumTech article very informative. For now I still prefer cable-delivered television mostly for the quality of picture, convenience and for live sporting events.
No TV - Just stuff
I can't seem to get interested in anything happening on the television scene so, in order to make this blog appear to have a bit of life left, I'll just ramble to myself awhile...
I really like Google Docs. Cloud computing they call it. I don't keep anything on it that could be called a personal/security risk but the ability to view/edit my documents even from my phone is neat. I've spent way too much time building a spreadsheet to log and chart gas mileage, miles driven per month, cost per mile driven, gas prices, etc. That spreadsheet even eases the pain-at-the-gas-pump just because I'm excited to have new numbers to enter when I get home. I also use Gas Cubby on the iPhone which does almost exactly the same thing but one can never be too OCD. What if I died in a horrible accident on the way home and never had the chance to enter the new data in my spreadsheet? After my funeral my friends and family would be all "I wonder what kind of mileage his 4Runner was getting. It's only a few months old. I wonder how much money he spent on gas since the truck was new. Let's look at his Google Docs spreadsheet and find out. Isn't it ironic that he was on his way home from filling up when that Prius ran the redlight and plowed into him?"
I really like Google Docs. Cloud computing they call it. I don't keep anything on it that could be called a personal/security risk but the ability to view/edit my documents even from my phone is neat. I've spent way too much time building a spreadsheet to log and chart gas mileage, miles driven per month, cost per mile driven, gas prices, etc. That spreadsheet even eases the pain-at-the-gas-pump just because I'm excited to have new numbers to enter when I get home. I also use Gas Cubby on the iPhone which does almost exactly the same thing but one can never be too OCD. What if I died in a horrible accident on the way home and never had the chance to enter the new data in my spreadsheet? After my funeral my friends and family would be all "I wonder what kind of mileage his 4Runner was getting. It's only a few months old. I wonder how much money he spent on gas since the truck was new. Let's look at his Google Docs spreadsheet and find out. Isn't it ironic that he was on his way home from filling up when that Prius ran the redlight and plowed into him?"
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