Comments on: Toast 8 Titanium with TiVo Transfer http://www.maccast.com/2007/01/28/toast-8-titanium-with-tivo-transfer/ For MacGeeks by MacGeeks Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:33:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: KWagner http://www.maccast.com/2007/01/28/toast-8-titanium-with-tivo-transfer/comment-page-1/#comment-28749 KWagner Wed, 31 Jan 2007 13:38:44 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2007/01/28/toast-8-titanium-with-tivo-transfer/#comment-28749 The Tivo transfer works, but the result isn't optimal. As stated, it transfers in real time (2hr show takes almost 2hrs - wired or wireless connection makes no difference). The view quality on the Mac isn't all that great, even when the show was recoded on the Tivo in best quality. Encoding/burning a 2 hour DVD with Toast takes roughly 5hours (both on an old G4 and InteliMac machine). For anyone wanting to make DVD's of shows they record, a better alternative would be a DVR with a built in DVD burner. If quality is a concern, I'd recommend using the Tivo as a simple video source connected to some third party digitizing hardware (EyeTV, Canopus ADVC units, etc.) These units allow for real time video capture into iMove then burn the DVD with iDVD. If starting with a good quality source (Tivo set at high quality recording, VHS tape, etc.) the final result is much better than using Tivo transfer and Toast, and encoding in iDVD is faster as well. The downside is the hardware cost ($150 and up), as well as needing lots of hard drive space for the interim files. (I use a Canopus ADVC300, and an hour of video in iMovie takes up roughly 20 gigs.) In general, I’d consider the Toast 8/Tivo Transfer bundle to be a good for a ‘first release’ piece of software. The pro’s are that is does work as advertised, the con’s are Tivo transfer speed (??possible hardware limitation on the Tivo unit itself??), the DVD encode time (Roxio – what is the optimum hardware configuration to minimize encode time??), and the quality. With regard to quality, I have not tried any of the ‘advanced’ settings in Toast to see if the quality can be enhanced (may require recording something less than two hours of content per DVD). Regards, K. Wagner The Tivo transfer works, but the result isn’t optimal. As stated, it transfers in real time (2hr show takes almost 2hrs – wired or wireless connection makes no difference). The view quality on the Mac isn’t all that great, even when the show was recoded on the Tivo in best quality.

Encoding/burning a 2 hour DVD with Toast takes roughly 5hours (both on an old G4 and InteliMac machine). For anyone wanting to make DVD’s of shows they record, a better alternative would be a DVR with a built in DVD burner.

If quality is a concern, I’d recommend using the Tivo as a simple video source connected to some third party digitizing hardware (EyeTV, Canopus ADVC units, etc.) These units allow for real time video capture into iMove then burn the DVD with iDVD. If starting with a good quality source (Tivo set at high quality recording, VHS tape, etc.) the final result is much better than using Tivo transfer and Toast, and encoding in iDVD is faster as well. The downside is the hardware cost ($150 and up), as well as needing lots of hard drive space for the interim files. (I use a Canopus ADVC300, and an hour of video in iMovie takes up roughly 20 gigs.)

In general, I’d consider the Toast 8/Tivo Transfer bundle to be a good for a ‘first release’ piece of software. The pro’s are that is does work as advertised, the con’s are Tivo transfer speed (??possible hardware limitation on the Tivo unit itself??), the DVD encode time (Roxio – what is the optimum hardware configuration to minimize encode time??), and the quality.

With regard to quality, I have not tried any of the ‘advanced’ settings in Toast to see if the quality can be enhanced (may require recording something less than two hours of content per DVD).

Regards,
K. Wagner

]]> By: scottmc http://www.maccast.com/2007/01/28/toast-8-titanium-with-tivo-transfer/comment-page-1/#comment-28675 scottmc Wed, 31 Jan 2007 04:06:02 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2007/01/28/toast-8-titanium-with-tivo-transfer/#comment-28675 Well, I have to say that for me so far, Tivo Transfer either a) reboots my TIVO after a few minutes of transfer, b) crashes on the Mac after a few minutes of transfer, or c) both. Not ready for at least *my* real world, I guess. Well, I have to say that for me so far, Tivo Transfer either a) reboots my TIVO after a few minutes of transfer, b) crashes on the Mac after a few minutes of transfer, or c) both.

Not ready for at least *my* real world, I guess.

]]> By: James http://www.maccast.com/2007/01/28/toast-8-titanium-with-tivo-transfer/comment-page-1/#comment-28484 James Tue, 30 Jan 2007 03:20:16 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2007/01/28/toast-8-titanium-with-tivo-transfer/#comment-28484 The upgrade price from 7 was reasonable and I especially like the extra $6 off at checkout. I bought the application for the Tivo function but the other "Extra" features as Roxio calls them really was a home run for me. I do a lot of audio recording and the "Spin Doctor" application for me is most useful. The Disc Cataloguer application was also a nice surprise. Too bad I just spent $30 on similar software! If you have Toast 7 you are going to be pleasantly surprised with 8! The upgrade price from 7 was reasonable and I especially like the extra $6 off at checkout. I bought the application for the Tivo function but the other “Extra” features as Roxio calls them really was a home run for me. I do a lot of audio recording and the “Spin Doctor” application for me is most useful. The Disc Cataloguer application was also a nice surprise. Too bad I just spent $30 on similar software! If you have Toast 7 you are going to be pleasantly surprised with 8!

]]> By: Shaun http://www.maccast.com/2007/01/28/toast-8-titanium-with-tivo-transfer/comment-page-1/#comment-28444 Shaun Mon, 29 Jan 2007 23:58:22 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2007/01/28/toast-8-titanium-with-tivo-transfer/#comment-28444 Has Motion Pictures been improved/enhanced? The one with Toast 7 crashed a lot during the "make movie" operation. Thanks, Shaun Has Motion Pictures been improved/enhanced? The one with Toast 7 crashed a lot during the “make movie” operation. Thanks,
Shaun

]]> By: tmack http://www.maccast.com/2007/01/28/toast-8-titanium-with-tivo-transfer/comment-page-1/#comment-28382 tmack Mon, 29 Jan 2007 16:07:46 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2007/01/28/toast-8-titanium-with-tivo-transfer/#comment-28382 I don't have a TiVo either, but I do have a DVR. I wonder if this or any other app would work with it? Great review, keep them up! I don’t have a TiVo either, but I do have a DVR. I wonder if this or any other app would work with it?

Great review, keep them up!

]]> By: paul http://www.maccast.com/2007/01/28/toast-8-titanium-with-tivo-transfer/comment-page-1/#comment-28314 paul Mon, 29 Jan 2007 08:21:32 +0000 http://www.maccast.com/2007/01/28/toast-8-titanium-with-tivo-transfer/#comment-28314 Nice write-up. Too bad I don't have a Tivo :( If anyone is interested in some of the other new functionality in Toast 8, I reviewed it over on my site. <a href="http://www.onedigitallife.com/2007/01/25/toast-8-is-a-solid-upgrade/" rel="nofollow">LINK</a> Nice write-up. Too bad I don’t have a Tivo :(

If anyone is interested in some of the other new functionality in Toast 8, I reviewed it over on my site. LINK

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