PyTivo Install Instructions

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I love pyTivo but the windows install instructions are getting a bit spread around for new users… so here’s the best I could bring it together:

  1. Download & Install Python 2.x using defaults (3.x doesn’t work) http://www.python.org/download/
  2. IF you want to use the photo plugin (requires 32bit Python) install it too http://www.pythonware.com/products/pil/index.htm
  3. Download & Use the outdated but setup friendly pyTivo-wmcbrine-2009.03.19-RC1.zip windows installer http://pytivo.sourceforge.net/forum/updated-windows-installer-2009-03-21-t512.html#3957
  4. Download the latest .zip version (top right of shortlog) of pyTivo to updated the files from #3 http://repo.or.cz/w/pyTivo/wmcbrine.git
  5. Shut down pyTivo if running (may be running as a windows service)
  6. Extract the .zip over the existing \Program Files\pyTivo\ (this should overwrite the old files)
  7. Grab the latest build of ffmpeg (currently 1.01) from 2nd post in this thread http://pytivo.sourceforge.net/forum/rdian06-s-ffmpeg-builds-t468.html
  8. Extract the .zip and overwrite the old ffmpeg.exe in \Program Files\pyTivo\bin\
  9. IF you want to be able to push .tivo files grab the special version of tivodecode in this thread http://pytivo.sourceforge.net/forum/tivodecode-support-t831.html
  10. Drop tivodecode into \Program Files\pyTivo\bin\.  To use tivodecode you must set your Media Access Key in your pyTivo.conf under the Server section (“tivo_mak”).
  11. Add a Windows Firewall exception for UDP 5353 so that Windows won’t block pyTivo’s new zeroconf share announcements.  (The most common reason pyTivo shares don’t show up or disappear from the Now Playing list on the Tivo is firewall blockages)
  12. Move the pyTivo.conf file from \Shared Documents\pyTivo\ to \Program Files\pyTivo\
  13. Startup pyTivo & enjoy!

rdian06’s Notes: In later wmcbrine versions, the web interface has been restructured. The web admin plugin has been split into two parts: configuration and TivoToGo. Likewise, the Push and TivoToGo interfaces are hidden by default.

  • An Admin section is no longer needed in your pyTivo.conf you may remove it.
  • To make the TivoToGo web interface visible, you need to add your tivo_mak and togo_path to the Server section of the pyTivo.conf.
  • To make the Push web interface visible, you need to add the tivo_username and tivo_password settings to the Server section of your pyTivo.conf.

Without those settings, the TivoToGo and Push parts of the web interface are not usable and therefore automatically hidden.

Other Tips:

Another Great Quote

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Often attributed to Abraham Lincoln, it was actually an introduction by William J. H. Boetcker in his 1942 work Lincoln On Limitations.  Many readers wrongly assumed these statements were also from Lincoln.  However the lack of a deceased presidential attribution doesn’t make the statements any less true.

You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong
You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away man’s initiative and independence.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they will not do for themselves.

Longitude and Latitude on Google Maps the Easy Way

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There are times in life you want to find the longitude and latitude of a known location.  Google maps does everything else well – why not this?  Soon you discover that what was once a feature of GMaps is now gone.  Searching the web brings up a way to center the google map and grab the url and paste it into a javascript and … who has time for all that nonsense???

Here’s the easy way:  Go here and click on the map. Done.

You can even change the default location by clicking the “set” button and bookmarking the new url.

iPad Alternatives

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Today is the day that many have longed for since the announcement of the ifamous iPad! However if you are less than impressed with the XL iPod Touch… I have compiled a pretty complete listing of your other options that are currently -or soon to be- out.

To limit the scope of an otherwise giant listing, I have only compiled slate style (keyboardless) devices with screens of 5 to 12 inches.  If I missed one let me know at staff [at] this domain.com and I’ll add it in.

We’ve added a link at top of the site for easy reference.