TiVoToGo

Desktop will let you transfer .TiVo files from your DVR, and will transfer .TiVo files and properly formatted MPEG-2 files to your DVR.  Both versions are the same as far as the ability to publish music and photos.

The Plus upgrade adds the ability to set up auto transfers, and unlocks a bunch of codecs written by MainConcept.  You will then be able to convert your files for portable devices like an iPod, and convert several other video formats like webcasts or home videos and transfer them to your DVR.  See http://support.tivo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/193 for a list of supported devices and formats.

Plus also gives you all of the codecs necessary to play the files on your PC.  Depending on your operating system and other video software like a DVD player that you already have, you may not need them but IMO it's worth the $25 just to have them.

Can anyone help me figure out why auto-transfers won't work?  I have seen many threads about this on here, but none have given me insight as to why mine don't go.  Is there some common thing that people are doing wrong that I have missed?

Thanks

Auto-transfers depend on the ability of your PC and your DVRs to talk to the TiVo mothership on port 8181.  Most problems usually boil down to a firewall issue or an incorrect username/password in the "Link to my TiVo Account" option in Desktop.  I'd check both of those and post back with more details if you can't get it working.

Thanks, will do.  Any advice on what to look for in the firewall?  I just use the windows one.

I use Windows firewall too.  I'm sure that you could find a lot of people that would disagree with me, but that's all I need when combined with good antivirus and antispyware.  The nice thing is that with Windows firewall, Desktop sets up the necessary exceptions during installation.  With third-party firewalls you have to figure it out on your own.

Hmmm, well then I am not sure what else to do--I have Windows firewall, and I have checked my user name and password several times to no avail.  Do you know if I have to have the Media Access Key from the new Tivo entered, or if I am ok as long as I have one MAK entered in Desktop?

You should have only one MAK for all TiVo DVRs on the same account.  Desktop will only work with the DVRs whose MAK matches the one entered into TiVo Desktop.

Will this upgrade allow the transfer of video to and from a SanDisk Sansa MP3/Video Player?

It can create MPEG-4 and H.264 files, both of which are supported by the Sansa View.  It should be a perfect fit, but I don't have any personal experience with that player.