The difference between the major Extraction tools

[mackaframa]

Okay....

(For reference this is what I have done so far:
1. I have a Philips DSR-704 (40 GB Series 2 DTivo)
2. I bought the S2 SA InstaCake CD from PTV and the Enhanced Boot Iso
3. I pulled the image from the instacake cd.
4. After not having success with this guide http://nh-gym.com/4xrid.htm , I did some searching and discover that I needed a 3.1.1c series2 kernel, and I had to killirdinitd it....
5. After completing this, I got a USB200M, and telnet'd in and installed superpatch as instructed in the guide, and then I installed TiVoWebPlus.)

One more disclaimer.....

Also...I have put all my questions in BOLD. I am VERY familar with both forum ettiquitte (that I need to search first), and I understand the 'know what you are doing concept' (which is why it took me 5 days to complete the guide the first time, and 15 minutes the next time)...though I have had exposure to basic unix commands in the past (long ago), this whole episode is my first extended experience with linux. Please know that any question that I have asked, I have already attempt to search and either found no answer, ambigious answers, dated (no longer correct) answers, incomplete answers, or simply incorrect answers that didn't get corrected until like page 40 of a 50-page thread :mad:


Here's where I stand right now....

I can Telnet, FTP, and TivoWebPlus is running, and I can pull in all lists and guides, but I cannot watch or extract anything.


I looking for the proper extraction utility.

First I tried mfs_ftp, it APPEARED that it had properly extracted the files at the bash prompt as directed in the instructions, but the files did not show to be there after doing 'ls' to see them....I checked my read/write settings and tried again, but it was the same result so I extracted them on the PC, and ftp'd them in the location that they were supposed to be extracted to.

I still could not do it. maybe I just dont' know how mfs_ftp is used. Is it a standalone program? If so, how is it launched? Is it simply a module for Tivoweb? Is it a module that allows direct ftp access to recording?


Next, I tried mfs_stream after wading through the cryptic instructions, I THOUGHT I finally got all the files placed, replaced, and manipulated properly, (including getting the s2 binaries), and then I went to edit the rc.sysinit file as instructed to add the http port and stream assignment command, and my machine would not boot. I removed the command and was able to boot back up. After this scare is when I came across some post that said mfs_stream was outdated anyway.

So is it outdated? Does it have some unmentioned problem with my setup (4.x compatibility maybe)? SHould I just forget it and use a different method?....Or is there something else wrong?

When I click mfsstream in TivoWeb, I get a long error message with what looks to be incomplete scripts (I'll post the exact output when I get home tonight).

I was about to try TyTool, but in it's install instructions it referred to making more init file edits, and I was afriad to change something I couldn't fix (and it was 2AM) so I quit.

In closing...here are a few more questions

After completing the guide as show above, what all is installed with busybox, tivotool, and the superpatch?

If the above doesn't contain a good extraction/viewing utility which one is best ( I understand that this might be a 'personal' preference' isuue, but that is what I am looking for)?

Where do I find UPDATED, CORRECT versions of files and installation instructions for EACH tool?


Please respond to all or in part to any of the questions I have posted. Your input is very much appreciated.

Thanks,

mack

[captain_video]

All of the extraction tools you mentioned require files that are installed on both the Tivo and your PC. In order for them to function properly you will need to connect to your Tivo via telnet session and initiate the Tivo side files manually or set them up to be started automatically upon bootup. Once you've got them running on the Tivo side you can then connect using the appropriate PC utility (FTP program for mfs_ftp, TyStudio, web browser for TivoWeb, or TyTools) and begin the extraction process.

The easiest extraction utility to install and set up has got to be TyTools. Extract the tserver and NowShowing.tcl files from the TyTools zip file that corresponds to your type of Tivo and transfer them over to the Tivo in a directory of your choosing. Navigate to the directory you transferred them to and make them both executable with the chmod command (chmod 755 tserver Nowshowing.tcl). Initiate the tserver utility by typing in ./tserver at the command prompt and press Enter. Open up the TyTools GUI on your PC and enter the Tivo's IP address at the top. Set up the program to specify the target directory you want the files extracted to and then press the Refresh button. The Now Showing list should appear after a short wait. Set up the transfer type for TyStream extraction in the File pulldown menu. Highlight the files you want to extract and press the Get button. The files should start transferring to your PC.

There are several How Tos and tutorials posted for using TyTools but you should be able to figure it out by reading the docs that are included in the zip file.

[eastwind]

Assuming you have your recordings not being encrytped.....(I don't read guides for S2's yet), I suggest using TyTool (current version 9r18--look in the extraction forum). No editting of the init scripts is necessary. Basic instructions are linked on the Help Menu and more details can be found at http://www.tytool.com/TyTemplates/FAQ/default.aspx. The server (once installed) can be started from the client--thus no need to edit your init files. Make sure that you transfer all files in BINARY format and make them executable. Set the Execute String from the Server Menu on the client to point to you individual installation point for both the server and the NowShowing.tcl files. Adjust the local dircetory to where you want the files stored. Start the server and hit the REFRESH button on the client. You'll see the list of all show on the TiVo and you can pick what you want to extract then hit the GET button. Read some more to figure out the rest of it.


ew

[mackaframa]

All of the extraction tools you mentioned require files that are installed on both the Tivo and your PC. In order for them to function properly you will need to connect to your Tivo via telnet session and initiate the Tivo side files manually or set them up to be started automatically upon bootup. Once you've got them running on the Tivo side you can then connect using the appropriate PC utility (FTP program for mfs_ftp, TyStudio, web browser for TivoWeb, or TyTools) and begin the extraction process.

The easiest extraction utility to install and set up has got to be TyTools. Extract the tserver and NowShowing.tcl files from the TyTools zip file that corresponds to your type of Tivo and transfer them over to the Tivo in a directory of your choosing. Navigate to the directory you transferred them to and make them both executable with the chmod command (chmod 755 tserver Nowshowing.tcl). Initiate the tserver utility by typing in ./tserver at the command prompt and press Enter. Open up the TyTools GUI on your PC and enter the Tivo's IP address at the top. Set up the program to specify the target directory you want the files extracted to and then press the Refresh button. The Now Showing list should appear after a short wait. Set up the transfer type for TyStream extraction in the File pulldown menu. Highlight the files you want to extract and press the Get button. The files should start transferring to your PC.

There are several How Tos and tutorials posted for using TyTools but you should be able to figure it out by reading the docs that are included in the zip file.


Thanks for your assistance.

Followup question.....

Does it matter where I put the startup command? rc.sysinit? rc.sysinit.author? rc.sysinit.twp?

And in the editor when I add it, do the launch commands have to run as part of a subroutine, or can I just type them in as if I was at the bash prompt?

do I have to leave any spaces in front of the command ( I know some scripts don't recognize the first few columns of text)

I have been trying to read error output from the serial cable that I made (with instructions from this site), but I do not know how to access the TiVo with it. I have searched a little on this (and will more). But right now if I don't boot, I'm flying blind.

[mackaframa]

Assuming you have your recordings not being encrytped.....(I don't read guides for S2's yet), I suggest using TyTool (current version 9r18--look in the extraction forum). No editting of the init scripts is necessary. Basic instructions are linked on the Help Menu and more details can be found at http://www.tytool.com/TyTemplates/FAQ/default.aspx. The server (once installed) can be started from the client--thus no need to edit your init files. Make sure that you transfer all files in BINARY format and make them executable. Set the Execute String from the Server Menu on the client to point to you individual installation point for both the server and the NowShowing.tcl files. Adjust the local dircetory to where you want the files stored. Start the server and hit the REFRESH button on the client. You'll see the list of all show on the TiVo and you can pick what you want to extract then hit the GET button. Read some more to figure out the rest of it.


ew

Thanks....from my experience with unix in the past, I understand the concept of transfering files in binary mode. Then (years and years ago), it was done with a text command (bin) during an ftp session, but now I am using an IE browser windows as my ftp client, and am not sure if it does a binary transfer, nor how to change it so it does (I'll look into this tonight). I have limited experience with the dos2unix, and unix2dos commands, but don't know whether or not they apply to linux.

And by "make them executable" I assume you mean to use the "chmod" command. I remember it as well, and have seen it used in guides and readme's, but I do not understand the difference between the 755 and the +x options (I'll look into this as well).

[mackaframa]

All of the extraction tools you mentioned require files that are installed on both the Tivo and your PC. In order for them to function properly you will need to connect to your Tivo via telnet session and initiate the Tivo side files manually or set them up to be started automatically upon bootup. Once you've got them running on the Tivo side you can then connect using the appropriate PC utility (FTP program for mfs_ftp, TyStudio, web browser for TivoWeb, or TyTools) and begin the extraction process.

The easiest extraction utility to install and set up has got to be TyTools. Extract the tserver and NowShowing.tcl files from the TyTools zip file that corresponds to your type of Tivo and transfer them over to the Tivo in a directory of your choosing. Navigate to the directory you transferred them to and make them both executable with the chmod command (chmod 755 tserver Nowshowing.tcl). Initiate the tserver utility by typing in ./tserver at the command prompt and press Enter. Open up the TyTools GUI on your PC and enter the Tivo's IP address at the top. Set up the program to specify the target directory you want the files extracted to and then press the Refresh button. The Now Showing list should appear after a short wait. Set up the transfer type for TyStream extraction in the File pulldown menu. Highlight the files you want to extract and press the Get button. The files should start transferring to your PC.

There are several How Tos and tutorials posted for using TyTools but you should be able to figure it out by reading the docs that are included in the zip file.

Okay....I did this, and everything was going great put when TyTool went to get the NowShowing list

TyTool said:

Sorry.. Could not obtain the list.

The telnet terminal says:

SERVER: We got a message! buf = 'SHOWING'
invalid attribute: TimeZone
while executing
"dbobj $setup get TimeZone"
("uplevel" body line 5)
invoked from within
"uplevel $body"
invoked from within
"transaction {uplevel $body}"
(procedure "RetryTransaction" line 5)
invoked from within
"RetryTransaction {
set setup [db $db open /Setup]

# set defrecquality [dbobj $setup get RecordQuality]
set setuptz [dbobj $setup ..."
(procedure "init_db" line 45)
invoked from within
"init_db"
(file "./NowShowing.tcl" line 480)



Any suggestions? I saw the time Zone error, and wwent into my settings and changed it from auto-detect to explicitly choosing my timezone and that did not help....Also...I get this exact same error when I click MFSStream in Tivoweb

[captain_video]

Using 755 for the chmod command vs. the +x just applies permissions to the individual users rather than making it executable across the board with the +x option. Either one will work fine. The DOS2UNIX program is used to convert an ASCII file to UNIX format. If you open up a UNIX file in Notepad or Wordpad to edit it you will need to use DOS2UNIX to get rid of the extra characters added by those text editing programs. It's always best to use a text editor like TextPad than can save the file in UNIX format so you can avoid the extra step.

You can insert the startup steps in either rc.sysinit or rc.sysinit.author. Most people like to use rc.sysinit.author for adding their hack commands. It's called during the execution of rc.sysinit so it's really a matter of when you want the hack to start in the boot sequence. It's probably a good idea to let the Tivo complete the boot cycle before mucking with it anyway unless you're checking the boot logs so it shouldn't matter where you place the start commands.

Make sure you're using the correct version of NowShowing.tcl for your Tivo version. You may want to post the specific question about your error in the TyTools sticky thread in the extraction forum so jdiner can respond to it. He ventures out of that area on occasion but you'll have a better chance of getting an answer from him in his support thread.

[mackaframa]

Using 755 for the chmod command vs. the +x just applies permissions to the individual users rather than making it executable across the board with the +x option. Either one will work fine. The DOS2UNIX program is used to convert an ASCII file to UNIX format. If you open up a UNIX file in Notepad or Wordpad to edit it you will need to use DOS2UNIX to get rid of the extra characters added by those text editing programs. It's always best to use a text editor like TextPad than can save the file in UNIX format so you can avoid the extra step.

You can insert the startup steps in either rc.sysinit or rc.sysinit.author. Most people like to use rc.sysinit.author for adding their hack commands. It's called during the execution of rc.sysinit so it's really a matter of when you want the hack to start in the boot sequence. It's probably a good idea to let the Tivo complete the boot cycle before mucking with it anyway unless you're checking the boot logs so it shouldn't matter where you place the start commands.

Make sure you're using the correct version of NowShowing.tcl for your Tivo version. You may want to post the specific question about your error in the TyTools sticky thread in the extraction forum so jdiner can respond to it. He ventures out of that area on occasion but you'll have a better chance of getting an answer from him in his support thread.


Thanks...a little more searching has led me to the NowShowing.tcl file that I needed...I am headed to the Extraction forum to find the answer to my next issue before I post.