Roxio sent out an email today with a new set of coupon codes. Since Roxio makes the only officially sanctioned software with TiVoToGo support, they could be useful for TiVo users picking up the software.

Through 9/30/08 save 10% site wide on Roxio.com: SAVE10ROX
Through 8/15/08 save $20 on Roxio Easy Media Creator 10: C10SAVE20
Through 9/30/08 same $20 on MyDVD 10 Premier: MDVDSAVE20

And a couple of non-coupon deals:
While supplies last buy Popcorn 3 and get a free T-shirt.
Through 9/30/08 save $20 when you buy Toast 9 and the HD/Blu-ray Plug-in together.

The Mac Observer reports that Roxio has released updates for both Toast 8 Titanium and Toast 9 Titanium, the new versions being 8.0.4 and 9.0.2, respectively. The updates include fixes for several TiVo audio and video sync issues. 9.0.2 also includes updates for improved Blu-ray support, and high-definition DVD support for PS3 playback. 8.0.4 includes a fix for EyeTV recordings not being visible in the Media Browser.

The update comes less than two weeks since Roxio first released Toast 9 Titanium, and just over a week since they asked for TiVo users to assist in debugging the issues.

One of the open questions with Roxio Toast 9 is if it solved the outstanding issues with TiVoToGo experienced by users of Toast 8. Well, Roxio responded to Dave Zatz at Zatz Not Funny via a comment:

Roxio PR

We did indeed believe that we had addressed all the sync issues in Toast 9 and were planning to issue an update for Toast 8 customers. Post launch, we have become aware that some problems persist. As a result, we are going through the process of acquiring the problematic files and working to resolve any remaining issues. We fully intend to continue to work through all the issues and update Toast 9 and Toast 8 customers as required. We are asking for Toast 9 customers’ assistance. If a Toast 9 customer has experienced sync issues, we ask that they email TivoFiles@roxio.com, as we would like to acquire and test the problematic file.

Thank you.

So it sounds like Toast 9 has improved things, but not completely resolved them. If you have Toast 9 and are experiencing trouble, you have a chance to help get things fixed.

And it is nice to hear that Roxio intends to issue a fix for Toast 8 users as well, so they won’t be forced to upgrade to Toast 9 just to get the fix.

Roxio has rolled out their latest update to their flagship Mac product, Toast 9 Titanium. This new version will set you back $99.99 for new users, or $79.99 as an upgrade for existing users. Toast 9 offers full support for high-definition video, and the ability to burn Blu-ray Discs, via a $19.99 HD/BD plug-in. But if you purchase Toast 9 through April 13, you get the plug-in for free.

Toast 9 also introduces Roxio Streamer, which allows you to stream your video to any Internet connected PC or Mac, as well as connected devices such as the iPhone or iPod Touch. Kind of like having a Slingbox for your Mac videos. It also offers the ability to capture streaming audio, such as recording Internet radio, with automatic tagging of the recordings.

What remains to be seen is if Toast 9 Titanium resolves the TiVoToGo issues users of Toast 8 have been experiencing. I don’t have a Mac, so I can’t comment on that. But if anyone out there has been having issues with Toast 8 and you decide to upgrade to Toast 9, leave a comment either way. For that matter, anyone who upgrades to Toast 9, let us know what you think. Is it worth it?

Roxio’s press release:
Read the rest of this entry »

It seems the TiVoToGo problems reported with Roxio software on the Mac last November still linger. While a patch was issued in November, it seems that it didn’t resolve the issues for all users. Today both Zatz Not Funny and CNET News.com wrote about the troubles. ZNF cited this post at TiVoCommunity made by Roxio rep patatrox yesterday:

We’ve been running a limited beta with a small number of users from the forums to test an update to both Toast 8 Titanium and Popcorn 3 and we’ve had positive results. We’re going to expand the testing for more users who are still having audio/video sync issues, please send me an e-mail to toastfeedback@roxio.com.

We’re going to extend this to about 50 users from TiVoCommunity.com and after a short time if feedback is positive move towards releasing this as an official update. Please keep in mind I will only be contacting users who are accepted for testing.

Please include the following information:
- Name
- Product you own (Toast 8 or Popcorn 3)
- TiVo Service Number (TSN)

If you’re having trouble with Roxio Toast or Popcorn and TiVoToGo on your Mac, you might want to jump on that.

TiVo made a statement to News.com for their article:

“It is important to us that all TiVo subscribers using TiVoToGo receive the same great TiVo experience whether they are utilizing a PC or Mac,” the company said in a statement to News.com. “It has been brought to our attention that a small subset of customers using Toast 8 have experienced a problem when trying to transfer their shows. We have been working with our partner Roxio and currently have a fix in beta.”

Roxio product manager Patrick Nugent said that they’ve been working with TiVo to fix the issues an that it affects “a small number of users.” He also said that it has been difficult to fix because it has been hard to reproduce and it doesn’t happen with ever recording.

Hopefully the code now in testing will be the final fix. Of course, there are other alternatives for Mac users. Such as the TiVo NowPlaying Widget, SeasonPassGetter, TiVoDecode Manager, and others.

PC Magazine seems to have received early access to TiVo press release due to hit Monday, as they’re reporting on new features coming in TiVo Desktop Plus 2.6. Desktop Plus 2.6 will bring support for web video to the TiVo in a more seamless fashion. Users will be able to subscribe to their favorite video blogs’ RSS feeds and the software will automatically download the videos and prepare them for playback on the TiVo. Even better, high-definition web video will remain HD when played back on the Series3 or TiVo HD. And one that that should make a lot of users happy - 2.6 will reportedly bring support for folders to help keep videos organized. The lack of folder support in TiVo Desktop has long been a complaint from users.

The downside is that the software won’t be available until March, and it will keep the same $24.95 price as today’s Plus upgrade. Note that Plus upgrades are transferable, so if you already have it you’ll be able to use it in 2.6 when it is released. Mac users aren’t being left out either - Roxio Toast 9 will offer similar features for them, also in March. No word on if the next version of Roxio Popcorn will see similar updates.

EDIT: It seems PCMag was talking out of school. There is a Mac solution in the works, but at this time there is no official word on what form it will take or when it will be available.

The press release will probably hit the wire in the morning, and I’ll see what they have on display at the show when it opens.

EDIT: Here’s the official press release.

From 12/27 through 12/31 Buy.com is having a sale on Roxio Toast 8 Titanium. While MSRP is $99.99, Buy.com is selling it for $57.99, and a $20 mail-in rebate brings it down to $37.99. Roxio Toast is the premier CD/DVD burning software for the Mac, and it has support for TiVo built-in. If you use a Mac and you just got a TiVo, of vice-versa, you might want to grab this deal.