Support article

How to Download Videos From Unbox to a TiVo DVR

Once you’ve established and link your Amazon and TiVo accounts, you can begin downloading videos from Unbox.

Here’s how:

1. Go to Amazon.com, under the Browse section, select “Unbox Video Downloads”.
2. Once at the Amazon Unbox Video Downloads Store, search for TV shows or movies you’d like to purchase or rent.

 REMEMBER: Be sure to take notice if the video is for “purchase” or “rental”.

Not all TV shows and movies are available for download to your TiVo DVR. To help you search for compatible content, you can type "TiVo" in the search bar at the top of the Amazon Unbox homepage. Also, watch for the TiVo icon in the video description. The TiVo icon next to a video tells you that this program is available for download to your TiVo DVR.

3. From the Video Information screen you can preview the video and learn more
about the video before you commit to the purchase or rental.
4. When you’re ready to purchase or rent, make sure the correct TiVo DVR is selected in the “Download to:” drop-down window. 
5. Click on the “1-Click” button.

 CLICK WITH CARE!  Each time you click on the “1-Click” button you are buying or renting another copy of the video you’ve selected.

6. A “Thank You” screen will appear, allowing you to “Continue Shopping” or explore other Unbox features.

The video will now begin downloading to your TiVo DVR.

You can also purchase or rent Amazon Unbox videos from your TiVo DVR

Once your TiVo and Amazon accounts are linked, you can use your DVR to rent or purchase movies and TV programs by browsing the Amazon Unbox lists of available videos.

1. Select "Download TV and Movies" from the Find Programs menu
2. Browse the Amazon Unbox categories (Top Movie Rentals, Top Movies, Latest TV Episodes, Top Foreign Filsm, and others)
3. Select the video you wish to rent or purchase
4. Confirm the purchase or rental price
5. Enter your TiVo Purchase PIN

It’s possible that a video you purchase or rent from Amazon Unbox will be deleted from your TiVo DVR to make room for programs you’ve scheduled to be recorded (i.e. Season Pass). If an Unbox purchase is deleted, you can re-download the video from Your Media Library.

If a rental video is deleted before you were able to watch it, you will need to either re-rent the video or contact Amazon Customer Support.

When renting videos, it’s a good idea to mark the video as “Save Until I Delete” in order to protect it from being deleted before you watch it.

Where can I find a video once it is downloaded to my TiVo DVR?

All downloaded Unbox videos will be found at TiVo Central under the “Now Playing List”, in a folder titled “Amazon Unbox”.

How to Check the Status of Your Video Download

1. While on the “Thank You” screen, select the “Your Media Library” link in the tab bar at the top of the screen. 
2. Sign in, using the email address and password to your Amazon account. 
3. This will bring you to “Your Media Library”, which will display all of the videos you’ve purchased. 

4. To check your current download(s), locate the TiVo DVR listed under “All Your Unbox Videos” in the left panel. 
5. Click on “Download Queue” to confirm that the video is being downloaded.

If a Video Fails to Begin Downloading…

Don’t forget: If you have a new Series2 TiVo DVR, you should wait at least 24 hours after set-up before downloading videos from Unbox. The DVR requires this period of time to properly install the software needed to download video to your DVR.

If your DVR has been in operation for more than 48 hours, it’s important to confirm that your settings are set correctly in order to execute the download.  Check the following:

Does your DVR have the software needed to download video?

Here’s how to check:

1. On your TV, go to TiVo Central
2. Select Messages & Settings
3. Select Account & System Information
4. Under System Information find Software Version
5. Series2 DVRs should have 8.1a, Series3 DVRs should have 8.1.1 in order to download videos

If your DVR Information shows that it is running software other than what is mentioned above, try making a daily call to TiVo.  Here’s how:

1. On your TV, go to TiVo Central
2. Select Messages & Settings
3. Select Settings
4. Select Phone & Network
5. Select Connect to the TiVo service now
6. Wait for connection to be confirmed

After the call is made, re-start your system by going to Messages & Settings and selecting Restart or Reset System.

After system powers back up, re-check the software version under System Information (see instructions above). If software has updated, try downloading a video from Unbox.
If the software hasn’t updated, wait 24 hours to allow the data to load to your DVR.

Is “Enable Video Downloads” selected in your TiVo Preferences?

Here’s how to check:

1. At TiVo.com, go to Manage My Account page and sign in
2. Select DVR Preferences under I Have TiVo! in the left column
3. Find the TiVo DVR that is unable to download video
4. Make sure the Enable Video Downloads box is checked
5. Save Preferences


Otherwise…

1. Wait up to 25 minutes. Re-check status. 
2. Make sure you’ve actually ordered the video by checking digital orders history at Amazon.
3. Check your broadband connection on a PC or other device. Confirm all of the following are working:

• Your broadband connection (ISP issues)
• Your router and cable modem and/or DSL modem
• For wireless networks, confirm your wireless base station is working.

4. Make sure your TiVo DVR’s broadband connection is working, then make a test
call. To learn how, see How Do I Test My Connection to the TiVo Service?

If you’re using a wired or wireless adapter:

1. Unplug the adapter. 
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Plug adapter back in.
4. Re-check status.

You might also try:

1. Go to TiVo Central
2. Go to Programs list
3. Select To Do List
4. Go into View Recording History
5. Check to see if the video is listed in Recorded History

If all else fails…

Call TiVo Customer Support at 877-367-8486 and ask the agent to check your “Opt In” status. Have the agent make sure your DVR is “Opted In”.
An “Opt Out” status will prevent your DVR from receiving video downloads.

If you see a “File Not Found” message:

Try one or both of the following:

• Perform DHCP Troubleshooting:

1. From TiVo Central, select Messages & Settings
2. Go to Restart or Reset System
3. Select Repeat Guided Setup
4. Follow steps to Repeat Guided Setup
5. When you get to IP Address screen, select “Get automatically from a DHCP server (typical)
6. Finish Guided Setup and restart your system

Or

• Reboot your TiVo DVR

If the download has failed because the disc is full, see:
I want to download an Unbox video, but my TiVo DVR is full.

When all else fails, it’s always a good idea to try re-downloading the video from Your Media Library.

If a Video Stops Downloading After Starting…

First, check your TiVo DVR to see if the video has downloaded there. It may be downloaded but not showing as such on the Unbox Download Status page.

If it’s not in your DVR, try one of the following troubleshooting options:

Option One:
Check your broadband connection on a PC or other device. Confirm all of the following are working:

• Your broadband connection (ISP issues)
• Your router and cable modem and/or DSL modem
• For wireless networks, confirm your wireless base station is working.

Option Two:
Make sure your TiVo DVR’s broadband connection is working. Then, make a test call.
Learn more about how to make a test call.

1. Go to TiVo Central
2. Go to Programs list
3. Select To Do List
4. Go into View Recording History
5. Check to see if the video is listed in Recorded History

You may need to delete the video from your DVR and re-download from Unbox. For more, see How to Re-Download Purchased Videos article at the bottom of this page.

If You Receive a “File Not Found” Message…

Try one or all of the following troubleshooting options:

Option One:

1. Unplug the adapter from the back of your DVR
2. Wait one minute
3. Plug back in

Option Two:

1. From your TiVo Central screen, select Messages & Settings
2. Go to Settings
3. Go to Phone & Network
4. Follow process.
5. When “Get IP Address Automatically from DHCP” is offered, hit select.

Option Three:

1. Turn off router
2. Wait one minute
3. Re-start router

Managing Your Video Content

Each movie or TV show purchase from Unbox grants two licenses for a PC or TiVo DVR, and also two licenses for portable players.

These two licenses can be used in the following ways:

PC/DVR                             Portable
1 PC                                  0, 1, or 2 portable players
1 TiVo DVR                        0, 1, or 2 portable players
2 PCs                               0, 1, or 2 portable players
2 TiVo DVRs                      0, 1, or 2 portable players
1 PC and 1 TiVo DVR         0, 1, or 2 portable players

You can also purchase an additional two licenses by re-purchasing the
content.

It’s possible that a video you purchase or rent from Amazon Unbox will be deleted from your TiVo DVR to make room for programs you’ve scheduled to be recorded (i.e. Season Pass). If an Unbox purchase is deleted, you can re-download the video from Your Media Library.

If a rental video is deleted before you were able to watch it, you will need to either re-rent the video or contact Amazon Customer Support.

When renting videos, it’s a good idea to mark the video as “Save Until I Delete” in order to protect it from being deleted before you watch it.

Rental Videos

When you choose to rent a video at Unbox you have 30 days (unless otherwise specified on the product detail page) to watch the video.

After you begin playing a rented video, you will have 24 hours to complete viewing it.

When these expiration times expire, the video will automatically be deleted from Your Media Library and your TiVo DVR’s “Now Playing List".

Purchased Videos

If you purchase Amazon Unbox Video, your rights to view the video do not expire.
These videos are yours to keep.

The license agreement for the videos you purchase allows you to download an Unbox video onto a total of 2 different TiVo DVRs at one time.

How do I move a video from one TiVo DVR to another?

IMPORTANT:  These steps can only be used to transfer purchased videos only.
Rental videos can only be downloaded to one TiVo DVR.

1. Delete the video from your TiVo “Now Playing” list.
2. Go in to Your Media Library.
3. Locate and click on the video you’d like to transfer.
4. A download button will appear in the top right of the window.
5. Use the drop-down menu to select the preferred TiVo DVR.
6. Click “download” button.

Is there a limit to how much I can download to my TiVo DVR?

You are only limited by the space remaining on your TiVo DVR at the time of each Amazon Unbox download.

Amazon Unbox purchases are downloaded to your TiVo DVR at “Best Quality”. This will determine the amount of space used on the specific TiVo DVR to which the video is downloaded.

 REMEMBER: As rented programs expire, and by deleting videos, you can create more space on your TiVo DVR.

I want to download an Unbox video, but my TiVo DVR is full.

1. Make room on your TiVo DVR by deleting any unwanted programs from your “Now Playing” list.
2. Go in to Your Media Library.
3. Locate and click on the video you’d like to transfer.
4. A download button will appear in the top right of the window.
5. Use the drop-down menu to select the preferred TiVo DVR.
6. Click “download” button.

Rented videos will automatically be deleted from your TiVo DVR.

Speed of Video Download

While average download speeds will vary with each computer, some key factors which might affect your video download speed include:

• Your Internet Provider and the service package you’ve purchased.
• Wired v. Wireless connection
• The length of video being downloaded

The average download of a 2 two-hour video may take between 1-4 hours, depending on your network connection and other factors. If you have questions about your connectivity, contact your ISP or Internet service provider.

If your DVR is on wireless, this will take significantly longer.

If you are frequently purchasing videos, you might want to consider upgrading your service through your broadband provider. This will improve the speed of your video downloads.

How to Re-Download Purchased Videos

Once a purchased Unbox video is deleted from your TiVo DVR you can re-download that video at anytime.

 The one exception: Due to restrictions from the video rights holders, most newly released movies will occasionally become temporarily unavailable for re-download from Your Media Library – even after they’ve already been purchased.

During this “Pay-TV Blackout Window” certain programs will be temporarily unavailable from the Unbox catalog and Your Media Library. This happens during the program’s run on a pay-cable channel.

The video will be automatically replaced and made available to you through Your Media Library once the “Pay-TV Blackout Window” has ended.

How to re-download a purchased video:

1. From the Unbox homepage, click on the “Your Media Library” tab.
2. Sign in, using your Amazon email address and password.
3. The “All Your Unbox Videos” page will appear, showing you a complete list of your purchased and rented videos. Click on the image of the video you’d like to re-download.
4. A details window will open. Click on the “Download” tab.

The video will now begin re-downloading to your TiVo DVR.