TiVo launched a new initiative Monday that lets customers transfer shows from its DVRs to a Windows-based desktop, media player, laptop or other portable device.

The service, dubbed "TiVoToGo" is available through the company's networked TiVo Series2 DVRs and is automatically included with a paid subscription. The service is rolling out via TiVo's latest update (version 7.1-X) and also requires the latest version of its free TiVo Desktop as well as an appropriate codec and Media Access Key.

The long-awaited launch fits in with the company's vision of taking downloaded content outside of the living room. While the service is originally slated for its own networks, TiVo said it would eventually like to make the service available over the general Internet.

"Portability is a key desire for TiVo subscribers," David Sandford, director of technology and licensing business at TiVo, said in a statement. "TiVoToGo enables the secure transfer of broadcast content from a TiVo box to a personal media player and allows consumers to enjoy their TV shows anywhere, in the living room, on a plane, or in a hotel."

Transfer times will vary depending on the quality setting for the recording on the TiVo box and the speed of the network connection, the company said, and several shows could also be set for transfer at one time.

The company said DVD Recorders licensed with TiVo technology such as Humax, Pioneer and Toshiba models do not have TiVoToGo capabilities but that should change soon. The company also said DIRECTV DVRs with TiVo are not TiVoToGo compatible.

The PC or portable device that receives the content needs to be running Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP and powered by at least a 233 MHz processor with 128 MB RAM, 25 MB free disk space for TiVo Desktop installation and enough free disk space for transferred shows - at least 500MB.

These specifications would allow the service to work on a new category of PC that offers all the power of a desktop in a form factor not much bigger than a large handheld. For more on two of these devicse, one from Sony and the other from a startup called OQO, see bellow.

TiVo said customers will eventually be able to burn their TiVo-To-Go transfers to DVD, courtesy of the purchase of Sonic Solutions MyDVD software. TiVo said it is offering a free trial to a downloadable version of Sonic MyDVD later this month and will update customers when the full version comes out if they sign up for an e-mail alert.

TiVo said its transfers are legal when used for personal, non-commercial use. The company said it has taken deliberate steps to protect the content and will cancel a subscription and even take legal action if it finds a customer in violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

TiVo is expected to highlight the new service during this week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Pocket-Sized PCs
At little over a pound (1.21 lbs), Sony's VAIO U weighs considerably more than your average handheld. And at 6.6 x 4.3 x 1.04-inches, it is quite a bit larger than a PDA, but considerably smaller than most mobile computers (Tablet or laptop). In fact, Sony boasts that the new PC is smaller than your average paperback, claiming that it is even pocketable.

Instead of a flimsy cardboard cover like a paperback, the top of the $2,000 VAIO U is a touch-panel screen that measures 5 inches and supports a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels at a 16-bit color depth for 65,536 colors. Inside the device are a 1.10 GHz Intel Pentium M processor, 512 MB or RAM, a 20GB hard disk, and an Intel 855GM graphics controller with 64 MB of video RAM.

For connectivity, you get 802.11g Wi-Fi wireless networking and an Ethernet adapter. Other features consist of Memory Stick and Compact Flash slots, thumb controls, and the ability to switch between portrait and landscape viewing on the fly. (For more on the Sony VAIO U, see Sony to Release Handheld-Sized Windows XP PC.)

OQO's 14 ounce Model 01 runs Windows XP like the Sony. It weighs a mere 14 ounces-twice your average handheld but far less than a laptop-and measures only 4.9 x 3.4 x 0.9 inches. It too can fit into a shirt pocket.

The unit runs on a 1GHz Transmeta Crusoe processor with 20GB hard drive and 256MB of RAM. Its 800 x 480 pixel resolution 5-inch touchscreen is supported by 3D accelerated graphics with 8MB video RAM. For input, you get a thumb-keyboard with mouse buttons, a TrackStik (mini joystick), a thumbwheel, and a stylus.

In terms of connectivity, the OQC offers 802.11b Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless as well as FireWire and USB. There is also a 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack for listening to audio. (For more on the OQO, see OQO Handheld: PDA or PC? Both.)

Both the Sony and OQO pocket-sized PCs cost around $2,000.