How to Download Amazon On-Demand Content to Your Tivo DVR

Ever since I got my first Tivo several years ago, my life has been changed. No longer do I have to be home on certain nights to watch my favorite TV shows, and I can catch movies that many networks air late at night and watch them whenever I want. Having a Tivo definitely ensures that you'll get your money's worth out of your cable or satellite television service. However, sometimes you want to watch a movie or TV show that isn't currently airing on television. Thanks to a recent partnership between Amazon and Tivo, now you can download thousands of movies and TV shows straight to your Tivo DVR box, greatly expanding your content selection.

In order to watch Amazon On-Demand movies and shows on your Tivo, first you'll need to make sure your Tivo has a broadband internet connection. To accomplish this, you'll either need to plug an Ethernet cable from your router or cable modem into your Tivo box, or you can add a USB-powered, 802.11b/g wireless card to hook your Tivo into your existing wireless network. If your Tivo is still connected to the Tivo service through your phone line, you should definitely look into providing a broadband-connection for your Tivo. This will unlock many cool features including the ability to download Amazon On-Demand content.

Once you have connected Tivo to your high speed internet, you are ready to link your Tivo and Amazon accounts. To do this, simply visit the Amazon On-Demand website and choose the "Link Device" option. You will enter the e-mail address and password you use to log-in to your Tivo account, and within moments your Amazon and Tivo accounts will be linked. You can use your PC to browse Amazon On-Demand content, and when you find a movie or show you'd like to watch, you can select which Tivo on your account you would like the content to download to. After completing your purchase via the Amazon website, your content will begin downloading to your Tivo box within minutes. This is great because you can start downloading movies while you are at work, and have your content waiting for you on your Tivo when you get home.

Alternatively, you may search for content you'd like to download straight from your TV using the Tivo remote. You can complete the entire purchase from your Tivo without ever interacting with a real computer. Many movies are available to rent from Amazon On-Demand. Rentals are available on your Tivo for 30 days after purchase, and once you start watching the movie you can replay it for up to 24 hours before it is deleted. For content you purchase, you can delete it from your Tivo and re-download it from Amazon at any time. It really is a great service, and one of the many things that helps set Tivo apart from all other DVRs. More information about the Tivo/Amazon partnership can be found by visiting the Tivo website listed in the resources section of this article.