TDL tool for converting and moving Media Center TV files to Windows RT/Surface RT

Not being able to watch recorded TV files on the Surface is really disappointing given the great form factor. Windows RT will not play Media Center TV files (neither will Windows 8 without the Media Center Pack) so you need to convert the files before you can play them. I have been using Handbrake to convert WTV files to mp4 but I wanted a simpler way to do it.

So my TV to Surface tool is a small utility that will enable you to select Recorded TV files from your Media Center machine (locally or over the network) and then select a target output folder, it will then use Handbrake in the background to convert the WTV files to MP4 which will play in on the Surface/Windows RT and Windows 8.

There are a few different ways to get the converted files on to the device, you could use the program to place the files on to a USB stick and copy the files over. You could place the files on a Windows 8 device and then use a DLNA app on the Windows RT device to stream the files. The way I do it is to create a shared folder on the Surface and get the app to automatically move the files over. To enable this in Windows RT you need the Service service which is disabled by default in Windows RT. So to start the Server services in Windows RT  from the start screen type services, hit Settings and then click on View Local Services

In Windows RT it’s the Server service is set to Disabled so I changed it to Automatic, then you can then create a folder on the RT device and share it out.

From a Windows 8 or Windows 7 PC install Handbrake (download from Handbrake.fr) and then my tool. You need to tell the app where your TV files are stored, where Handbrake is installed and where you want to store the mp4 files (this could be a shared folder on the Windows RT device).

Next click on the Scan Folder button which will list the TV files and then select the TV files you want to convert (use the control or shift key to select more than one) and click on Convert. Then sit back and wait for Handbrake to do its stuff. When the program finishes you will have MP4 versions of your TV files in the folder you selected, then watch them on the Surface using the built in video app.

This app will not work in the Media Center TV shows are DRMed (sorry Barb Bowman but thanks for the Service tip anyway).

The application is a ClickOnce app that will auto update. Its early days yet so expect plenty of bugs. Maybe in the future I will include automated schedules and features like that.

Download the app from here, it needs .net framework 4.5 to work. Please let me know how you get on with it, I have created a section in our forums to discuss the app.

Step 1 – Load the app, the first time it prompts for the settings

Step 2 – Click on Scan Folder then click on the files you want to convert (use control or shift to select multiple files)

Step 3- Click on Convert