How to Record & Use External Storage Print

Title: TiviMate (Original & X+ V5): How to Record & Use External Storage

Body:

TL;DR:
You need TiviMate Premium to record. Plug in a USB drive (exFAT recommended), give TiviMate Storage permission, set the Recordings folder to that USB, then Record (instant) or Schedule from the TV guide.

Requirements

• TiviMate Premium (Original or X+ V5).

• Active Choice1 service (for channels).

• USB drive or external SSD, ideally formatted exFAT (handles files >4 GB; FAT32 is limited to 4 GB).

• Device with USB: Android TV / Google TV box / Fire TV, etc.

A) Prepare your external storage

Android TV / Google TV

1. Plug your USB drive into the device.

2. Go to Settings → Storage (or Device Preferences → Storage).

3. Select your USB → choose Use as removable/portable storage (recommended).

4. If asked to format, pick exFAT (or format on a PC/Mac first).

5. (Optional) Create a folder on the USB like /TiviMateRecordings.

Fire TV (Stick/Cube)

1. Plug in the USB via OTG (if needed).

2. Settings → My Fire TV → USB Drive (or Storage).

3. Choose Portable storage (not “Internal/app” storage) and finish setup.

4. If the drive isn’t recognized, format on a PC/Mac to exFAT, re-insert.

Tip: Slow thumb drives can cause failed recordings. A USB 3.0 SSD is best.

B) Let TiviMate use the USB (set the recordings folder)

1. Open TiviMate → go to Settings.

2. Open Recording / Recordings (menu label can vary by version).

3. Select Recording folder / Storage location.

4. Browse to your USB drive and choose your folder (e.g., /TiviMateRecordings).

5. When prompted, Allow TiviMate Storage/Files permission.

If you don’t see the USB, back out and confirm the system mounted it (see section A), then reopen TiviMate.

C) Make an instant recording

1. Tune to the channel.

2. Press Menu (⋮) or long-press OK/Select.

3. Choose Record (or Start recording).

4. Stop it later via the same menu (Stop recording).

D) Schedule a recording from the EPG (TV Guide)

1. Open the TV Guide (EPG).

2. Highlight a future program.

3. Long-press OK/Select or Menu (⋮) → choose Record / Schedule recording.

4. Confirm start/end (add padding if you like) → Save.

5. Manage/edit upcoming recordings in Settings → Recording → Scheduled / Recording manager.

E) Tips, space & reliability

• Space usage: HD can be 2–4 GB per hour (varies by channel/bitrate).

• File system: Use exFAT to avoid FAT32’s 4 GB limit.

• Keep device awake: For scheduled recordings, avoid the device sleeping.

  • Android TV: Settings → Screen saver/Sleep → set to Never (or long).

  • Fire TV: Display & Sounds → Screensaver → turn off or extend timeout.

  • Leave TiviMate running in the foreground for the most reliable results.

• Network: Unstable internet = broken recordings. Prefer Ethernet or strong Wi-Fi.

F) Troubleshooting

• “Can’t write / folder not found” → Set the recording folder again and grant Storage permission. Confirm the USB is mounted.

• USB not listed → Format to exFAT, re-insert, or try another USB port/cable.

• Recording stops early → Drive too slow/space full/device went to sleep. Use faster storage and keep the device awake.

• No audio/video / corrupted file → Try another channel; update the provider/playlist; reboot TiviMate and device.