[jazzbo]

I'm not sure if the best path to getting these files so that you can edit them is by taking the tivo files, burning them and then reripping them.

You might be better off taking the .tivo files (with TivoToGo), and stripping the DRM headers which leaves you with a "normal" mpeg2 file. Manipulating a mpeg2 file will be easier than a ripped DVD burn. There are tons of sites on the Net explaining how to do this -- you're on your own as far as the legality. Some software is even able to manipulate the .tivo files directly.

Lastly at least some of the programs you mentioned (the History Channel docs) are available for sale -- perhaps something you might not want to freely torrent.