Find solution
How can i transfer my DVR recordings to my PC?

Help me get my DVR recordings onto my computer somehow please!

  • I want to save my DVR recordings on my computer. The problem is that, from the googling I've done, my DVR model encrypts the files in such a way that I can't transfer the recordings directly onto my computer, even if the USB ports on the DVR did work. I am wondering if maybe I can play the recording on my TV and just "capture" the playback on my computer so I can save it. If there's a way to get the raw recordings unencrypted, that'd be great, but I doubt it's possible. More inside. Relevant info: I have Time Warner Cable and the dreaded Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD. (Let me state for the record that when I have a Tivo, transferring recordings to my computer was a breeze and a built-in Tivo feature.) I don't have a TV tuner or anything in my desktop PC for TV viewing, although I'm not sure I need that for this. My computer has 8GB of RAM and an i7 processor, so hopefully it can handle whatever it needs to do. Also has an HDMI port. I need to know what is the simplest, least expensive means of getting the recordings off my DVR and onto my computer and what software, if any, do I need. And I would like to retain HD quality, if possible. Or, if you know a better place to go for questions on doing this, please share. (Also, I don't need to do this regularly -- this is only to save special stuff. And this is just for my own collection - I will not be distributing anything.) Thanks!

  • Answer:

    Let me provide an alternative. *Why* do you want to get video off your tivo yourself? Anything currently being shown on TV is available on the internet (in torrent form). Someone else has already done the work for you. Technically this is piracy but realistically the effect is exactly the same. You have access to a show on your cable, you record it to your tivo, you end up with it on your computer. Years ago I started down the path you're on, got pretty far along it, and then gave up. Why was I breaking my back trying to recreate something that is already available with no improvement whatsoever?

AppleTurnover at Ask.Metafilter.Com Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

I would just take the HDMI out from the DVR and plug it into the HDMI port on your PC, and record using VLC or some such.

stupidsexyFlanders

Use the firewire port. You may have to get some sort of firewire adapter if your computer doesn't have one. When connected, anything that gets played on the screen gets sent out the firewire port as long as you're not on a copy protected channel. http://home.comcast.net/~exdeus/stbfirewire/ may help.

wierdo

unlike Tivo, the other commercial providers of DVRs don't really have a good software option to do what you want... that was intentional to stop piracy and appease the content providers (at least in theory) what you need is http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4146200&SRCCODE=WEBGOOPA&cm_mmc_o=mH4CjC7BBTkwCjCV1-CjCE&gclid=CPvyz8fmrrUCFap_QgodJRkAtg. it's a second box that sits between your DVR and your computer. It's pretty low fuss and it works. yes, it's expensive, but it works. read the user reviews and you will see that people are using it to do what you would like to do and much more. there are cheaper versions of these, but they are usually terrible and have little to no support offered

bobdow

bobdow: That will not record HDCP encrypted video. If you have component (analog) video outputs, then either of the devices bobdow linked to should work. Quality will be plenty good enough, though technically worse than it could be.

aubilenon

Actually, it's really expensive. I would need the HD Fury 4, which costs $400. Analog is my best bet. Thank you everyone.

AppleTurnover

Anyone ever tried HDFury? Know if it would work in this situation? Just learned about it now, not sure how it works exactly, haha. Been googling and will continue to do so, but thought I'd ask.

AppleTurnover

AppleTurnover, you can check whether the channel is currently copy protected using the diagnostic menu. If it isn't, it would probably be worth trying the firewire thing. Otherwise the product you referenced or something like it is what you'll need to use. Pronoiac, yes, with a Motorola box. The interface is actually there to connect to DVHS decks and the like. It outputs whatever is playing on your screen minus the interface elements.

wierdo

I'm really curious about the Firewire connection, wierdo. Have you done that before? AppleTurnover, I think http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815150274 would work for recording SD video from your DVR. S-video is higher quality than composite. You'd hook the video capture device up instead of your TV, so the inputs on your TV aren't really relevant.

Pronoiac

Thanks. I am pretty sure the content was from copy-protected channels. They are soccer games I want to save that torrents don't exist of, and I recorded them from Fox Soccer and NBC Sports. So if my TV is too new to have an S-video connection, I will need to hook my DVR up to a TV that does have S-video? The TV I wanted to use has VGA, USB, HDMI and that old-school red/yellow/white audio/video thing. So I just need something like this maybe? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815150274 I've never tried anything like this, so a bit out of my depth. (After I get these saved recordings off the DVR, I really want to set up a home theater PC that can use Windows Media Center to record or something, or get a Tivo again, and I will just pay $2 to rent a cable card. This is annoying.)

AppleTurnover

Load more

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.