Copying DVR files to PC/DVD?

[JoeyGee]

I need to copy some files from my DVR. I would like to copy the files themselves rather than burning the playback to a DVD or even to a PC via a tuner card or something similar.

I have read that I can hook up my DVR (a Motorola DCT 6412) as a device on my PC via USB, but the only USB port is the "PC end" the flat end, not the end that would go into a device. I tried the ethernet port, but I read later this is actually an internal cable modem. The box belongs to the cable company, so taking the hard drive out is out of the question.

I am aware of all the copyright stuff and that some stuff I won't be able to copy, but I would like to get what I can.

I am ditching this cable setup and will be looking into getting my own DVR and/or setting up a media center PC as a DVR.

[onedash]

with tivo on a wirelss network its easy as can be. could you use an ipod to grab the stuff????

[JoeyGee]

Upon further review...

All I need is a firewire cable and card (my PC does not have a firewire port) and I should be in business!

Man, I am so lazy and spoiled...I figured "why search for myself? Those people at BT3 Central know EVERYTHING. I'll just post my question there and get an answer in 13.2 seconds." : )

I guess I am one of those people that now know everything : )

[radhak]

any commercial dvr device is nothing but a computer hard-disk with no monitor and a proprietory os (tivo runs on linux). so the data-ports on your dvr are more for input than output. ie, connecting your dvr to your computer is like directly connecting two computer-cpu. anybody who has tried doing that would know the heartburn that could result from it

but you can always try it. get a special usb cable from radio-shack : it should have Type-A Connector at both ends. This would fit the Type-A receptacles on your PC and the DVR, allowing to connect the two. And if you are a pious person with no sins to confess, you might be able to see the DVR as an external drive on your PC (try rebooting a couple of times).

if not, you have correctly identified that you need a firewire cable (and a firewire port on you PC). but beyond that, you cannot still just copy the files
over. you might need to 'play' the files and capture them on the pc; there are softwares that do this. i remember one name 'capdvhs' used to be free; a nice intuitive software.

but despite all that, you may not get what you are after : most files on the dvr would be encrypted, or at best, marked 'copy once'.

what might work better would be that your dvr might allow copying to dvd using a dvd-recorder. (tivo does). (i remember seeing one at walmart for $70). nothing simpler - pop in a blank dvd and record.

[JoeyGee]

Hijacking my own thread...

Is there a subscription needed with TIVO? I am in the process of swtiching from cable to satellite (probably Dish Network) and would like to have a DVR. Can I use TIVO with DISH? Eventually I would like to do as I stated above (use a PC as a DVR-type device) but that is down the road when I have time (ha ha...).

I think I can buy just a DVR device, but I don't know how that would integrate with a Dish receiver. I know I can get one from Dish, but I want one to be MINE that I can hack around with as much as I want.

[mikel]

Tivo has a subscription but other users tell me you can change to a free service on their website. I asssume a wattered down version but you still get all the commercials and they get their marketing info from you.
to get it to an iPod you need to get the video to a Mpeg 4 format? Handbrake will do it for Mac users.

I just use a VCR cause they are laying around.

...m

[radhak]

Hijacking my own thread...

Is there a subscription needed with TIVO? I am in the process of swtiching from cable to satellite (probably Dish Network) and would like to have a DVR. Can I use TIVO with DISH? Eventually I would like to do as I stated above (use a PC as a DVR-type device) but that is down the road when I have time (ha ha...).

I think I can buy just a DVR device, but I don't know how that would integrate with a Dish receiver. I know I can get one from Dish, but I want one to be MINE that I can hack around with as much as I want.

Tivo costs around $13 per month. The equipment costs around $150 to $300 (depending on the disk size - 40 GB upwards), but you can get it free if you look around for 'deals'. quite like cell phones free with year long service.

I have Tivo and Dish, and works ok; but i am not really happy with their handshake. Tivo is not able to change channels on the Dish network seamlessly all the time (ie, if you set it to record channel 113 at 9pm tonight, it may not change the channel and instead record at whatever channel was current).
But if you don't already have Tivo, I'd recommend you take Dish's dvr. bound to be easier and cheaper.

I heard DirectTV's dvr is Tivo. Dunno how much extra it costs.

If you want more control on the dvr's functionality, you need a home-built one. none of the off-the-shelf dvrs allow too much elbow room for personalization.

[jAngiel]

DirectTV's used to be Tivo (they still support it) but the ones you get from them now are their own proprietary flavor. I have one of each and prefer the Tivo one.

[scorrpio]

Depending on your cable provider, their own DVR option might be better. I.E Cablevision's iO digital cable DVR is only $10/month, and it integrates with their service much better.

[Tom Slick]

I have dish network with their new 2 room DVR and it works great. the equipment was free with a $5 a month service charge. it also has features such as only recording new episodes.

[THyman]

Hijacking my own thread...

Is there a subscription needed with TIVO? I am in the process of swtiching from cable to satellite (probably Dish Network) and would like to have a DVR. Can I use TIVO with DISH? Eventually I would like to do as I stated above (use a PC as a DVR-type device) but that is down the road when I have time (ha ha...).

I think I can buy just a DVR device, but I don't know how that would integrate with a Dish receiver. I know I can get one from Dish, but I want one to be MINE that I can hack around with as much as I want.

I have Dish Network and the DVR is integrated into the satelitte box. I do not know if Tivo will work with Dish but I think it does with Direct TV. The Dish DVR is nice as it can be connected to two tvs and record to separate shows at the same time while watching other DVR recordings. The DVR equipment ifs free and works great!

You can also contact Dish and ask them if Tivo will work with theri system.

[Ed62]

I can't remember which model it is, but I'm pretty sure there is one Tivo model that will not work with Direct TV. I think you can find that information on their site. If you're going with Dish, you might want to get clarification from them if the Tivo you're considering will work or not.

Ed

[Stormbringer]

I am ditching this cable setup and will be looking into getting my own DVR and/or setting up a media center PC as a DVR.

Joey,

I've had a mediacenter pc for two years and just installed my pvr card last month. This is my new favorite toy. To be able to record any show any time, a series or just a few episodes, to click an icon to record instead of having to "program it", have it know that it had already recorded something so it doesn't record repeats, to be able to program search by title or keyword, and then wipe out the commercials and burn the keepers to dvd. Priceless. Mine is set up so I can record two shows at the same time while watching another for those rare opportunities (it's happened more than I thought). Other perks of a media center pc include having having all your photos and home movies available at the touch of a button that can display on a big screen, instant avaialbilty of all your music with a mouse click (what's a cd?), and have FM radio at the ready - one click recordable nonetheless. All for no fees ...that is if your computer is reasonably decent.

Just a side note, you don't have to have MS Media Center.

I'm sure a DVR is nice too. Don't know about the ease of programming or the navigation so I can't offer any opinion there. I would explore the pc option first for the flexabilty. Just my $.02 YMMV.

Best,
Greg

[maxparot]

Tivo is a subscription based service.
A home theater PC with a HD TV video capture card should give you all the functionality you could ask for.
I presently have a HTPC with 3 TV capture cards connected to 2 digital cable converters and the 3rd connected directly(anolog cable connection) although not HD I can record all the channels I subscribe to and record it to DVD. Using the PC I can copy any DVD. One key don't use Windows media center edition or Vista.

[scorrpio]

The thing with media PC is making it get the right channel from the cable box. For example, Cablevision's DVR box can record one channel while you watch another. Even if you have a way to control the cable box from your PC, you'll need a dedicated box for the PC if you want the functionality.
I have a PC connected to my home theater - and we use it to watch movies, play music etc, but for DVR, the special box is a more convenient option.