Record stored shows from a DVR?

September 22, 2005 12:56 PM

Say I had a DVR (this one, actually). It is provided by my cable provider. And say I had something stored on there (like all of last season's West Wing and some episodes of Wire In The Blood) that I wanted to put somewhere else (like maybe on my PC or a portable harddrive). Doable?

Number One has mentioned a possibility, but I'm wanting to hear from the AskMeFi collective. What have you tried, what can be done and is it really worth the attempt? Also, if you wish to discuss the ethics of the desired endeavour, feel free.

posted by grabbingsand to technology (12 comments total)

I don't know.
But look at this -- great minds think alike, maybe.
...in Metatalk.
posted by Methylviolet at 1:05 PM on September 22, 2005

Well, these guys have something about taking shows off that model.
This guy claims to have done the same thing with a Mac.
posted by Dipsomaniac at 1:06 PM on September 22, 2005

get a macrovision removal device, and then plug your DVR's analog outputs into a computer with a video-in card. I'm not sure if macrovision removal devices are still legal with the DMCA and all...
posted by delmoi at 1:09 PM on September 22, 2005

Maybe I'm totally off, but I thought that's what the USB hookup was for?
posted by jmd82 at 1:14 PM on September 22, 2005

Macrovision removal devices are totally illegal.
posted by SweetJesus at 1:38 PM on September 22, 2005

I have the same box, the usb is for video in only.
posted by pg at 1:40 PM on September 22, 2005

I have this DVR too. I can record programs using the DVR's analog outputs with my Archos AV320. I can also record DVD's (or whatever) from my Playstation 2.

Why does this work, but plugging the DVR into a video card with video in wouldn't work?
posted by sevenless at 1:52 PM on September 22, 2005

I have this DVR and a set of links to go with it. It's apparently easier to extract video to a Mac, but you said "PC", so is this what you're looking for?
posted by yerfatma at 3:51 PM on September 22, 2005

Not much to add to the series of links, since this particular device is quite popular, but the one thing that might be the case with some models is that the firewire connection is not enabled by default in the software.

Supposedly for Seattle-area Comcast users, you have to call them up and ask that it be enabled, but they can do it over the wire much like updates to your DVR OS. If your cable provider is at all the same, you might need that step in addition to hooking up to the firewire jack and using the software/methods described in this thread.
posted by hincandenza at 5:47 PM on September 22, 2005

The "high end" way of moving content, especially high-def content off of these boxes is via the firewire interface onto DVHS. JVC makes a line of VHS recorders that record in high definition off of firewire-enabled devices, like the Motorola 6412 (and 6208) DVRs.

It's maybe not exactly what you are looking for, but the DVHS decks are not that expensive (you can find them for $300-$400) and the tapes aren't bad either ($8). And this solution is plug-and-play. Plus there are a bunch of HD movies that you can purchase and rent for these decks that just look AWESOME.

Just throwing another idea out there for you...
posted by ensign_ricky at 5:50 PM on September 22, 2005

These are great answers.

I found iRecord and tested it out briefly last night. Via Firewire, I was able to see the DVR through my Mac, but as luck would have it, Comcast was having service interruptions all night.
posted by grabbingsand at 6:46 AM on September 23, 2005

A DVR box that pumps macrovision out on your recordings so you can't even just tape it to VHS?? Seriously? Un-fucking-believable. That's put me off my lunch.
posted by phearlez at 7:23 AM on September 23, 2005