Need help - DVR TV file over to PC?

[Q2UnME]

Hey all! Not sure this is the right form for this question, but I figured I'd start looking for help here. The wife and I just upgraded to a HD cable box that also contains a DVR. The main problem I see is that the DVR will only store 20 hours of HD programming. Since we have a 46" HD TV, high def. is just about the only thing we watch and record.

My question is: Is there a way that I can interface my PC with our DVR and extract the video files for long term storage/later viewing/burning to DVD? If yes, what hardware/software would I need or would be rocommended? I did notice one or two USB ports on the back of the unit, but I didn't want to attempt anything without seeing if others were sucessful in doing the same thing.

Anyone? Thanks in advance...

Q2UnME

 

[backstept]

I don't know how much HD video you can fit on a DVD . . . it would probably be downsampled to fit the format . . . anyway, it would be simple just to set up a DVD or Blu-Ray recorder and depending on the service provider/firmware on the DVR unit you can just select the show from the list, and 'copy to VCR' (at least that's what my TimeWarner box says . . . who still uses VCRs anyway? )
my dad copies recorded programs to dvd all the time

the harddrives on DVRs are painfully small . . . expecially for HD set-top boxes . . .

 

[Q2UnME]

^Yea, my unit says "copy to VCR" too. My initial responce was

Who uses a VCR to record a HD program? A VCR wouldn't even come close to being able to handle the resolution. I didn't get an owners manual with my DVR and the pdf file version on TimeWarners website is pretty lame. Hook up recommendations?

The only DVD burner I have is on my laptop and PC. I think a 1 hour TV program recorded in HD format would be slightly over 1.1GB. I think I could get 3 or 4 on a standard single sided DVD. At $0.50 a piece for a DVD, saving a seasons worth of a program would only be a few dollars. I'd still like to interface to my PC; I've got 3 harddrives totaling up to 750GB, so I think I've got enough room to store a boatload of stuff.

Q2

 

[constovich]

Unfortunately those dvrs don't have a satisfactory method to transfer the file. In most cases even the "sata" connector doesn't work, assuming its present. If you had an RCA input to your computer, you could run a video recorder program. Worst case you could get a TV Tuner to do that.

 

[farmkid]

As mentioned above, you could do it by analog transfer to your computer through a video capture card of some sort. I would recommend using S-video, rather than RCA, though as the picture quality will be better. You will lose the HD, but you will still have the program. There might be a way to capture HD through an ATSC capture card (one with a digital, HD tuner), but I don't know how you would do it.

You will probably get more knowledgeable answers in the forum at VideoHelp.com.