DVR Video to my PC??

**CyinCo** · 12-02-2008, 06:28 PM

How do I do this? My DVR\Cable Box has all kinds of video out types. My PC can take s-video or 1394. I don't have HDMI on this PC. So, I assume I can get video feed to appear on my laptop from the DVR but then what do I do to capture in a DVD burnable format. .mp2??

Any help would be appreciated.

**Broodwich** · 12-02-2008, 06:34 PM

You are going to need a video capture card.

**cytech** · 12-02-2008, 06:34 PM

I think it all depends on what dvr box you are using.

For instance I have a mediacom pace hd dvr it has tons of outputs too, but you can't transfer file from the dvr to another device. It has the ability to use a external hard drive(I have a 1 terabyte one hooked up to mine) and I can hook that up to a computer.

**CyinCo** · 12-02-2008, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by Broodwich

You are going to need a video capture card.

OK. I don't have one. So how come I'm able to capture video off my Mini DV Sony Camcorder without it? I use Nero Software to capture that.

How much is a capture card? Do they make them for laptops (PCMCIA)?

**CyinCo** · 12-02-2008, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by cytech

I think it all depends on what dvr box you are using.

For instance I have a mediacom pace hd dvr it has tons of outputs too, but you can't transfer file from the dvr to another device. It has the ability to use a external hard drive(I have a 1 terabyte one hooked up to mine) and I can hook that up to a computer.

OK...Thats cool. I could try that. I'm not sure if I can do the same with mine. I'll check it out.

What format is the video from the DVR?

**cytech** · 12-02-2008, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by CyinCo

OK...Thats cool. I could try that. I'm not sure if I can do the same with mine. I'll check it out.

What format is the video from the DVR?

Do you know what brand your dvr is? I imagine it can differ from unit to unit

**CyinCo** · 12-02-2008, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by cytech

Do you know what brand your dvr is? I imagine it can differ from unit to unit

I have a Pace HD from Mediacom as well.

**CyinCo** · 12-02-2008, 06:50 PM

My manual that Mediacom gave me says that these connectors are not currently enabled for SATA and USB.

**jumbopackage** · 12-02-2008, 07:52 PM

You can't do it, is what it boils down to.

You're going to need to jump the analog gap with a video capture card

**pulse** · 12-02-2008, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by CyinCo

OK. I don't have one. So how come I'm able to capture video off my Mini DV Sony Camcorder without it? I use Nero Software to capture that.

How much is a capture card? Do they make them for laptops (PCMCIA)?

You can capture through the 1394 like you do with the camcorder, but it isn't necessarily a small task. If you say you have an s-vid input on your computer, you can connect the s-vid out on the dvr and the audio out and connect it to the input s-vid and sound input (mic) on the PC to record.

**pulse** · 12-02-2008, 08:12 PM

Actually, you might be able to connect the 1394 dvr to the camcorder and then record to the camcorder. You can then connect the camcorder to the PC via 1394 and transfer it that way. A pain, 2 steps, but I think it is possible.

**cytech** · 12-02-2008, 08:30 PM

yeah others are right I hadn't tried to connect the external drive to a pc and it don't work.

**CyinCo** · 12-02-2008, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by pulse

Actually, you might be able to connect the 1394 dvr to the camcorder and then record to the camcorder. You can then connect the camcorder to the PC via 1394 and transfer it that way. A pain, 2 steps, but I think it is possible.

That is what I was going to originally do. But it seems silly to record digital video to a DV tape just so I can move it to my pc. Seems like I should be able to skip that step??

I have authoring software for creating DVD video but I first need to capture the video in either .avi or mpeg2 before I can convert to DVD.

**tman24** · 12-02-2008, 08:37 PM

many dvrs are suppose to have the firewire port unlocked so you should be able to record from dvr to pc with a firewire cable. however you have to play and record it instead of just copying the file over.

**jumbopackage** · 12-02-2008, 09:18 PM

The problem is there is DRM on most of those shows that will not let you back it up. So the majority of stuff you would want to get off (so to speak) you aren't allowed to.

By law the 1394 port is enabled. But by law, anyone with content that have set the do not copy bit will not let you copy stuff off.