How to get shows off DirectV DVR

[Randu]

I'm up grading to the new HD system but don't want to loose the recorded shows from my old standard definition DVR. Is there a way to download into computer before installers show on Tuesday and remove my old DVR? Randu

[Randu]

riven1950 wrote:
I did the same a while back and asked DT. They said watch them before the conversion or lose them. There may be a way to do it, but to me not worth it to figure it out. BTW the new DVR is sooo much better, larger storage, etc. worth losing some recorded shows IMO.

Thanks for the suggestions but decided to go into a watching marathon that started Friday night with some priority input from wife about which shows were "Need" to see vs. "Want" to see. Reminded me of trailer shopping with need /wants. Down to 3 Master Chefs, 8 Rosalie & Isles, and 12 Bones which fell to the bottom. Randu

[wa8yxm]

Theory has it there is a way Two of them in fact. One is not for the faint of screwdriver (Requires you OPEN the DVR and frankly I have not the instructions nor the software required)

Method 2 you need a TV TUNER card for your computer and play the shows into it, You need not watch them but play them into the card, record the card. There is some "Generation" loss but you likely won't notice it.

This will, however, tie up the computer and the DVR for some time and you need to hop over every 1-3 hours to set up the next show.

[htwheelz67]

If you leave your sd box disconected from the dish before you deactivate it you can plug it in and watch the recorded content, that is what I was told by directv.
Otherwise you will have to copy them using a dvd recorder.

[MrWizard]

The files are encrypted to the DVR
The only way is video copy while playing the recorded shows

[riven1950]

I did the same a while back and asked DT. They said watch them before the conversion or lose them. There may be a way to do it, but to me not worth it to figure it out. BTW the new DVR is sooo much better, larger storage, etc. worth losing some recorded shows IMO.

[MM49]

Illegal as hell
mm49

[dapperdan]

Randu wrote:
I'm up grading to the new HD system but don't want to loose the recorded shows from my old standard definition DVR. Is there a way to download into computer before installers show on Tuesday and remove my old DVR? Randu

You could pick up something like this and connect your DVR to your computer but that's just the half of it. You would need to install codec software, something along these lines to make it work. I've been able to do it, just keep in mind HD programs and movies will take up a LOT of space in your computer! The up side is you won't lose your favorite shows/movies.

Hope this helps.

Dan

[hitchup]

The SD version won't be half as good as your new HD version.

When we upgraded one of our HD DVR's to the Genie in the new Suite, we had to make a decision which one had the best recordings to keep. So we moved the LR HD-DVR to the bedroom (watched all the bedroom taped shows, then deleted) and had them put the new Genie into the LR. I like the ability to store even more shows and tape simultaneously from 2 DVR's.

We tried to get a 3rd Client for the outside TV, but the DTV Tech insisted it wouldn't work. So he canceled that part off our order.

Fast Forward to a few weeks ago, we had to get a Tech out to see why we couldn't get local channels. Also had the DTV Tech install the wireless Client to our Genie and a bridge picks up the HD signal to the outside TV. Finally a perfect picture on the outside TV instead of the fuzzy one we tried to get with a DirecTV splitter only.

[valhalla360]

They just put the USB port on the DVR to taunt you.

[2oldman]

When I copied a lot of Simpsons from VCR to DVD I just had to play them all. Took weeks.

Now that I've made a personal reply, I can safely add that google has a lot of hits on 'copy dvr to computer', if you haven't looked there already.

[DougE]

Radio Shack has an RF Modulator that you will probably have to pair with a TV Tuner for Windows like the AverTV Hybrid Volar Max to input on a USB port. Windows Media Center can handle it from there.

[kmbelt]

Sounds like 4 straight days of watching your recordings to me as i don't think Direct will let you save them off. I know Dish would let you save them to an external drive.

[JaxDad]

donn0128 wrote:
No. You will need to make a list and reenter them manually.

The OP said "recorded shows" unless they come back on again setting the DVR to record them again won't do anything.

To the OP, the only thing you can do is to use a second recording device, like a computer with video capture software, to record them off your DVR as they are playing, it's slow but can certainly be done.

[donn0128]

No. You will need to make a list and reenter them manually.