how do i transfer a recording on my DVR to another source?

I'm finally cancelling Com(pressed)cast's crappy TV service and getting DirecTV!

What I'm wondering is how do I transfer a show from my old DVR to my computer or another source without losing the (compressed) HD quality, since Cumcast will want their DVR back?

My gf and I sat in on a taping of The Tonight Show this summer and I want to save a copy of it for a keepsake. I understand I need a firewire cable. Is there a specific model I need or something or certain specifations to look for? Comcast's (bottom of the line) box is a Motorola DCH3416 btw if that helps.

What software program do I need to do it with my computer? Is it free? If not, how much does it cost and where do I get it? I'm new to all of this and I'd appreciate a walkthrough. If this is the wrong board please send me to the right one.


thanks
Tom

Just connect your D-VHS recorder to the DVR via firewire and "play" the content you want to move. The HD program/movie will be "moved" from the DVR to the tape in the same HD format that exist on the DVR. You can make a SD quality COPY from any of the outputs on the DVR to any device that accepts the output (DVD recorder, computer, VHS, etc). Making copies of HD material is a "no no"- but you can MOVE it.

I'm finally cancelling Com(pressed)cast's crappy TV service and getting DirecTV!

What I'm wondering is how do I transfer a show from my old DVR to my computer or another source without losing the (compressed) HD quality, since Cumcast will want their DVR back?

My gf and I sat in on a taping of The Tonight Show this summer and I want to save a copy of it for a keepsake. I understand I need a firewire cable. Is there a specific model I need or something or certain specifations to look for? Comcast's (bottom of the line) box is a Motorola DCH3416 btw if that helps.

What software program do I need to do it with my computer? Is it free? If not, how much does it cost and where do I get it? I'm new to all of this and I'd appreciate a walkthrough. If this is the wrong board please send me to the right one.


thanks
Tom


I had that same box from Comsuck, this is how I took my shows off the dvr before giving them the box back.

If you don't have a dvd recorder, then see if you can borrow one.
Get an S-video cable, and go from the Cable box to your dvd recorder. You can then play it in any dvd player, so you don't need the computer if you go that route.

I'm not sure that the firewire option is enabled on that stb.

Hope this helps:hithere:

I had that same box from Comsuck, this is how I took my shows off the dvr before giving them the box back.

If you don't have a dvd recorder, then see if you can borrow one.
Get an S-video cable, and go from the Cable box to your dvd recorder. You can then play it in any dvd player, so you don't need the computer if you go that route.

I'm not sure that the firewire option is enabled on that stb.

Hope this helps:hithere:

I assure you an s-video cable is NOT going to MOVE / COPY / TRANSFER any HD content . . . which is what the OP wanted to do . . .

my gf's parents have a DVD recorder. Its just analog though, its NOT Blueray or HD DVD (they DON'T even have an HDTV). Is there even such thing as Blue Ray recorders?

I don't have a D-VHS (whatever that is, I thought VHS went out with the 90's). What I do have is an old analog VCR that I bought 10 years ago, but its recordings look terrible.

The most thing is I want is to stay as close to the original HD as possible.

So as I asked in my first questions,

1.which video recording software should I buy?

and

2. is there a certain type of Firewire cable (specs / features, etc.) to look for when I go to the electronics store.

For those that are unfamiliar with the box I have, here's its specs sheet from Motorola:

http://www.motorola.com/business/US-EN/DCH3416_US-EN.do?vgnextoid=6c2d9e3eeed46110VgnVCM1000008406b0 0aRCRD

I assure you an s-video cable is NOT going to MOVE / COPY / TRANSFER any HD content . . . which is what the OP wanted to do . . .

I know dam well that s-video does not transfer HD content, thank you very much!

I was just letting the OP know how to get them off the box he needs to return, since he did not mention a HD camcorder.

Ok please don't argue or attack each other, lets work on solving my problem. So what do I need to buy? I'm signing up for DTV this weekend.

my gf's parents have a DVD recorder. Its just analog though, its NOT Blueray or HD DVD (they DON'T even have an HDTV). Is there even such thing as Blue Ray recorders?

I don't have a D-VHS (whatever that is, I thought VHS went out with the 90's). What I do have is an old analog VCR that I bought 10 years ago, but its recordings look terrible.

The most thing is I want is to stay as close to the original HD as possible.

So as I asked in my first questions,

1.which video recording software should I buy?

and

2. is there a certain type of Firewire cable (specs / features, etc.) to look for when I go to the electronics store.

For those that are unfamiliar with the box I have, here's its specs sheet from Motorola:



http://www.motorola.com/business/US-EN/DCH3416_US-EN.do?vgnextoid=6c2d9e3eeed46110VgnVCM1000008406b0 0aRCRD


One of the posters in the AVS forum found a work around. Perhaps this will help you. You should probably ask Comsuck if they're firewire is enabled before you spend your cash. I know in my market they did not enable the firewire.

http://www./avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14854541

that link doesn't work, it goes to a blank page.

Yeah the only recording devices I have are the DVR that I have to return, and an old cheap bottom of the line VCR that I bought 10 years ago (its not even stereo!).

My gf's parents have an SD DVD recorder. Would that work? If so what cable do I need?

Yeah the only recording devices I have are the DVR I mentioned above and an old cheap bottom of the line VCR that I bought 10 years ago (its not even stereo so hardly worth it). Nothing else.

Hi Tom, I'm sorry there is really no way to get the HD conent other than what has been discussed here.

The only thing I can suggest is that you do the s-video.
It's standard definition, however it looks really good in a upscaling dvd player.

How many ghz is your computer, and is it dual core?

http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/02/20/how-to-get-tons-of-hd-content-playing-on-your-pc/

Try this link. Like I said before, I was just letting you know how I cleared my STB.

The other thing is they have HD camcorders for 149.00 at Wallgreens. You could get a tripod, and just sit it infront of the tv if worst came to worst. It can use micro sd cards.
They have an HD out through component cables.

So the cheapest way to go is to buy an S-Video cable and use my gf's parents' SD DVD recorder? I don't have alot of money to spend, I guess I should have mentioned that in my original post.

So the cheapest way to go is to buy an S-Video cable and use my gf's parents' SD DVD recorder? I don't have alot of money to spend, I guess I should have mentioned that in my original post.

Yes, like I said you won't get HD, but it will look really good. I can play my dvd's on the computer, or in any dvd player. I bought an s-video cable for 9.00 including shipping. I know you want to get your stuff off that box before they take it. This way also you don't need a software program. Do you use your HDTV as a monitor for you computer?

No, I don't have a long enough cable.

No, I don't have a long enough cable.

Oh ok, well i use mine as a monitor. I bought a 12ft vga cable for under 20.00. just a thought.

This way you can watch your vids on a big screen, since you will have to return your g/f parents dvd recorder.

Sorry I could not help out more.

well i still have an analog SD DVD player, and my computer has a DVD recorder / player. I appreciate the help.

If I had alot of money to spend I'd get a Blue Ray Player / recorder and a 5.1 surround sound system. Gotta live within my means though. The economy stinks and jobs are scarce, and I'm barely getting by.

Hopefully that second Economic Stimulus Package proposal passes. I got the money for my HDTV from the first one.

well i still have an analog SD DVD player, and my computer has a DVD recorder / player. I appreciate the help.

If I had alot of money to spend I'd get a Blue Ray Player / recorder and a 5.1 surround sound system. Gotta live within my means though. The economy stinks and jobs are scarce, and I'm barely getting by.

Hopefully that second Economic Stimulus Package proposal passes. I got the money for my HDTV from the first one.

Yeah the economy sux right now. I want a PS3, but I want to get it a bit cheaper than it is right now. Mine is a 42' also.

by the time PS3 gets down to a price us poor folks can afford, the PS4 will be out

So whats the best S-video cable for the money? Does gold plated really make a difference? Should I get one with built in audio cables (3 way)?

So if I record the show from my HD DVR to their SD DVD recorder it will get downconverted to SD? And I'll still be able to play it on my regular SD DVD player or my SD DVD player on my computer?

I want to make a copy of The Tonight Show that we attended for a keepsake like i said. We drove to California from Michigan in a rentral car when gas prices were almost 4 dollars a gallon and stayed in like 10 hotels and ate in resturants every day so I think we paid enough to get around their copyright protection and we deserve to have a copy. We were also both unemployed at the time and still are so the credit cards companies are about to sue.

I know this may be a bit late for the OP, but for others that wander here looking for a method to get content from their HD DVRs to a computer, I use the Hauppauge 1212 HD-PVR Video Capture device (http://www.highdefinitionblog.com/?page_id=331). Basically you play the program and the box records the HD signal via component connections. Work great for archiving.

by the time PS3 gets down to a price us poor folks can afford, the PS4 will be out

LOL, this is true!

BTW Blu Ray Recorders will be very expensive.
Average price wil be from 800.00 up.
I do want to get one, but dam that's expensive.
I have a HD camcorder, so I could put it to good use.:banana:


http://gizmodo.com/5044710/sony-has-blu+ray-recorder-frenzy-six-new-models-with-hdd-recording-too

http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/08/sonys-bdz-a70-blu-ray-recorder-with-1-touch-transfer-to-walkman/

So whats the best S-video cable for the money? Does gold plated really make a difference? Should I get one with built in audio cables (3 way)?

I went to the site where I bought mine, here's the link.

http://www.shipfreeordie.com/S-Video-Male-Male-Cables_c_22.html

They ship free, I got the 3 foot gold. Mine cost 4.60 yours will be a little cheaper.

Hope this helps.

So if I record the show from my HD DVR to their SD DVD recorder it will get downconverted to SD? And I'll still be able to play it on my regular SD DVD player or my SD DVD player on my computer?

I want to make a copy of The Tonight Show that we attended for a keepsake like i said. We drove to California from Michigan in a rentral car when gas prices were almost 4 dollars a gallon and stayed in like 10 hotels and ate in resturants every day so I think we paid enough to get around their copyright protection and we deserve to have a copy. We were also both unemployed at the time and still are so the credit cards companies are about to sue.


Correct!

Don't feel bad, alot of people are being sued by greedy cc companies. There is no copyright laws for SD, just HD. Thus the reason for HDMI, to control HD content.

I know this may be a bit late for the OP, but for others that wander here looking for a method to get content from their HD DVRs to a computer, I use the Hauppauge 1212 HD-PVR Video Capture device (http://www.highdefinitionblog.com/?page_id=331). Basically you play the program and the box records the HD signal via component connections. Work great for archiving.


OMG Rbinck, I am soo buying that PVR.
I don't need no stinking PS3 now. LOL

Thanks

So will it downcovert the show to 4:3? or will it stay in 16:9? How much memory will a 1080i hour long show take up on a SD DVD? I have some blank SD DVD -R disks.

Won't the HD still be compressed?

I want my uncompressed HD! That's why I'm switching from Com(pressed)cast to DirecTV.

So will it downcovert the show to 4:3? or will it stay in 16:9? How much memory will a 1080i hour long show take up on a SD DVD? I have some blank SD DVD -R disks.

You will have the bars on the top, and bottom.
But the picture still looks really good.

I use DVD-R also, when I record my personal videos they are in 16.9.

You can google how long it will take up on a SD DVD.

Won't the HD still be compressed?

I want my uncompressed HD! That's why I'm switching from Com(pressed)cast to DirecTV.

Well my picture looks fantastic, but then I have a HD camcorder. If you start out with a better pq, you should end up with a better pq.

When I look at my downconverted DVD with my upconvert DVD recorder it looks almost as sharp as the HD pic.

Peace Out!

Won't the HD still be compressed?

I want my uncompressed HD! That's why I'm switching from Com(pressed)cast to DirecTV.

All broadcast HD is compressed. Whether it be from OTA, Directv, Dish, Comcast, etc.

DeadHead68

yeah well Comcast is OVER compressed. They have 3 QAM's per carrier instead of 2 like everyone else. I know how shitty their HD quality is from experience. Also their HD CHANNEL QUANTITY is way too low for what they charge.

I know this may be a bit late for the OP, but for others that wander here looking for a method to get content from their HD DVRs to a computer, I use the Hauppauge 1212 HD-PVR Video Capture device (http://www.highdefinitionblog.com/?page_id=331). Basically you play the program and the box records the HD signal via component connections. Work great for archiving.

I have one of these and I can confirm it works great for archiving HD content. You'll get image quality that is nearly indistinguishable from the original. And you can burn to standard DVDs, which can then be played on any Blu-ray player. If you use double-layer DVDs, you will be able to record about 2 hours to a DVD with good quality.

yup i burned it last night and it looks good.

yup i burned it last night and it looks good.

I'm glad my suggestion about the S-video worked out for you. I told you it would look good!

ya too bad the Monster cable I bought was a piece of garbage. I returned it for a refund after I made the recording. The pins bent and the casing fell off within 2 days.

ya too bad the Monster cable I bought was a piece of garbage. I returned it for a refund after I made the recording. The pins bent and the casing fell off within 2 days.

Tom, I gave you the link to the place with free shipping, and the cable was only 3.80, how come you didn't order from them?

I only buy in cash and in person. I don't have a credit card. Also I needed the cable fast, because I wanted to get rid of Comcast ASAP. I couldn't stand their price gouging, outdated hardware, lack of channels and shitty service any more.

I only buy in cash and in person. I don't have a credit card. Also I needed the cable fast, because I wanted to get rid of Comcast ASAP. I couldn't stand their price gouging, outdated hardware, lack of channels and shitty service any more.

Well if you need another S-video, and you have a bank account, you can get a debit card works just like a cc.
If not you can get a debit card at any Walmart, you just add money to it. Makes online buying alot more easy, and secure sine they cover theft.

How is your pic now? I love Fios, dude, its da bomb!

looks a little better.

No Fios here, just Comcast, DTV and DN. U-Verse is supposedly coming soon but I couldn't wait. I want my HDTV (channels)!