How can I save the recordings on my DVR when installing a new machine?

[FulltimeRVer]

Hello all, My non-HD DVR died over the weekend and the good folks at DirecTV sent me a new one. I have a ton of stuff on the old unit that I want to save. I have removed the HD from the old machine and before I have to return it I would like to save the content to the new machine or at least watch what I can of it. I have the HD in a USB housing so my question is, can I move this content to the new machine via one of the 2 USB ports on my new machine. Both units are R15 M500. Is this possible? I'm not trying to hack anything, I just want to save my recordings. Thanks for any help or advice,

Ray

 

[raoul5788]

Hello all, My non-HD DVR died over the weekend and the good folks at DirecTV sent me a new one. I have a ton of stuff on the old unit that I want to save. I have removed the HD from the old machine and before I have to return it I would like to save the content to the new machine or at least watch what I can of it. I have the HD in a USB housing so my question is, can I move this content to the new machine via one of the 2 USB ports on my new machine. Both units are R15 M500. Is this possible? I'm not trying to hack anything, I just want to save my recordings. Thanks for any help or advice,

Ray

The only way I know of is to record the hd in real time to another device. I don't think you can record to another dvr, only a vcr or dvd recorder, perhaps your computers hd.

 

[FulltimeRVer]

Thanks Raoul, I tried to copy the files from the DVR HD to my laptop via USB but they are not copyable or movable. There may be a software program out there that will let me work with them but I'm not that tech saavy. I thought sure I would be able to work with them in some way but so far I haven't found a way. I was hoping that I could just plug the HD into the new DVR via USB and it would recognize the old HD and find the content but I'm afraid to try it until someone tells me that it won't screw up the new machine. I asked the tech guy at DirecTV if it would work and he wouldn't answer my question. He just danced around it. So I'm hoping someone on this forum can help me. I just know that it can be done if I have the right person read this. Thanks again,

Ray

 

[raoul5788]

Thanks Raoul, I tried to copy the files from the DVR HD to my laptop via USB but they are not copyable or movable. There may be a software program out there that will let me work with them but I'm not that tech saavy. I thought sure I would be able to work with them in some way but so far I haven't found a way. I was hoping that I could just plug the HD into the new DVR via USB and it would recognize the old HD and find the content but I'm afraid to try it until someone tells me that it won't screw up the new machine. I asked the tech guy at DirecTV if it would work and he wouldn't answer my question. He just danced around it. So I'm hoping someone on this forum can help me. I just know that it can be done if I have the right person read this. Thanks again,

Ray

Like I said, the only way I am aware of is to copy them in real time.

 

[FulltimeRVer]

Can you explain what you mean by copy in real time? The old machine died so I can't play the stuff in real time from there. I would have to change out the HD in the new machine and I hesitate to do that. I don't want to bugger up the new one. Am I missing something?

Ray

 

[Big Dawg 23]

He means to play and the show(which you can't) and use a Tuner capture card on a PC, Component Cables to a DVD Recorder or VCR. The only thing that may work is to open both units and use the copying method listed on this site. HOWEVER, the new unit should be a leased unit and can not be opened.

 

[raoul5788]

Can you explain what you mean by copy in real time? The old machine died so I can't play the stuff in real time from there. I would have to change out the HD in the new machine and I hesitate to do that. I don't want to bugger up the new one. Am I missing something?

Ray

In real time means that you have to play them as if you were watching them, but recording them with another device, like how you would copy a vhs tape. If you put the hd into another dvr you won't be able to play what you recorded on it. You could format the hd and use it again, IIRC.

 

[harshness]

Like I said, the only way I am aware of is to copy them in real time.

I think the term you are looking for is "capture" as opposed to "copy".

HD capture cards are available for under $100. I can't comment on how well they work.

 

[raoul5788]

I think the term you are looking for is "capture" as opposed to "copy".

HD capture cards are available for under $100. I can't comment on how well they work.

No, I meant in real time. As usual you are trying to sound smarter than you really are.

 

[dishrich]

I was hoping that I could just plug the HD into the new DVR via USB and it would recognize the old HD and find the content but I'm afraid to try it until someone tells me that it won't screw up the new machine.

Sorry, but on D*, you cannot x-fer HD's to another DVR & have it play them - any existing shows are matched only to the DVR they were recorded on. This applies to both internal & external HD's.
You're SOL on this one...

 

[FulltimeRVer]

Ok Gang, I get the message. It's not worth the time, trouble and probably expense to try to save the stuff. I give up. I'll just put the HD back in the old machine and ship it back. I do think it sucks though. It's not as though we were going to pirate the content and run down to the flea market and sell it. But, I suppose that someone did so they are protecting themselves. Oh well....................

Thanks everybody for trying,

Ray

 

[harshness]

No, I meant in real time.

Real-time says nothing about the method or technology used; it speaks only the rate at which it happens.

Capture (sometimes called "digitizing") is real-time and the only way I (and I'll wager anyone else) know of to create an HD video file on a computer from programs recorded on an unmodified DIRECTV DVR.

 

[raoul5788]

Real-time says nothing about the method or technology used; it speaks only the rate at which it happens.

Capture (sometimes called "digitizing") is real-time and the only way I (and I'll wager anyone else) know of to create an HD video file on a computer from programs recorded on an unmodified DIRECTV DVR.

Exactly! Real time says nothing about the method because I don't know how the op is going to do the recording! Finally, Harsh gets it! The op might use a computer, or a dvd recorder, or even a vhs tape recorder, I don't know. Do you, Harsh? I didn't think so! So you see, REAL TIME is precisely the correct phrase to use, that's why I used it!

 

[harshness]

The op might use a computer, or a dvd recorder, or even a vhs tape recorder, I don't know. Do you, Harsh?

We know that copying the files as the OP hoped is not possible. Dubbing or digitizing are the choices.

Suggesting that there is only one method and naming it "real-time" is unhelpful; kind of like answering a request for driving directions with "35 miles per hour".

 

[raoul5788]

We know that copying the files as the OP hoped is not possible. Dubbing or digitizing are the choices.

Suggesting that there is only one method and naming it "real-time" is unhelpful; kind of like answering a request for driving directions with "35 miles per hour".

I would respond, but since your post makes no sense, I have no idea what to say. Where did I say there is only one way?

 

[harshness]

Where did I say there is only one way?

Post #4.

 

[raoul5788]

Post #4.

When I said there is only one way to copy them, I was referring to the fact that you have to play the file in real time. I posted that in #2, which if my math skills are still working, comes BEFORE post #4. That's also where I mentioned a dvd recorder or vhs recorder. If you couldn't or didn't figure that out, don't blame me for you being so obtuse.

 

[george99]

HD PVR Product overview
This will let you copy, capture or whatever you want to call it, in HD.
But you have to play it in real time, just like you are copying to a VCR.

 

[harshness]

The [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Avertv-Definition-Analog-Capture-MTVHDDVRR/dp/B002SQE1O0"]Amazon.com: Avertv HD DVR High Definition / Analog Video Capture Card PCIe MTVHDDVRR:?@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/416mMe8T1zL.@@AMEPARAM@@416mMe8T1zL[/ame] weighs in at $85. I can't yet speak for the software.

While the OP appears to be interested in SD content at this time, HD is the future and at this new price point ($100 less than the Hauppauge), it isn't out of reach.

 

[raoul5788]

So, you're not going to address my last post, Harsh? I'm not surprised.