HR20 died - can I retrieve recorded stuff for transfer?

[bgcarl]

My faithful HR20-700 finally quit so thinking about getting another HR20 but want to consider a newer HR25 with AM21 for the locals. Is there any way I can extract the previously recorded programs from my dead HR20? I've heard that the HD is solidly married to the DVR but thought I would check with the experts. Also, any comment on the HR25's performance? I can get a cheaper HR24 but don't want to compromise much on specs.
Appreciate anyone's advice.

Bryan
Five HR20s (one deceased) with SWM that I converted from Slimline 5.

 

[raoul5788]

The only way to get files off is by playing them in real time. I don't think there is an HR25 yet. The HR24 is the best of the dvrs that Directv has.

 

[Jimbo]

My faithful HR20-700 finally quit so thinking about getting another HR20 but want to consider a newer HR25 with AM21 for the locals. Is there any way I can extract the previously recorded programs from my dead HR20? I've heard that the HD is solidly married to the DVR but thought I would check with the experts. Also, any comment on the HR25's performance? I can get a cheaper HR24 but don't want to compromise much on specs.
Appreciate anyone's advice.

Bryan
Five HR20s (one deceased) with SWM that I converted from Slimline 5.

The only way to get files off is by playing them in real time. I don't think there is an HR25 yet. The HR24 is the best of the dvrs that Directv has.

Correct, HR24 and H25 at this point.

 

[bgcarl]

Thanks for the replies. I feared the worst about being able to salvage recordings. Too bad D* couldn't have enabled a more user-friendly design for such instances. I guess there must be occasional failures and it seems a shame to prevent restoration when the rest of the machine won't boot up. Also, I'm disappointed that the OTA was eliminated in later models that now requires an extra box (and expense) that used to be integral in the unit. Do I suspect some protectionism/profit motive here? I realized my error after sending my origianal post about the "pre-invention" HR25. Saw an H25 and a senior moment took over.
I appreciate the info, guys.

Regards,

Bryan

 

[raoul5788]

If you are replacing an HR20, tell Directv that you require ota capability and want an AM21 for free. They may well provide one to you.

 

[bgcarl]

If you are replacing an HR20, tell Directv that you require ota capability and want an AM21 for free. They may well provide one to you.

Great suggestion, Chip. Surely nothing to lose.
Thanks,
Bryan

 

[Reggie3]

I think we have the capability to add a external drive to our DVRs right but I think they are tied to the receiver and could not be moved to your new one. Have not really kept up with the info them as I never looked at using one.

 

[Jimbo]

If you are replacing an HR20, tell Directv that you require ota capability and want an AM21 for free. They may well provide one to you.

They wouldn't for me ....:-(

Sent from my Samsung Epic using SatelliteGuys

 

[Jimbo]

I think we have the capability to add a external drive to our DVRs right but I think they are tied to the receiver and could not be moved to your new one. Have not really kept up with the info them as I never looked at using one.

You are correct, EHD's are being used by many of us, also, you cannot more them to the next recvr as they are married.

If you try, you'll find anything that was recorded on Sat, won't show.

Sent from my Samsung Epic using SatelliteGuys

 

[JerseyMatt]

Thanks for the replies. I feared the worst about being able to salvage recordings. Too bad D* couldn't have enabled a more user-friendly design for such instances. I guess there must be occasional failures and it seems a shame to prevent restoration when the rest of the machine won't boot up.

No company's DVR allows this. It's due to restrictions by the content providers. If it were easy enough for someone to do that, it would just make it easier to pirate recordings (and I know it's easy already, just saying that's the company line). There's also no way to access the internal drive without opening the case, which violates your lease agreement.

 

[dfergie]

No company's DVR allows this. It's due to restrictions by the content providers. If it were easy enough for someone to do that, it would just make it easier to pirate recordings (and I know it's easy already, just saying that's the company line). There's also no way to access the internal drive without opening the case, which violates your lease agreement.

Actually with the dish dvrs you can move external drives & programming from one dvr to another as long as they are on the same account...

 

[Jimbo]

Actually with the dish dvrs you can move external drives & programming from one dvr to another as long as they are on the same account...

Really .... Thats great, wonder if D* will take up that line of thinking ?

 

[JerseyMatt]

Actually with the dish dvrs you can move external drives & programming from one dvr to another as long as they are on the same account...

Really .... Thats great, wonder if D* will take up that line of thinking ?

I wasn't aware of that.. But isn't the EHD functionality on Dish DVRs a 'backup/restore' type setup? Meaning it doesn't store directly on the EHD and you can't watch directly from the EHD, you have to manually move things back and forth to the internal drive?