The notes here about the files being encrypted doesn't surprise me. I'm sure a lot of the underlying technology in all these boxes is similar. But I've yet to come across a box that lets you just copy the files across and then do something that lets you watch them. There may be some kind of decrypt software in a murky part of the internet, but that's your best bet. Ten years ago, I'd have hooked my DVR to a DVD-Recorder to do this, but these days HDMI still has copy protection (unless you use a "splitter" that removes it).
I know the solution I mentioned does work - I actually gave it a go this morning. Although I should add that if you go with a cheap HDMI video converter like I did, you need to capture the sound separately - or at least feed it from your DVR to your computer. If there are phono outs on the back of your box (usually red and white), then a simple cable to the headphone jack on your computer should do it. Or you could get a USB sound card to capture the audio, which may do it in slightly better quality. Note this will only get you stereo - not surround or anything. I suspect that many who are capturing shows to put online are using these kinds of capture devices, just as the kids who stream on Twitch use them. Adam On Sat, Aug 1, 2020 at 2:07 PM Melissa P <[email protected]> wrote: > First, I should say that I'm almost 100% technically illiterate, so I > probably shouldn't even be posting. I'm probably posting information > you've already thought of. > > I also have a Comcast DVR. Anything I record on it is playable -- and > downloadable -- on my other devices, e.g., laptop, iPad, iPhone, etc. > There should be a way to capture the video on those devices, I would think. > > Also -- as everyone knows -- I'm a member of a certain fandom. I used to > read (not so much any more since so much of local TV is now available to > anyone online) that if a fan had recorded a show, someone would eventually > get to her house and get it off the DVR. So, I know it's possible. I just > don't know how it's done since I've never captured anything unique. (My > sister once got something for me off her local PBS station, but that was > years ago when people had DVD recorders.) > > Sorry if I wasted anyone's time by posting. > > Oh, but I do have another TV-related story: On Wednesday morning, before > Comcast went out for the rest of the day, I noticed that the mute button on > the remote wasn't working. On Thursday, another button wasn't operating > properly. So, I decided to take a look at the batteries, which I had > replaced not too long ago. The batteries were covered in liquid -- one or > both of them had leaked. I cleaned out the "water" as best I could and put > in new batteries, but more buttons stopped working. Bottom line: Comcast > is sending out a new remote. > > On Fri, Jul 31, 2020 at 5:35 AM 'Dave Sikula' via TVorNotTV < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> I have a technical issue that I'm hoping someone can help me with. >> >> Long story short: we weren't receiving some stations on our >> Comcast/Xfinity system, so the guy came out to fix it (as much as he could; >> apparently, there's some issue with the box on the pole across the street). >> When he re-hooked up my DVR, though, it wasn't working, and there are a >> number of things (such as my TCM intro) that I don't want to lose. (I'm >> getting an "E1:26" error message, which apparently means the box is about >> to fail, even though it was fine until he unhooked it). >> >> Is there any way to download the video on the DVR to an external hard >> drive--or even another DVR--or am I just screwed? I've consulted my >> computer guy and a friend who runs the video department at Stanford, but >> I'd rather do it myself if possible. >> >> Thanks in advance. >> >> --Dave Sikula >> >> >> -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "TVorNotTV" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tvornottv/CA%2B_fQPy3M%2BigeKbF2%3DnTb7OqcW3Cf82hJHz49r%3DXN4iuBGZr8w%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tvornottv/CA%2B_fQPy3M%2BigeKbF2%3DnTb7OqcW3Cf82hJHz49r%3DXN4iuBGZr8w%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TVorNotTV" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tvornottv/CAD_sJGC8wbscPiaoSx4q_%3D%3Dgjt3zyUsd--p39v6_q_K0c93JmQ%40mail.gmail.com.
