Downloading DVR Content to My MacBook

Question

Downloading DVR Content to My MacBook

After getting an HDTV, I'm now renting a digital video recorder from my cable provider. I use iMovie HD6 on my MacBook running Mac OS X 10.4.11. Until now, I've been using a digital video camera as an A-to-D converter when downloading content from my analog cable video recorder. It would seem that the ADC piece is no longer necessary now that the output from the DVR is already in digital form. If I can find the right cable(s) and adapter(s) to cobble up an HDMI-USB cable, should I be able to just hook this between the DVR and my laptop and fire up iMovie and download saved content? Or do I need either a later version of iMovie or some other hardware/cable setup?

iMac G5, MacBook (Black), Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Apr 23, 2009 4:00 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Apr 28, 2009 2:12 PM in response to Shake 'n' Bake

I don't have a VCR with a port for FireWire or USB. I guess I'm out of luck, unless there's a way to get the video out of the box and directly onto my MacBook without any intermediate steps/devices. sigh

Reply

Answer 2

Apr 28, 2009 12:35 PM in response to Mike Strohmeyer

I want to know how this would work too. We just got a DVR box from Comcast, and it has a USB port on the front. I guess I'd need a USB cable that has two plugs that are the same, because the port looks just like the ones on my MacBook.

Does anyone know if this would work? I'd love to be able to import digital content onto my MacBook!

Thanks in advance!

Reply

Answer 3

Apr 28, 2009 2:08 PM in response to Mike Strohmeyer

The USB port is for firmware upgrades, and if there is a FireWire port, it won't work either.

Do this:

1. Plug in one end of your camcorder's composite AV cable into the cable box, and the other into the camera.

2. Use a DV to FireWire connection to get everything to the computer.

3. Turn on the box and set the camcorder to VCR or playback.

4. I use iMovie HD 6, but any version will work.

5. Play the recording on the box, and hit record in iMovie.

Message was edited by: Shake 'n' Bake

Reply

Answer 4

Apr 28, 2009 2:10 PM in response to Kittenmommy

Use a VCR.

Oops, that won't work. Get a camera or something with composite inputs and DV outputs. Not sure if that is made, though that maybe a good project...

Message was edited by: Shake 'n' Bake

Reply

Answer 5

Apr 28, 2009 2:17 PM in response to Kittenmommy

I don't think anyone's got a VCR like that.

Though the camera is only there as a catalyst. Once I get a new camera, I'll tear my current one apart and make a composite or component or whatever to FW...

I found a few converters online, but they were about $200.

Reply

Answer 6

Apr 28, 2009 2:30 PM in response to Kittenmommy

I believe the government mandated them awhile ago, but they weren't intended for the use that you're thinking of. And I've tried the direct connection, and it doesn't show up in Finder or iMovie. It does show up in System Profiler though.

Reply

Answer 7

Apr 30, 2009 8:02 AM in response to Shake 'n' Bake

I'm trying to do the same thing - that is, transfer a show from a dvr (cable company's box) to a PB G4. I've connect the camcorder to the box via the composite AV cable and the camcorder the PB via firewire. I can see the show on all three "monitors" (tv, camcorder and PB) but when I hit import IMovie stops recording after about 2.5 seconds. The show continues to play in all three monitors. Any ideas?

Reply

Answer 8

Apr 30, 2009 12:01 PM in response to Lennart Thelander

you're right. changed the save location to the PB and it works fine. thanks

Reply

Answer 9

Apr 28, 2009 2:08 PM in response to Shake 'n' Bake

OK, but what if I don't have a video camera? 😉

Reply

Answer 10

Apr 28, 2009 2:24 PM in response to Shake 'n' Bake

I just looked at it. It has a FireWire port on the back (two of them, actually!). Why couldn't I connect it directly to my MacBook with FireWire, and then use iMovie to import the video?

Reply

Answer 11

Apr 28, 2009 2:35 PM in response to Shake 'n' Bake

Hmm... maybe I'll give it a try!

Reply

Answer 12

Apr 30, 2009 9:49 AM in response to Neil ORourke

When you created the iMovie project, did you save it on an external hard drive or inside a FileVault protected area?

Reply

Answer 13

Apr 30, 2009 11:21 AM in response to Lennart Thelander

interesting question. External drive and to be more specific, over my wireless network to a mac mini's external drive. does that make a difference?

Reply

Answer 14

Apr 30, 2009 11:30 AM in response to Neil ORourke

Yes, it makes huge difference. Capturing DV requires a sustained throughput of 3.5 MB/s. You must use a local drive, or a wired gigabit network. (OK, 100 Megabit wired might also work.)

Reply