Copy recorded program from DVR to MBP

Question

Level 1

4 points

Copy recorded program from DVR to MBP

Using my 17" MBP I want to make a DVD from a video source (DirecTV DVR) that has the yellow video jack and the red and white audio output jacks. The MBP does not have similar inputs.

The DirecTV DVR also has an optical audio output which I can use to connect the audio to the MBP, but how do I transfer the video?

Mac Pro (Intel); MacBook Pro 17" Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Jan 7, 2007 10:01 AM

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Answer 1

jkapple

Level 1

45 points

Jan 7, 2007 12:20 PM in response to Mensa

The only way I can think of is to use a regular Cable tv plug and get a piece of hardware like a tvmicro and plug it into the laptop out of the dvr box.

As you play it on the box, record on the laptop.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/6364002/wo/SB3J8 tM55ePR2rjVVOw1dGBzKNh/1.0.21.1.0.8.25.7.11.0.3

I will test this when I get home and post back.

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Answer 2

iVmichael

Level 6

13,740 points

Jan 7, 2007 1:15 PM in response to Mensa

I use a Canopus ADVC 100 box to convert analogue AV inputs to Firewire
http://www.canopus.com/products/videoconversion.php

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Answer 3

jkapple

Level 1

45 points

Jan 7, 2007 7:15 PM in response to Mensa

It worked. I simply plugged a cable into the out on my comcast box, plugged it into the tvmicro adapter and went into the recording on the box and hit record in eyetv. I also can burn it onto a dvd later.

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Answer 4

Mensa Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 7, 2007 8:04 PM in response to jkapple

Thank you. I think we are getting somewhere.
I'm not familiar with the Comcast box. My DVR has a composite video (yellow RCA jack) and left and right audio (white and red RCA jacks). So, in my situation, what gets connected to the tvmicro? Also, is the "eyetv" software or hardware and is it part of the tvmicro?

Mac Pro (Intel); MacBook Pro 17" Mac OS X (10.4.8) 30" Cinema Screen

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Answer 5

jkapple

Level 1

45 points

Jan 8, 2007 7:09 PM in response to Mensa

yes. the eyetv software comes with the tvmicro.

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Answer 6

Mensa Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 8, 2007 8:48 PM in response to jkapple

My DVR has a composite video (yellow RCA jack) and left and right audio (white and red RCA jacks). So, in my situation, what gets connected to the tvmicro?

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Answer 7

jkapple

Level 1

45 points

Jan 9, 2007 4:32 AM in response to Mensa

The tv micro only accepts a regular catv cable. (the round one). Therefore you may have to buy some sort of adapter.

I will research this for you when I get home later.

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Answer 8

Mensa Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 13, 2007 9:11 PM in response to jkapple

I discovered a Canopus 110 I bought 2 years ago to use with my digital video camera and my PC (that's now history).
It appears that this might solve my problem since it accepts the composit video and l/r audio on the front panel and can output through a 6-pin firewire from the rear panel. I'm going to try this tomorrow.

In locating the various outputs on the rear of the DirecTV (DVR), I found a pair of usb connectors. I am having a usb cable made up with a male and female connectors (the DVR uses a different connector than the computer). If I can access the DVR hard drive this way I would be able to download MPEG files directly and avoid the loss inherent with composit video.

I'll report back.

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Answer 9

Jan 14, 2007 7:14 AM in response to Mensa

If your DVR is like mine (HR20), the USB connector will NOT give you access to the video files on the drive. Connecting a USB cable to your DVR is not a magic button - the DVR only outputs files and data the way it's programmed to, which is through the analog and/or HDMI interfaces.

What you need is an interface box that accepts composite (yellow/red/white cables) or S-video signals, the regular standard definition outputs of all DirecTV receivers. You need something like the Canopus ADVC110 that accepts analog signals and lets you import them through Firewire into your MBP.

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Answer 10

Mensa Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 14, 2007 12:50 PM in response to Herb Schaltegger

Herb, thanks for you post. My DVR is the HR-10 250. Hopefully it will be different than the prior model DVR. "Anywho," I found the Canopus ADVC110 that I bought 2 years ago to use with my digital camcorder and my PC, before I switched to the Mac.
Canopus tech support just told me precisely what you said, so I know that this will be a viable option. But I would much prefer the USB approach to copy the file directly, because that would give me cleaner video.

I'll keep you posted.

Mac Pro (Intel); MacBook Pro 17" Mac OS X (10.4.8) 30" Cinema Screen

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