How to Create a Back Up of Comcast DVR Files

A DVR that is available from Comcast is similar to most other types of DVR systems that record and store programming on a hard drive. The programming on the hard drive typically gets erased after it is viewed to clear up space on the hard drive. There are times, though, when you will want to create a backup of the files on the DVR. Backing up the files from a Comcast DVR can be done by recording the files to a computer and then burning the file to a DVD.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Video cable
• RCA-to-1/8 inch mini jack cable
• TV Tuner card
• Nero software

1. Connect the video from the Comcast DVR to a computer that has a TV Tuner card installed. Plug one end of a video cable into the video "line out" of the DVR and the other into the video "line in" on the TV tuner.

2. Connect the audio from the DVR to a computer's sound card or onboard audio using an RCA-to-1/9 inch mini jack cable. Plug the RCA connector into the audio "line out" of the DVR and the 1/8 inch mini jack into the "line in" on the computer's sound card or onboard audio.

3. Make sure the video and audio can be seen and heard on the computer. Double-click the icon on the desktop to open the program for the TV tuner. Change the input setting in the program to find the one that is being used for the DVR.

4. Select a file to record that is stored on the DVR. Press "Play" on the DVR and then select the "Record" option in the software program to begin recording the program.

5. Save the recorded program as a movie file. The software that is used with most TV tuner cards has the option to save a recorded file as either an AVI or MPG file.

6. Convert the movie file on the computer to a DVD. Use a program like Nero that can convert and burn a movie file to a DVD.

7. Open Nero Smart Start on the computer and select the Nero Vision application. Select the "Make DVD Video" option and then add content to the project to burn to the DVD disk. Place a blank DVD disk into the drive and then select the "Burn" option to create the DVD.

Tips & Warnings

• A video connection can be used with an RCA cable and a coax cable as well as an S-Video cable. Refer to the instructions to change the input selection on the TV tuner. Nero has a total space indicator so you can see how much data is available on a disk.
• Do not run other programs on the computer when recording from the DVR or burning a DVD disk.

References

• DVR-to-PC Transfer