How Do I Capture Video From DVR on My Computer?

Capture DVR video to a computer with recording software and a video card.

Digital video recorders can hold hours of programming, but the internal hard drive can eventually fill up. Moving the contents to a computer is one solution, using recording software and a PC equipped with a video capture card available at computer and electronic stores. A composite AV cable is needed to make the connection so the PC can access the contents of the DVR. Digital video requires about 10 gigabytes of storage space per hour, so the PC needs to have free memory space for saving the captured content.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with video card and recording software
• Composite AV cable

Instructions

1. Plug the yellow, white and red composite cables into the matching AV OUT jacks on the DVR and the IN jacks on the computer video card on the back of the central processing unit.

2. Open the video recording software on the computer by double-clicking the name of the program.

3. Press the "Menu" button on the DVR, then use the down arrow key to scroll to recorded programs and select the desired recording for playback.

4. Press the "Play" button on the DVR and click the "Record" button on the computer recording software.

5. Click "Stop" and select the "File" tab when finished recording. Choose "Save" and type a name for the captured DVR recording, then click "Save" or "OK."

Tips & Warnings

• Unplug the DVR from the electricity while connecting AV cables.

References

• Tom's Hardware: Transfer Programs From DVR to PC
• TiVO: How to transfer shows from your TiVo® DVR to your PC

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish