How to Test a DVR40 Drive With a PC

You can watch recorded programming from a DVR40 on your computer system.

The DVR40 is a digital video recorder commonly used by different cable and satellite providers throughout the United States. Although the DVR is typically connected with a television system, you can hook up the DVR with a computer, as long as the appropriate hardware is installed on the computer. Once everything is installed, you can test the DVR40 to make sure the recorded programming plays on the computer system.

Things You'll Need

• Coaxial cable
• TV tuner card
• Driver installation CD
• Software installation CD

Instructions

1. Connect the TV tuner card to your PC, if one is not already installed. External TV tuner cards connect to a computer via USB data port.

2. Install both the provided driver and software (information comes on an installation CD). Without both driver and software installation, the computer is unable to use or detect the TV tuner card and the DVR40.

3. Connect the coaxial cable into the "Out" port on the DVR40, then insert the opposite end of the cable into the "In" port on the TV tuner card.

4. Power on the DVR40 and load the installation software. The computer now displays the main menu of the DVR. Use the DVR's remote control to select the recorded programming. The desired show will now play back on the computer system.

References

• Tivopedia: RCA DVR40
• Tivopedia: Hughes SD DVR40