How to Transfer Movies From Direct TV DVR to Computer

Download video directly from your satellite receiver or DVR to your computer with a Canopus box.

A DirecTV Digital Video Recorder is simply a computer with limited capabilities. It is capable of recording video at specific times designated by the guide software and storing it until the user is ready to watch. This video can also be transferred to a computer for storage and can be played on the computer as well. Because DVRs have limited capacity, transferring your recordings to a computer a good option for long-term storage of programs and movies.

Things You'll Need

• Canopus ADVC110
• RCA audio/video cables (yellow/red/white)
• Computer with Firewire port (or 1394 port)
• Firewire cable

Instructions

1. Locate the Firewire port on the back or side of your computer. It is a rectangular port with two indented corners. The port could also be labeled "1394." Insert one end of the Firewire cable into this port. Then locate the Firewire port on the Canopus ADVC, which looks identical to your computer's port. Insert the other end of the cable into this port.

2. Locate the RCA audio/video outputs on the back of your DirecTV DVR; they are three round ports color-coded yellow, red and white. Insert one set of ends of the cables into these ports. Then find the identical ports on the Canopus ADVC, marked "Input." Insert the other ends of the cables into the input ports.

3. Press the Input Selector button on the front left of the Canopus box to switch the unit to Analog In.

4. Open your video-capture software on your computer. If you're using a Mac, you can use the iMovie program; if you're using a PC, you can use Windows Movie Maker. Set the software to capture video, then select the ADVC110 as the source. Set the file size or file quality to maximum. Start your program on your DVR, then press record on your computer. Press Stop on both units when the program is complete.

Tips & Warnings

• If your computer does not have a Firewire port, most laptops will accommodate a Firewire expansion card. Simply slip the card into a port on the side of your computer. If you're using a desktop, you will need to permanently install a card with a Firewire port.

References

• Safemanuals.com: Canopus ADVC110 Manual