US Cable Support > Cox HSI > [CATV] Archive/copy off DVR

[CATV] Archive/copy off DVR

what model of dvr? a dvd recorder maybe? a video capture device in a pc?

reply to jsmiddleton4
Easiest way is probably a VCR. Just be sure to use a Archive quality VHS, AKA High quality, AKA what ever the manufacture happens to name it. It will have a coating on the tape that will make it last longer.

Or if your looking for something digital (but not a digital copy mind you) try something like this:

»www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a···15100112

Skip the included software and use something like VLC or InfraRecorder. If your looking form something higher quality then it gets more complex. You can get Firewire to work on most DVR's but sometimes getting the drivers to work is tricky.

reply to jsmiddleton4
Older DVRs have firewire port that you can connect to PC or other devices that can record from firewire port. But it requires you to have DRTCP copy protection in most cases.

When I had Sa8300HD DVR, it also has a copy to VCR feature that you can hook up a recording device to the old RCA video port to record it.

reply to jsmiddleton4
The 8300HD.

reply to Foxbat121
I have the equipment to capture analog out/in. If I remember correctly the 8300's firewire port is disabled. Took a firmware hack or something didn't it? But it'll be low grade SD correct?

reply to ajwees41

reply to jsmiddleton4
When I had the 8300HD (two of them). the firewire port was open and you can indeed connect to it.

If you can record off the firewire port, it will be 100% original digital copy, not the lower resolution SD from the analog video output.

I now no longer use these DVRs and switched to use my PC as whole house DVR. Any recording I made will be already on my PC. And if the show is not copy protected, I can edit and copy which ever way I wanted.

reply to jsmiddleton4
When you had the firewire hooked up did it disable the HDMI output?

::Edit:: Meant this reply for Foxbat121

reply to jsmiddleton4
Because I have the Canopus AVDC110 I can easily capture analog and convert to digital. In fact did so last night.

Only issue is my Cox DVR was updated to SARA some time ago. SARA does not have the option for sending the recorded program out to the VCR.

However I had a hunch the signal was present on the analog video out by default and sure enough video/audio available despite there being no option "Send to VCR".

I have no easy way test the firewire ports on the back of the 8300HD. I do have firewire video input options and can capture the signal via video editing software. Problem is getting the cable box, external drive, the computer, etc., all close enough to each other to connect them via my fire wire cable.

Fire wire on my laptop but would have to install the video software.

It worked very well as it is. The video I needed to capture while HD was live TV news broadcast.

Even though I used simple composite video out, good old yellow RCA jack, the imaged maintained the wide screen aspect ratio. I was surprised that the wide screen aspect ratio held. I thought it would be simple SD.

Can see it here if you are on FB. Even being compressed for FB still not too bad for what it is.

My OCD is kicking in and now I just might have to see if the Fire wire works.

»www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=468···f_t=like

reply to jsmiddleton4
Fire wire seems to be live as my Windows laptop finds it and tries to install the drivers.

That is where I run into the issue lots of others who have tried did as well.

Limited Windows drivers and no 64 bit drivers.

Windows properly identifies the 8300HD device. Just doesn't know what to do with it.

reply to jsmiddleton4
Near as I can tell IF you want to actually do something with the fire wire output it is pert near mandatory to install a 32 bit version of at least Windows XP Media Center and maybe 32 bit Vista Media Center.

There are no 64 bit drivers and no Windows 7 drivers of any kind.

Is that accurate?

reply to jsmiddleton4
Did a little more digging/testing.

My Canopus ACDV 110 can do digital as well as analog. So I used all fire wire from the 8300HD to the computer I use for video capturing.

There was no signal on the fire wire port. Whatever Windows is able to sense from the fire wire port that triggers Windows to install drivers, that is all that appears to be on that port.

The Canopus ACDV110 will power itself from the power on the 6 pin fire wire port. The 8300HD didn't ever power the ACDV110.

Part of the problem you're seeing too is Firewire is legacy. Due to lacking popularity it died quickly. Here is Steve's blunt take on the state of Firewire:

»www.edibleapple.com/2008/10/16/s···acbooks/

No doubt. Just trying to use what is already in place.

Sad that the fire wire port is available but apparently disabled.

reply to jsmiddleton4
The Firewire port is enable, the problem however is devices that can connect to it and use it are fewer and farther in between.

Define "enabled".

As noted above I have the equipment required to use it without any drivers and there is no video signal on either of the fire wire ports on the back of the 8300HD.

If there was the digital capability of the Canopus AVDC110 would have found it. The 110 is working as that is the way I captured the video/audio off the vcr out capability.

If there is someone to direct the video/audio to actually be on the fire wire ports I'd love to see the steps.

Currently, given Windows does try to install drivers and 32 bit XP Media Center does have the drivers by the way, the ports must be sorta "on". But there is nothing actually being sent to them in terms of video/audio signal.

Again if there is a way to accomplish that please let me know the steps.