Transfer recorded content from dishnetwork to computer

[jinkazuya]

Well...I own the dish network DVR-625. I am just wondering if there is a way to record some of the programs or shows in ts format and transfer them to PC so that I could watch them whenever possible. Not trying to do something illegal but just want to be efficient. Besides, what are the components or hardware that I have to purchase? Hope somebody could help as I am a complete noob about this.

 

[unoriginal1]

I don't know about transferring the data. But something you should look into is building yourself your own Media Center. It gives the advantage of being able to record up to 4 channels, Much more hard disk space (because it's w/e you put in the pc.. So TB worth of data if you want) You can cut out the middle man per say and not have to pay monthly box rental fees and still stream to up to 4 tvs in the house.

I made a thread about it not long ago as I'm looking into it and starting to get mine put together. There is a gent on here by the name of RonInTexas. He is extremely knowledgeable about media centers and might be able to answer your data transfer questions too. BUT LOOK INTO A MEDIA CENTER!! It will save you money and no hassle on transferring data 😀

 

[jinkazuya]

Could ya tell me a bit more about Media Center? Because contents of dish network are encrypted and will that work with Media Center?

 

[unoriginal1]

Yes it will work with Dish also. And directv and cable etc. Here is a great forum for more advice. http/www.thegreenbutton.tv/forums/

Here is the Question I asked about them when I was getting started. It too will help you get more info. Ronintexas is the one that helped me out so check out this thread. http/www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1666756/home-media-center-advice-tips.html Hes a pretty knowledgeable guy when it comes to all things media centers.

 

[Wolfshadw]

I would note that cablecard devices do not work with Satellite companies. The OPs only option is to use a Dish Network set top box output to a video capture card installed in a PC. This would allow the OP to record whatever channel the set top box is set to. To my knowledge, this is the only way to get Dish Network content onto a PC.

-Wolf sends

 

[unoriginal1]

dang. Wolf is right and I apologize for jumping the gun and assuming. IT appears there are no tuner cards because dish services (dish and directv) have basically made it illegal for such devices to be made. Not because they can't.

That really sucks .

Thank you Wolf for fixing my screw up.

 

[jinkazuya]

I would note that cablecard devices do not work with Satellite companies. The OPs only option is to use a Dish Network set top box output to a video capture card installed in a PC. This would allow the OP to record whatever channel the set top box is set to. To my knowledge, this is the only way to get Dish Network content onto a PC.

Well...Just wonder what OPs is that you guys are talking about and I am just wondering what equipment I should get? Does any video capture card work? Also is it possible for me to transfer the contents from DVR of Dish Network to PC in TS format?

Besides, because most of the contents of Dish Network are encrypted, does video capture card work to bypass this restriction?

 

[Wolfshadw]

"OP" = "Original Post(er)" i.e. YOU.

The video capture card I would recommend would be the Hauppauge Colossus. Most cards would work depending on the set top box output you're using, but the Hauppauge Colossus is the only capture card I know of that can record HD content (either analog component or digital HDMI)

Transferring the content already on your Dish DVR would be a slow process as you could only record at DVR Playback speed. In other words, playback your DVR content while your PC is recording. As for what format it would be in, I believe that would be determined by your recording settings set in the recording software of the Hauppauge Colossus (or other recording device).

You bring up a good point concerning encryption. No, a capture card will not bypass any restrictions (by itself), but the set top box decrypts the content prior to output to your capture card.

-Wolf sends

 

[jinkazuya]

Sorry about asking too many questions, which seems to be a bit annoying to somebody. Anyway, when we do the real recording, are we still be able to view the contents on the TV set since we have to direct the output to the capture card of the computer? In addition to that, is it possible to record a movie (like old movie) while watching another channel like sports at the same time? I would prefer to record two or three channels at the same, not sure if that is also possible. Thanks!!!!!

 

[Wolfshadw]

Oops. My bad. I had assumed we were talking about High-Definition content.

I took a look at the specifications of the DISH Player-DVR 625 and noticed it only has Composite and S-Video outputs. The Hauppauge Colossus won't work for you as it only accepts HDMI and Component inputs.

Pretty much any video capture card that accepts either S-Video or Composite connections should work. As to your questions:

Anyway, when we do the real recording, are we still be able to view the contents on the TV set since we have to direct the output to the capture card of the computer?

Yes, you should be able to still view the content as it's being recorded, however, it may require the use of the second tuner (see below).

In addition to that, is it possible to record a movie (like old movie) while watching another channel like sports at the same time?

The specs of the device state that is does have two tuners. I assume the connections would be something along the lines of TV1 output to your primary TV and TV2 output would go to your PC. Note that I believe this requires the use of a special remote control. The two tuners work independently of each other, so you can have one channel recording (movie) while watching another (sports).

I would prefer to record two or three channels at the same, not sure if that is also possible.

Sorry, but this is not possible. Since your set top box only has two tuners, you could (theoretically) record two channels, but this would require two video capture cards and probably two PCs

-Wolf sends

 

[CT_1107]

I know this is an old thread, but here is an on-point answer for anyone with a Dish 625 (or 501/508/510/522) set top box:
PVR Explorer
http/sourceforge.net/projects/pvrexplorer-pro/

It's a free program. The downside is you have to access the internal hard drive of the Dish box (may be possible via USB otherwise the drive would have to be removed and replaced), and it only does SD content, no HD. In summary, it copies and converts the files to a standard format. One upside is that it can often recover recorded files if the box crashes.

Here's a how-to page for the software that I found:
http/classroom.synonym.com/use-pvr-explorer-copy-dvr-files-18587.html