How To Transfer A Show To Computer From Optimum DVR?

[R&MFan]

Hi guys, does anyone know how I can take a show that I recorded on my Optimum DVR and store it as a video file on a computer? I need the show to be in mp4 format, and I need to have the best video quality I can possibly get.

Please tell me what software I will need and walk me through the easiest process of doing this. Your help is much appreciated. Thanks, guys!

[Wolfen]

You'll need a capture device hooked up to your Computer preferably a USB, Win 7 compatible device and hook it up to the outputs of your DVR. Tell us what outputs are available since one is used for your TV then we'll tell you what program to use to capture the video.

[R&MFan]

Thanks for responding. I'll get back to you tomorrow on what outputs are available on my DVR. For now, I had another idea I want to run by you. I could record the DVR'd show onto a DVD, and then put the DVD into my computer, and then transfer the video file on the DVD into mp4 and store it on my computer. Would this be at all possible? If so, would it be easier or harder than the way you suggested? Please respond soon, and thanks again for your help.

[hech54]

Does your Optimum DVR copy-protect what it places on it's hard drive?

[sanlyn]

Copy protection is imbedded in almost all original broadcast signals by the signal provider, except for a few old-timers like the usual "network" and PBS stations, etc. Your DVD recorder will not record protected media, nor will it record in HD. The DVR's recordings are in the form of copy-once (meaning that you can make one recoding, after which your only recourse is to move it from one "permanent" form of storage (such as a hard drive) to another (i.e, another hard drive), but you can't copy it or re-record it. Because you have no access to the DVR's hard drive the way you can access a PC's hard drive, you can't move the recording. All Optimum and FIOS DVR's work in that manner. It is an industry standard and is one of the major reasons-for-being of the digital revolution -- not to mention saving transmission power by sending you ridiculously low-bitrate broadcasts that look like crap when they're re-recorded, even if you could do so.

The only way to record HD or most protected SD broadcasts is to use your cable box component outputs into a recording device that ignores copy protection, such as a Hauppauge HD PVR. Or, you can try using any available component outputs from your DVR if they exist and are enabled (however, even if this method works, re-recording will lose quality, and you have to view what you're doing thru the recording device). Use the outboard device to record to a computer via USB, and do whatever you want with that recording.

For now, I had another idea I want to run by you. I could record the DVR'd show onto a DVD, and then put the DVD into my computer, and then transfer the video file on the DVD into mp4 and store it on my computer. Would this be at all possible?

Sorry, but no. And even if you could, that's 3 lossy encoding stages: original, MPEG, then MP4. Great way to ruin a video.

[jman98]

For now, I had another idea I want to run by you. I could record the DVR'd show onto a DVD, and then put the DVD into my computer, and then transfer the video file on the DVD into mp4 and store it on my computer. Would this be at all possible?

Sorry, but no. And even if you could, that's 3 lossy encoding stages: original, MPEG, then MP4. Great way to ruin a video.

I'm not sure where this answer is coming from. Yes, what you propose IS possible. You can indeed play the DVRed show and record it in real time on a DVD recorder (assuming your DVR has video outputs that you can use as inputs into the DVD recorder - this should be the case) and then rip it and convert it. I'm not here to argue whether you should do that or not, but yes, you can.

[sanlyn]

Nope. I don't think you can. What connection would you use to the DVD? And how does the DVD react to the copy protection on the original recording? The O.P. would just have to try it and see.

Ed: So I found a couple of User Guide pdf's at Optimum iOTV. There's an older SD DVR, a newer SD DVR, and an HD DVR. They all have component, composite, and s-video outputs. Supposedly you can use PIP on your TV to see what you're doing, and the guides say you can transfer recordings to a VCR (!!!!) or likely a DVD recorder as well. Obviously you won't get HD unless you use component out, the others will give you letterboxed 4:3 -- and if the HD broadcast was 4:3 to begin with, thru s-video or composite you'll get a small 4:3 frame inside a bigger 4:3 letterbox+pillars. Everyone I've spoken to in my Optimum area who has tried it has said that their machines refuse to record protected media, even with a tbc in circuit.

All Optimum customers are required to use an SD or HD box. You can't view or record anything off the incoming line. I still have my old SD box and record from that into a DVD recorder, but more and more stations have copy-once imbedded thru all boxes. For HD and copy protection, I have my Hauppauge if I want to retain what I record off those stations, or occasionally I move it off the SD recorder onto DVD-RAM (the recorder will not allow copying or moving copy-once video to DVD-R, etc., only to DVD-RAM -- and the latter is a move, not a copy).

[usually_quiet]

Hi guys, does anyone know how I can take a show that I recorded on my Optimum DVR and store it as a video file on a computer? I need the show to be in mp4 format, and I need to have the best video quality I can possibly get.

Please tell me what software I will need and walk me through the easiest process of doing this. Your help is much appreciated. Thanks, guys!

Chances Optimum uses DVRs from Cisco, Motorola, etc., just like other cable providers. The recordings on the DVR's hard drive are encrypted so you can't copy them directly from the hard drive. You will need to capture the DVR's output while the recording is played back.

The Hauppauge HD-PVR and Hauppauge Colossus capture directly from analog component video outputs to H.264 using hardware encoding, and reputedly ignore analog copy protection in the signal. They can capture directly to .mp4, but there are errors in the resulting file, so it is probably better to capture as a H.264 .ts and convert to .mp4 later with YAMB or another .mp4 converter.

[sanlyn]

The PDF user guides posted on Optimum's site show pics of Scientific Atlanta DVR's. When a customer gets a DVR, they are given a small Quick Start brochure, not a full user guide. But I assume they should be available at a company public outlet, or check the website.

[usually_quiet]

The PDF user guides posted on Optimum's site show pics of Scientific Atlanta DVR's. When a customer gets a DVR, they are given a small Quick Start brochure, not a full user guide. But I assume they should be available at a company public outlet, or check the website.

Cisco bought Scientific-Atlanta in 2005, so newer DVRs will have the Cisco's name on them instead of Scientific-Atlanta.

[sanlyn]

All my boxes and every box/DVD I've seen from Cablevision have no Cisco logo. The modems and routers do (sometimes). Some of the HD boxes are Samsung.

[usually_quiet]

All my boxes and every box/DVD I've seen from Cablevision have no Cisco logo. The modems and routers do (sometimes). Some of the HD boxes are Samsung.

So what. All that proves is that, like most cable providers, Cablevision does not retire equipment that still works. (My present Comcast digital cable box dates from 2001.)

If you want proof that Cisco makes cable boxes under their own name: http://www.cisco.com/web/consumer/products/settop_8600hdc.html

[sanlyn]

I haven't been in every home in New York and Connecticut, and there's no Comcast here. I see Scientific Atlanta here on boxes and DVR's. The newest HD boxes I've seen here are Samsung (and they're crap). Modems seem to come from everywhere (mine's a Motorola). The 8300 DVR pictured in your link doesn't look anything like any DVR I've seen in NY or CT. The Optimum iO SA Explorer 8300 cosmetically matches the SA HD and SD boxes, none of which look like Cisco units. I hook up brand new ones and see them all the time, servicing my PC customers all over New York. Helping with some hurricane Sandy cleanup, many of those DVR's are brand new issues to replace older ones flooded by salt water. No Cisco. Different cosmetics. Same outputs on the back. And yes, I know Cisco makes 'em.

What difference does the logo make?

[usually_quiet]

I haven't been in every home in New York and Connecticut, and there's no Comcast here. I see Scientific Atlanta here on boxes and DVR's. The newest HD boxes I've seen here are Samsung (and they're crap). Modems seem to come from everywhere (mine's a Motorola). The 8300 DVR pictured in your link doesn't look anything like any DVR I've seen in NY or CT. The Optimum iO SA Explorer 8300 cosmetically matches the SA HD and SD boxes, none of which look like Cisco units. I hook up brand new ones and see them all the time, servicing my PC customers all over New York. Helping with some hurricane Sandy cleanup, many of those DVR's are brand new issues to replace older ones flooded by salt water. No Cisco. Different cosmetics. Same outputs on the back. And yes, I know Cisco makes 'em.

What difference does the logo make?

The fact that the boxes you hooked up are newly issued to the recipients does not mean that they are new boxes, even in a disaster recovery situation. You would have to check the model numbers. I'll bet many of them are no longer in production. BTW, I picked up my cable box in August 2012, but the inventory tags on it and the model number point to it being quite old.

The fact remains that Cisco has been putting their own name on cable boxes for some time now. As far as the logo, you seem to be the one making it a point of contention.

[sanlyn]

Not I, my man. I wouldn't go through that much trouble for my own gear, much less someone else's. I'm not that paranoid. Anyway, you're in Comcast Land, not Optimum Country. So unless you're willing to take a little road trip and spend a few days/weeks/months looking things over around here and making lists of models, serial numbers and dates to make some sort of irrelevant point about who makes your Comcast gear, for which the O.P. has no use, you're welcome to waste more of your time. Back to the O.P.'s problem, if he hasn't given up on us. I gave model info to help the O.P. recognize his DVR, not yours.

[usually_quiet]

Not I, my man. I wouldn't go through that much trouble for my own gear, much less someone else's. I'm not that paranoid. Anyway, you're in Comcast Land, not Optimum Country. So unless you're willing to take a little road trip and spend a few days/weeks/months looking things over around here and making lists of models, serial numbers and dates to make some sort of irrelevant point about who makes your Comcast gear, for which the O.P. has no use, you're welcome to waste more of your time. Back to the O.P.'s problem, if he hasn't given up on us. I gave model info to help the O.P. recognize his DVR, not yours.

Now you really look like a crackpot. My point is that all cable companies recycle their equipment endlessly as long as it is even remotely functional, and recently manufactured stock will be marked as Cisco, not Scientific Atlanta.

If Optimum/Cablevision is using Scientific Atlanta equipment it isn't new, regardless of what you think. Scientific Atlanta no longer exists as a brand. Read this http://www.cisco.com/web/about/ac49/ac0/ac1/ac259/scientificatlanta.html

[R&MFan]

Thanks for all the responses, guys! Don't worry, I haven't given up on you, and I'm not going to anytime soon. You all have given me a lot to think about. I'm not sure about copy-protection on my DVR box, I guess to find out I'll just have to try to record the DVD. I think I'll try that first because it seems the simplest to me, and I'll let you guys know how it turns out. Unless, are there any of you out there who want to try it for me? That would be good. Anyway, keep those responses coming! Thanks so much, guys!

[sanlyn]

Now you really look like a crackpot.

Let's not go that route. You picked a fine forum handle for someone who has not had all that many quiet moments around here.

My point is that all cable companies recycle their equipment endlessly as long as it is even remotely functional, and recently manufactured stock will be marked as Cisco, not Scientific Atlanta.

If Optimum/Cablevision is using Scientific Atlanta equipment it isn't new, regardless of what you think. Scientific Atlanta no longer exists as a brand. Read this http://www.cisco.com/web/about/ac49/ac0/ac1/ac259/scientificatlanta.html

Yes, I understand, and I believe, there is no doubt you are correct and no one is contradicting you. But I'm afraid you're leading R&MFan astray with pictures of Cisco gear that don't look like the stuff he uses. Here is a picture of the Cisco equipment (labeled "Scientific Atlanta") that is used around here. It is what the O.P. is using if he has Cablevision's Optimum iO service: http://www.cisco.com/web/consumer/support/settop_8300HDC_DVR.html . Or try some of the "Cisco" manuals shown on this page: http://www.cisco.com/web/consumer/support/settop_8300hddvr.html

I'm aware that all cable providers re-use stuff. They already have enough reasons for frequent rate increases without adding higher equipment cost to their list of excuses. I have not seen any "Cisco" labeled units here. If they are making cosmetic changes with Cisco-labelled stuff (and probably with units that have different output panels and user menus), they have an odd way of doing it with Samsung and Pace units starting to show up here, as I've seen in south Nassau county and upper Westchester. However, if you'd like to advise the O.P. how to work his Cisco gear you might refer him to a Cisco manual that looks like the Cisco unit you say he's using. I already had a quick look at manuals for both. They don't look the same, they have the same outputs but with a different rear panel layout, and their user menus differ.

[usually_quiet]

My point is that all cable companies recycle their equipment endlessly as long as it is even remotely functional, and recently manufactured stock will be marked as Cisco, not Scientific Atlanta.

If Optimum/Cablevision is using Scientific Atlanta equipment it isn't new, regardless of what you think. Scientific Atlanta no longer exists as a brand. Read this http://www.cisco.com/web/about/ac49/ac0/ac1/ac259/scientificatlanta.html

Yes, I understand, and I believe, there is no doubt you are correct and no one is contradicting you. But I'm afraid you're leading R&MFan astray with pictures of Cisco gear that don't look like the stuff he uses. Here is a picture of the Cisco equipment (labeled "Scientific Atlanta") that is used around here. It is what the O.P. is using if he has Cablevision's Optimum iO service: http://www.cisco.com/web/consumer/support/settop_8300HDC_DVR.html . Or try some of the "Cisco" manuals shown on this page: http://www.cisco.com/web/consumer/support/settop_8300hddvr.html.

I'm aware that all cable providers re-use stuff. They already have enough reasons for frequent rate increases without adding higher equipment cost to their list of excuses. I have not seen any "Cisco" labeled units here. If they are making cosmetic changes with Cisco-labelled stuff (and probably with units that have different output panels and user menus), they have an odd way of doing it with Samsung and Pace units starting to show up here, as I've seen in south Nassau county and upper Westchester. However, if you'd like to advise the O.P. how to work his Cisco gear you might refer him to a Cisco manual that looks like the Cisco unit you say he's using. I already had a quick look at manuals for both. They don't look the same, they have the same outputs but with a different rear panel layout, and their user menus differ.

I posted this:

If you want proof that Cisco makes cable boxes under their own name: http://www.cisco.com/web/consumer/products/settop_8600hdc.html

I specifically said the link was proof that Cisco manufactures cable boxes and DVRs under its own name and you still attempted to misconstrue what I wrote. I NEVER said that the OP used the model illustrated. Even the OP has not said what he has. You are the only one who said the OP has any particular DVR model.

Yes, I understand, and I believe, there is no doubt you are correct and no one is contradicting you. But I'm afraid you're leading R&MFan astray with pictures of Cisco gear that don't look like the stuff he uses. Here is a picture of the Cisco equipment (labeled "Scientific Atlanta") that is used around here. It is what the O.P. is using if he has Cablevision's Optimum iO service: http://www.cisco.com/web/consumer/support/settop_8300HDC_DVR.html . Or try some of the "Cisco" manuals shown on this page: http://www.cisco.com/web/consumer/support/settop_8300hddvr.html.

Cisco is re-using Scientific Atlanta's original documents for some models, and you found the links to the manuals on this page http://www.cisco.com/web/consumer/support/prod_tv_set_tops.html. I don't see "Scientific Atlanta" anywhere on that page, only "Cisco". If people want the manufacturer's product information for the former Scientific Atlanta models today, they have to look for their model with the "Cisco" brand name attached.

[sanlyn]

You should explain to the O.P. how to use his Cisco unit, should questions arise.
http://www.optimum.com/digital-cable-tv/dvr/

[usually_quiet]

You should explain to the O.P. how to use his Cisco unit, should questions arise.

As I said earlier, the OP has not said what model of DVR he has.

[R&MFan]

Thanks again for all the responses, guys, you've been really helpful! I have a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD DVR. It has a few ports on the front that say things like Aux. Input, Aux. Video, and Aux. Audio. It also has a port on the front that looks like it may be a USB port. I hope this helps.

[sanlyn]

Ever heard of Google?

Optimum online: Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD Digital Cable Box/DVR
http://optimum.custhelp.com/app/answ...able-box%2Fdvr

DVR User Guide: http://www.optimum.com/pdf/user_guides/dvr_guide.pdf

[usually_quiet]

Thanks again for all the responses, guys, you've been really helpful! I have a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD DVR. It has a few ports on the front that say things like Aux. Input, Aux. Video, and Aux. Audio. It also has a port on the front that looks like it may be a USB port. I hope this helps.

The USB ports won't help you. They are reserved for future use and nonfunctional.

The eSATA port is used for attaching an external hard drive for extra storage, but the recordings are still encrypted and unusable by any device other than the individual box that created them.

The only port on your DVR that might output a high-definition signal that you can capture using a computer without buying a capture device is an IEEE 1394 port. IEEE 1394 was used by some early HDTVs and video recorders instead of HDMI or DVI connections. However, there are very specific technical requirements for using this approach and even if they are satisfied, it frequently isn't possible to capture DVR recordings that way. The output stream is often scrambled or the IEEE 1394 ports are blocked to prevent it.

Your best chance for reaching all the goals mentioned in your original post is still to use one of the two Hauppauge capture devices I mentioned to capture the output from the DVR's component video connections and RCA stereo audio connections or optical S/PDIF audio connection.

Capturing from the HDMI port on a DVR is more difficult because cable boxes and DVRs apply HDCP to their HDMI output and HDMI capture devices are designed to prevent recording HDCP-protected output.

It may be possible to use the composite and S-video ports plus stereo audio ports with a standard definition capture device. However, the resulting video will be of lesser quality than that obtained using component video for capture and it may only provide the opportunity to record a picture that is letter boxed, pillar boxed or both. You would need to get a standard definition capture device and software that ignores analog copy protection in the signal for your computer, or something like the Dimax Grex digital video stabilizer that removes analog copy protection to allow you to use a DVD recorder for making a DVD. I should warn you that I have seen reports from users that say the Dimax Grex and similar devices worsened picture quality to some degree, although not every owner experiences a significant problem in that area.

[R&MFan]

Hi again, guys. Thanks for all your responses. I've tried each of your ideas, but I just can't get anything to work. The video either comes out fuzzy and staticy, in really bad quality, or simply doesn't work at all. I've searched the Internet for various guides, and have tried lots of things that also don't work. So I'm just going to buy my TV episode off of iTunes and try to figure out how to remove the DRM protection. It will be better that way because the episode will be in much better quality, it won't have the watermark at the bottom of the screen or the banners that come up occasionally during the DVR, it will have the show's credits (which the DVR recording off of live TV doesn't have), and I won't have to worry about editing out the commercials. But thanks again for being so helpful, everybody, I really appreciate it!