Recording Off TV

[carpets]

How do you record off of television using an external USB DVD recorder?
I have DISHDVR but it doesn't have a USB input in the back so I was wondering if there was any other way to record.

Like let's say I want to make custom TV series DVDs. How would I do that with an external DVD writer.

[FulciLives]

How do you record off of television using an external USB DVD recorder?
I have DISHDVR but it doesn't have a USB input in the back so I was wondering if there was any other way to record.

Like let's say I want to make custom TV series DVDs. How would I do that with an external DVD writer.

Do you have a stand alone DVD recorder or a USB DVD burner meant to be used with a computer?

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[carpets]

Neither, but I'm thinking of buying the DVD burner USB made for the computer.

[FulciLives]

Neither, but I'm thinking of buying the DVD burner USB made for the computer.

Well you can't copy video directly to such a DVD burner.

First you need to "capture" it to your computer using some sort of capture device. There are many many choices here. Some are cheap and some are expensive. The most popular is the Canopus ADVC-100 and has an MSRP of $300 but can be found for as low as $250

Some capture devices need the video to be processed ... some don't. This can be a long process if you have to do it BUT once you learn what you are doing it is the BEST way. But in short it takes time.

Then you need to use special software to create your DVD files. Depending on the program you use this can be quick and easy or another long process.

Then you need to burn it. Depending on the speed of your burner and the type of recordable DVD media you are using this will take 30 minutes to 15 mintues on average for a full DVD.

In short the computer process is long and cannot be summed up in a single post with any level of detail.

I like this method because you can maximize quality but it can take a long time and is very technical and therefore not for everyone.

A stand alone DVD recorder can do a good job and works just like a VCR ... you simply hit RECORD and you are done ... more-or-less.

All I am saying is that you need to do a lot of research (using this site and also the doom9 website) and decide which method you want to try.

It sounds like maybe you want something that is easy ... if so then the computer method is not for you and you are better off with a stand alone DVD recorder.

I suggest you look at the Panasonic models they are most popular mostly because they work rather well and have some great features compared to other brands.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[carpets]

If I get a reciever with a USB plug in thing in the back, then can't I just directly connect that to my DVD burner and start burning without any extra software that will cost just as much as the DVD burner itself.

[FulciLives]

If I get a reciever with a USB plug in thing in the back, then can't I just directly connect that to my DVD burner and start burning without any extra software that will cost just as much as the DVD burner itself.

I have no idea what you are talking about. What is a "reciever with a USB plug in thing in the back"?

In short the answer is NO

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[carpets]

Sorry... I'm talking about my DishDVR which is a lot like Tivo. The reciever for it has a USB plug in in the back of it so I was wondering how that works with the DVD writer.

[FulciLives]

Sorry... I'm talking about my DishDVR which is a lot like Tivo. The reciever for it has a USB plug in in the back of it so I was wondering how that works with the DVD writer.

No. It will not work.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman