Direct TV R15 to Mac via USB?

[danielmak]

I don't know if this is the best forum for this question but a search of all forums didn't bring up a specific forum for questions about Directv's new DVR. I just got this machine this weekend and am wondering about importing shows to my Mac. Can this be done with the USB port on the front of the DVR? I asked the installer but he wasn't computer savvy. If I can import from the DVR to my computer, is there anything special I need to know/do or will the files appear as they would when I plug a portable hard drive into my USB port? Thanks.

[lumis]

Nope, can't do anything with it. You can't even pull the HDD and transfer the programs to your computer.
It's pretty much locked down. I've heard it is possible to clone the drive and replace it, but if you move it to a larger drive, you wont be able to take advantage of the extra capacity.

Your only option is analog capture.

[danielmak]

Nope, can't do anything with it. You can't even pull the HDD and transfer the programs to your computer.
It's pretty much locked down. I've heard it is possible to clone the drive and replace it, but if you move it to a larger drive, you wont be able to take advantage of the extra capacity.

Your only option is analog capture.

Thanks for the info. I read about similar problems with TIVO boxes and DirecTV but I didn't/don't have Tivo so I didn't pay much attention. A friend of mine has Dish and says she can export with the USB slot on her receiver. So, Dish has a different (better) philosophy when it comes to supposed copyright violations, I guess.

[lumis]

From what I've heard you can pull the HDD on DirecTV+Tivo boxes and extract the programs to your computer. I was able to to that with the Dish Network DVR boxes as well, I never could get the USB port to work.