Do you record from DirecTV to DVD?

[mracer]

I have now experienced direct video extraction via ethernet network on a DirecTivo box. The resolution on every program on every DirecTV channel is 480x480. The bitrate is variable and appears to average anywhere from 1800 to 2800 kbit/s. The audio is MPEG Layer II on all channels except those premiums with Dolby Digital such as HBO. Here are some recent examples of the file sizes:

1. Medium - local NBC, 1 hour - 968mb
2. NCTS 10th year special, Speed Channel, 1 hour, 1284mb
3. The Matrix Revolutions, HBO West, DD, 2 hours 10 minutes, 2364mb


The compression on DirecTV is extreme. Forget about HDTV for a moment, I would be happy if they would give us 720/704x480 and 6000kbit/s video.

[mrswla]

mracer,

I am interested in setting my directivo for video extraction. What site did you use for setting yours up? I am currently exporting my to my computer using Pinnacle Studio 9.

Thanks,
Joe

[lordsmurf]

Because of how N.A. DVB/DSS streams are done, you should pretty much never extract them. GOPs length can be odd, interlace field dominance can change in the middle of the program, and audio and other things can change too. This is all done with on-the-fly hardware at the distro center, and is more trouble than it's worth. Just capture it, and save yourself the hell of editing somebody's elses crappy digital work.

[mracer]

Dtivo MPEG2's 480x480 resolution and non-standard GOP length is not DVD compliant and some DVD players choke on it. However, many peoples experience has been very positive. Some DVD players can handle it, some cannot. Many people have not had any audio problems. I was told one of the tools many people use can be set to convert the MPEG audio to Dolby Digital 2.0. If one were to use Tytool, supposedly one of the best tools available, I heard the chances of a successful experience are good. Just keep in mind that what is produced is a non-standard, non-DVD compliant disc. Some say they can transfer a 1 hour show to a PC, edit out commercials, and burn to a DVD in under 30 minutes, and the quality they say is as good as DirecTV will ever get because it has not been reencoded.

mrswla, I can't say I know how to to setup a DTivo for extraction because admission of that knowledge would be a direct violation of the DMCA. I can tell you that all knowledge is available at the deal database forum.

[mrswla]

Thanks mracer. Just did a google search on dealdatabase.


Joe

[TBoneit]

Because of how N.A. DVB/DSS streams are done, you should pretty much never extract them. GOPs length can be odd, interlace field dominance can change in the middle of the program, and audio and other things can change too. This is all done with on-the-fly hardware at the distro center, and is more trouble than it's worth. Just capture it, and save yourself the hell of editing somebody's elses crappy digital work.

Yup all the things you mention are as I understand it in the Dishnetwork streams, However the Videoredo QSF seems to work wonders on keeping the audio in sync. I have adjusted my process to extract to .ts stream, then VRD's QSF to mpeg2, edit, author, burn, watch & enjoy. Not to bad a process and not that time intensive to me anyway. Fortunately Echostars video seems to be 544 by 480 standard channels and premiums 640 by 480. (So far I've never seen a 480 by 480, only reports of it.)

Cheers

[indolikaa]

mrswla, I can't say I know how to to setup a DTivo for extraction because admission of that knowledge would be a direct violation of the DMCA. I can tell you that all knowledge is available at the deal database forum.

How so?

Interception of the payload (i.e., the encrypted data streams prior to their arrival into a DirecTV authorized decrypt script) is a crime, but I didn't realize 'extraction' of the decrypted payload was. What's the difference between extracting the data and simply passing through a set of analog outputs? I mean, if extraction of the decrypted payload was a crime, watching the television would qualify as such.

I'm curious.

[mracer]

I may be wrong about the DMCA. I am an IT/video/electronics guy, not a lawyer.



Just because I am paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.

[indolikaa]

I may be wrong about the DMCA. I am an IT/video/electronics guy, not a lawyer.



Just because I am paranoid doesn't mean there aren't out to get me.

Argh, matey.

Good thinking to protect your ass, though. 'Decrypt' is a very scary word to certain organizations.

[mrswla]

mrswla, I can't say I know how to to setup a DTivo for extraction because admission of that knowledge would be a direct violation of the DMCA. I can tell you that all knowledge is available at the deal database forum.

How so?

Interception of the payload (i.e., the encrypted data streams prior to their arrival into a DirecTV authorized decrypt script) is a crime, but I didn't realize 'extraction' of the decrypted payload was. What's the difference between extracting the data and simply passing through a set of analog outputs? I mean, if extraction of the decrypted payload was a crime, watching the television would qualify as such.

I'm curious.

I heard is may be a crime because you are extracting a completey digital signal without any degration in quality. Whereas if you export it via analog outputs you *are not* preserving the digital stream--therefore there is a loss in quality. Why supposedly that's a crime is beyond me. I think it's stupid. I believe that is also why the usb ports on the back of the tivo are also disabled, to prevent the export of digital streams. I believe if I pay for the service and I want to make a 100% digital backup, I should be able too. A lot of stuff I export (currently analog with Studio 9) are specials and the like, which will probably never come out on dvd.

Just my 2 cents worth,
Joe

[lordsmurf]

I heard is may be a crime because you are extracting a completey digital signal without any degration in quality.

No.