Record HD from a Comcast DVR?

[elister]

Last year I got a DHCT 6412 (I think) from Comcast, just so I could record local NFL games in HDTV (naturally using the CapVHS program). It was a nice addition to my Home Theater PC. However halfway through the season, Comcast did some forced firmware upgrade which disabled the DVRs ability to stream HD to the PC using the firewire/1394 card. You could still use it as a viable video connection, you just couldn't record from it. Needless to say, I immediately returned the DVR and downgraded to limited basic (I have QAM tuners).

But now there seems to be a new DVR out there! The DCH 3416!! The latest and greatest DVR offering from Motorola.

Big question for Comcast users is, can you record HD Transport Streams using the FireWire cable or is that option still disabled?

[elister]

Anyone Anyone?

[TBoneit]

It's over

[elister]

It over in, all comcast DVRs have this anti capture flag built into the firmware?

[elister]

Thank you for being cryptic.

[TBoneit]

The DVRs are compliant to legal restrictions with regard to the broadcast flag. More and more content will be delivered via Cable/OTA/Satellite that cannot be recorded. Blame the Content providers such as HBO and maybe even at a lower level than that the studios and networks.

You had a good run. Just do a search via Google and you'll suffer info overload and all will become clear.

Search here for a thread complaing about the same thing with Satellite TV.

You can complain and shovel sand against the tide. Or you can move on and enjoy something else. Find a new way to capture. maybe a TBC can remove the broadcast flag from the analog out. I've never tested that.

It's only TV. And in this case what is to me a boring slow moving sport. I'd find it much more interesting if, Big if, the same players had to play defense and offense and timeouts only for injuries.

That will never happen. The game would be fast moving, interesting and run way to short to generate the desired advertising revenue.

[Krispy Kritter]

The problem is likely two issues. The broadcast flag to protect media AND/OR lack of support for moving/recording HD material from box to box.

[yoda313]

BUMP!!!

I just got this same hd-dvr last week. The Comcast model is Motorola dch 3416 same as the op.

Is there any update in available copying methods? I can record tnt hd and a few of the other hd channels I have (just the digital starter package for me so I have maybe a dozen cable hd stations and of course the ota hd channels).

I have a settop dvd recorder (liteon model) that has firewire input. I don't have a firewire cable to test copying currently. Would that be the best method for preserving a broadcast? Is there any way to copy and preserve the 5.1 sound?

I haven't looked at new capture cards in a long time. Are there models that would support component input and fiber optic input to record up to 1080i? What about realtime downconversion to 720x480 but preserving the 5.1?

What are the options out there for preserving cable hd channels? (aside from the previously mentioned svideo realtime dubbing).

[meowth]

BUMP!!!

I just got this same hd-dvr last week. The Comcast model is Motorola dch 3416 same as the op.

Is there any update in available copying methods? I can record tnt hd and a few of the other hd channels I have (just the digital starter package for me so I have maybe a dozen cable hd stations and of course the ota hd channels).

I have a settop dvd recorder (liteon model) that has firewire input. I don't have a firewire cable to test copying currently. Would that be the best method for preserving a broadcast? Is there any way to copy and preserve the 5.1 sound?

I haven't looked at new capture cards in a long time. Are there models that would support component input and fiber optic input to record up to 1080i? What about realtime downconversion to 720x480 but preserving the 5.1?

What are the options out there for preserving cable hd channels? (aside from the previously mentioned svideo realtime dubbing).

my solution to the flag issues with the comcast moto box i was having with fox network was to buy a hdhomerun network hd qam tuner by silicon dust. i am using it with beyondtv software on an extra pc i had. its working great for getting the local hd channels that are available via unencrypted qam. in order to get encrypted channels though i have found the intensity pro card by blackmagic design though its pretty expensive. it appears to be able to record hd output via component out from a set top box either cable or satellite. dont have one yet so cant give specifics but it certainly looks promising.

http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/

http://www.silicondust.com/

[edDV]

What has changed with Comcast?

IEEE-1394 out carries locals and some cable channels in DVHS format M2t.

QAM tuning offers local and some others unencrypted.

All this varies locally.

[yoda313]

m2t? Is that readily editable?

Would a firewire cable to a dvd recorder work? I know that would be stereo only but that would be a good test. I don't have a firewire port on my pc.

How much are firewire cards these days? If they are under $40 and i can record any hd channels downconverted to my dvd recorder that might be the best route.

Are there any specific firewire cables I have to look out for? Are there different pin types? How can you tell?

Thanks everyone.

[edDV]

m2t? Is that readily editable?

Would a firewire cable to a dvd recorder work? I know that would be stereo only but that would be a good test. I don't have a firewire port on my pc.

How much are firewire cards these days? If they are under $40 and i can record any hd channels downconverted to my dvd recorder that might be the best route.

Are there any specific firewire cables I have to look out for? Are there different pin types? How can you tell?

Thanks everyone.

MPeg transport streams are edible if the editor supports HD resolutions and MPeg. Unlike ATSC broadcast, the MPeg2 transport stream from a cable box contains only one PID (video+audio). VLC will play it. HDTVtoMPeg2 can edit it directly and convert to a normal MPeg2 file.

No it won't work with a DVD player IEEE-1394 port. Those support DV camcorders and DV format only.

Firewire cards are under $10 if you shop online. Check Newegg.

[meowth]

[quote="edDV"]What has changed with Comcast?

/quote]

my issues with comcast started in early october. i was able to transfer shows from the local fox hd channel recorded on a motorola dct6412p3 dvr to a pc via firewire. the following week i was unable to send those same shows over firewire. after a lot of troubleshooting and research i found that fox was broadcasting the primetime lineup with the 5c flag set. whether is was a firmware update on the moto box or what i dont know but the box would no longer allow transfer when it encounters the flag set.

so i decided to get the hdhomerun instead and return the comcast dvr since the only shows i wanted to record were the local hd ones anyway. the hdhomerun will pay for itself in less than 6 months when you consider i dont have to have the higher digital cable plan or dvr anymore. works for me.

[edDV]

[quote="meowth"]

What has changed with Comcast?

/quote]

my issues with comcast started in early october. i was able to transfer shows from the local fox hd channel recorded on a motorola dct6412p3 dvr to a pc via firewire. the following week i was unable to send those same shows over firewire. after a lot of troubleshooting and research i found that fox was broadcasting the primetime lineup with the 5c flag set. whether is was a firmware update on the moto box or what i dont know but the box would no longer allow transfer when it encounters the flag set.

so i decided to get the hdhomerun instead and return the comcast dvr since the only shows i wanted to record were the local hd ones anyway. the hdhomerun will pay for itself in less than 6 months when you consider i dont have to have the higher digital cable plan or dvr anymore. works for me.

Did this just happen for prerecorded shows or affect live IEEE-1394 recording as well?

Individual TV stations can set 5c for record once or no record.

Were the other channels affected or just FOX?

[meowth]

[quote="edDV"]

What has changed with Comcast?

/quote]

my issues with comcast started in early october. i was able to transfer shows from the local fox hd channel recorded on a motorola dct6412p3 dvr to a pc via firewire. the following week i was unable to send those same shows over firewire. after a lot of troubleshooting and research i found that fox was broadcasting the primetime lineup with the 5c flag set. whether is was a firmware update on the moto box or what i dont know but the box would no longer allow transfer when it encounters the flag set.

so i decided to get the hdhomerun instead and return the comcast dvr since the only shows i wanted to record were the local hd ones anyway. the hdhomerun will pay for itself in less than 6 months when you consider i dont have to have the higher digital cable plan or dvr anymore. works for me.

Did this just happen for prerecorded shows or affect live IEEE-1394 recording as well?

Individual TV stations can set 5c for record once or no record.

Were the other channels affected or just FOX?

it happened with both recorded shows and live viewing for just the fox network. the other locals all transfered fine. one side benefit i've noticed since complaining several times to comcast is i have been able to transfer several skating broadcasts that aired on espnhd that earlier this year had not been able to transfer over firewire. whether related or not dont know.

[yoda313]

No it won't work with a DVD player IEEE-1394 port. Those support DV camcorders and DV format only.

Thanks. I won't even try it then.

I'll check out firewire cards this weekend.