Can you connect a PC to a DVD HDD device?

[ktmsprocket]

Can you connect a PC to DVD HDD recording device such that you can see the HDD on the devoce as just another external drive to the computer?

[Krispy Kritter]

No. The interfaces on DVR's/DVD Recorders/etc. aren't designed to interface with a PC.

[ktmsprocket]

Krispy...thanks.
I have a followup question though...if you pull the HDD and put it in a case and connect it to your pc via a USB, will the pc see the drive and the files (in a structure)? (I have a XP based laptop).
J

[stackner]

i belive it depends on the dvd recorder. my guess would be they are not structured in an easy to recognise maner or as .mpg or .vob files but that you may actually be able to open them with something. now viewing the actual hdd in windows is another story.

[Krispy Kritter]

The files are typically recorded in a proprietary format (ie: not a standard windows format). As for the HDD's, they are typically not formatted in a way that Windows can read.

If you want to get the files onto your computer, you will need to play back the files on your recorder and then record/capture them on the PC or find out if the files can be transferred from the recorder to a PC via USB/firewire/etc. You typically can't just move the HDD to a PC.

[tekkieman]

I thought many of the recorders saved the files as transport streams. As to the drives, I know many of them are formatted as ext2/ext3. They should be able to be read by Windows using a utility like Ext2 IFS (installable file system) for Windows.

I have streamed the video from cable boxes via firewire, but my DVD recorder limits firewire to input only. Since this is listed as a DVD/HDD recorder (model number might help :wink: ), can the video be played back and recorded to DVD at the same time?

[stackner]

the way i do this is to simply copy the recording from the hdd to a dvd-rw/dvd+rw on the rvr recroder (takes me kax of 15 mins) then rip it to the hard drive of my pc like any dvd. i can then edit it how ever i want. end result is the same just takes round 20 or so minutes to get it onto your pc hdd.

[oldfart13]

Yes, Pioneer 660 does this. You can then transfer content to the HDD via your router....

[stackner]

Yes, Pioneer 660 does this. You can then transfer content to the HDD via your router....

??? please explain? never herd of a dvd recorder connecting to a router.

[oldfart13]

Brand new recorder. Just saw it the other day at Futureshop (Canada). It has a computer LAN port for transferring files such as Divx, MP3, Wave, etc. to the HDD. Wish I could get another look at the manual. Maybe when I get back down there today or tomorrow. You can connect it directly to the computer or through the router on a network. I want to know if this will work with wireless networks though. It doesn't say anything about that in the manual but we'll have to wait til someone gets one so they can confirm or deny.

[oldfart13]

Hmmm....according to the manual, the IP address is set either manually or automatically (your choice). Pix show a typical setup with a wired router. I don't have $550 + tax to check this one out though...

[oldfart13]

One way connection though. PC to DVD Recorder HDD. Can't apparently do the reverse.