How to copy recordings from a SA Explorer 8240HDC to a computer

[Dad-O]

Is it possible to move or copy my 6 recordings of Unnatural History (Cartoon Network) on my Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8240HDC cable box to a laptop or personal computer using the front panel USB port? If yes, will the information be readable or encoded/encrypted?

I want to exchange my current cable box for a 8300HD cable box and will lose my recordings when I exchange the box. Cox does not offer a service to transfer recordings from the old DVR cable box to a new DVR cable box.

[yoda313]

The usb port won't work for that purpose. Its mainly used for "authorized" external usb drives for extra storage. But those are all locked down with the companies own formats and restrictions that you can't use.

You will need to:

1 - copy in realtime with a capture card using composite cables for standard definition output - would capture in 4:3 letterbox if its a widescreen broadcast - though outside chance some capture units and/or your cable box would actually output 16:9 in analog standard definition - not likely though - use s video if you have it for the best possible analog standard definition capture

2 - copy in realtime with component cables to a hauppauge hd pvr for true 16:9 1080i high def captures. It can also record 5.1 audio with a fiber optic cable - note it will only be in 5.1 if the show recorded actually broadcasted in 5.1.

3 - copy via firewire to a firewire port on your computer. - This will also be realtime but note any cable channel could be encrypted meaning you'll get junk data and it won't transfer anything - also your firewire port might not be enabled on your particular box. Though it SHOULD be enabled and ONLY the premium channels like hbo SHOULD be encrypted to prevent digital transfers via firewire. Again this is a generality and every box and cable company is different.

Those are your only options for saving your recordings.

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addendum - of course if you still have a vcr or a standalone dvd recorder you could always do analog realtime dubs with composite or svideo that way.

[jagabo]

On my 8240HDC the live firewire output is encrypted. Playback from the PVR is not. But I can't get clean caps of HD material. SD works fine. HD has many macroblock errors. I have a eSATA drive hooked up for extra storage. But I haven't found any way of getting data off of that.

[DarrellS]

I couldn't get the firewire to work and had to buy the Hauppauge HD-PVR. I could get the picture with firewire but it would go in and out about every ten seconds and the audio would only play every once in a while. From what I've read, it has to do with Windows/Intel and firewire support or lack of it. Mac users reported no problems at all since firewire works correctly on a Mac.