Spectrum DVR BitRate?

[Ed McCauley]

When I capture recorded video from my Spectrum DVR, my software doesn't detect the bitrate it just asks what I want to use. I can't find any software that would detect it... I don't want to reduce the picture quality by setting it too low, nor waste disk space by setting it way too high. Presumably, it's variable, so I've asked Spectrum what their max bitrate is, and no one seems to know.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Tom

[october262]

When I capture recorded video from my Spectrum DVR, my software doesn't detect the bitrate it just asks what I want to use. I can't find any software that would detect it... I don't want to reduce the picture quality by setting it too low, nor waste disk space by setting it way too high. Presumably, it's variable, so I've asked Spectrum what their max bitrate is, and no one seems to know.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Tom

this is from the AI response i get -

Spectrum does not publish specific, consistent bitrate specifications for its DVR services, as the actual bitrate can vary by channel, compression technology, and delivery method (traditional cable box vs. streaming app)
.
Here is what is generally known about the quality and bitrate:

Traditional DVR Boxes: The output resolution for traditional cable boxes is typically 1080i (interlaced) or 720p, not 1080p. The video is often highly compressed. Reports from users and former employees suggest bitrates can be limited to around 9.5 to 12.5 Mbps, which is below the recommended minimum for optimal MPEG-2 HD quality (19.2 Mbps). This heavy compression can lead to macroblocking or pixelation during fast-motion scenes, such as sports.
Spectrum TV App (Cloud DVR): The picture quality on the Spectrum TV app (used with devices like Apple TV 4K, Roku, or the Xumo Stream Box) is often perceived as better than the traditional cable box, but it is also a lower bitrate streaming feed than a direct broadcast from the content provider's own app. The app can support up to 4K resolution on supported devices and content.
Cloud DVR Storage: Spectrum offers a Cloud DVR (cDVR) service that records programs remotely, allowing viewing on various devices. The storage is based on the number of shows or duration, not bitrate or raw capacity, further indicating the bitrate is managed internally by Spectrum.

[Ed McCauley]

When I capture recorded video from my Spectrum DVR, my software doesn't detect the bitrate it just asks what I want to use. I can't find any software that would detect it... I don't want to reduce the picture quality by setting it too low, nor waste disk space by setting it way too high. Presumably, it's variable, so I've asked Spectrum what their max bitrate is, and no one seems to know.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Tom

this is from the AI response i get -

Spectrum does not publish specific, consistent bitrate specifications for its DVR services, as the actual bitrate can vary by channel, compression technology, and delivery method (traditional cable box vs. streaming app)
.
Here is what is generally known about the quality and bitrate:

Reports from users and former employees suggest bitrates can be limited to around 9.5 to 12.5 Mbps, which is below the recommended minimum for optimal MPEG-2 HD quality (19.2 Mbps). This heavy compression can lead to macroblocking or pixelation during fast-motion scenes, such as sports.

Great! Thanks.

I'll try 20Mbps and see what file size I end up with.

Tom