1080i Movies from a Digital Cable DVR to a Computer?

[mpstjohn]

I've been considering getting a Blackmagic Design Intensity HDMI card for my Mac Pro so I can move the 1080i movies I've recorded off of the HD channels to my 1.5 TB hard drive.

This is probably the closest I'll ever get to a blu-ray version of Grindhouse, at least with all the faux trailers intact. As I understand it, some but not all of the channels have some form of encryption or blocking that will prevent their broadcasts from being copied.

Anybody tried this or something like it?

[Rojas]

Originally Posted by mpstjohn

I've been considering getting a Blackmagic Design Intensity HDMI card for my Mac Pro so I can move the 1080i movies I've recorded off of the HD channels to my 1.5 TB hard drive.

This is probably the closest I'll ever get to a blu-ray version of Grindhouse, at least with all the faux trailers intact. As I understand it, some but not all of the channels have some form of encryption or blocking that will prevent their broadcasts from being copied.

Anybody tried this or something like it?

Encryption will be your biggest problem here,DRM,Flags,HDCP and so on,
these cards are made for HDMI Camcorders only.
But if you would like to try it out, to see if it works, get it from a store that you could return it for a full refund, ask before you purchase.

[master_8ball]

Originally Posted by mpstjohn

I've been considering getting a Blackmagic Design Intensity HDMI card for my Mac Pro so I can move the 1080i movies I've recorded off of the HD channels to my 1.5 TB hard drive.

This is probably the closest I'll ever get to a blu-ray version of Grindhouse, at least with all the faux trailers intact. As I understand it, some but not all of the channels have some form of encryption or blocking that will prevent their broadcasts from being copied.

Anybody tried this or something like it?

I have been wondering the same thing... I have a HD PVR and would like to keep some things instead of deleting b/c they take up so much room on the HD. I dont want to spend the money on a HDMI card for my PC, I was thinking of trying a stand alone dvd recorder and try to copy the program to a dual layer dvd... But I don't know if this will work or if the quality would change, this is assuming that the HD recording is under 9 gigs. These PVR's have usb ports in the front, it would be purfect if you could hook up an external hard drive and just transfer them over... But there has to be a way because its not hard to find broadcasted HD tv shows for download off the net.

[brewp13]

I have tried to get info from DVR to laptop several ways and have been unsucessful, but I have not tried the card. My Dad bought me a Toshiba DVD burner and I have been able to copy the content but it loses quality and aspect ratio. I have not found a DVD burner that has HDMI or component in. Does any know of one? Also i'm not sure my burner will burn dual layer DVDs. Is there a good burner for dual layer? I realize I've supplied more questions than answers, sorry about that but these may be some of the same issues you will encounter.

[mpstjohn]

Blackmagic Design's Video Recorder would more likely get around the encryption, but since its Component and not HDMI the resolution would likely be lacking.

The question is how is it people are getting these 1080i broadcasts onto the computer (at the very least it seems basic cable channels aren't encrypted) and can it be done with a premium channel if I want to hold onto a 1080i broadcast of a movie? I'm moving from my apartment and want to keep what I've recorded without having to keep the actual cable box.

Originally Posted by master_8ball

These PVR's have usb ports in the front, it would be purfect if you could hook up an external hard drive and just transfer them over... But there has to be a way because its not hard to find broadcasted HD tv shows for download off the net.

I was able to achieve this through a firewire SDK program called Virtual DVHS, thru the firewire port though. I was able to record an episode of The Sarah Connor Chronicles from my DVR onto my computer. The problem was resolution. It was no longer 1080i. It said HD but it definitely was not.

[brettallica]

Originally Posted by master_8ball

I have been wondering the same thing... I have a HD PVR and would like to keep some things instead of deleting b/c they take up so much room on the HD. I dont want to spend the money on a HDMI card for my PC, I was thinking of trying a stand alone dvd recorder and try to copy the program to a dual layer dvd... But I don't know if this will work or if the quality would change, this is assuming that the HD recording is under 9 gigs. These PVR's have usb ports in the front, it would be purfect if you could hook up an external hard drive and just transfer them over... But there has to be a way because its not hard to find broadcasted HD tv shows for download off the net.

That does work. I have done it. My setup isn't exactly what you're talking about, but it's close... The only difference being I don't have any HD inputs on my DVD recorder. It does work, though. See my diagram on how to hook up something like that.

[RIPSeanTaylor21]

component???

[mpstjohn]

Originally Posted by RIPSeanTaylor21

component???

YUV Component...

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TV...mco=NDM4ODEzMQ

as opposed to HDMI.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TP...mco=MjIzODEzNA

[Kenshiro]

You should check this out if you have a decent PC. It captures 1080i over component and DD5.1.

http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-1212...0625326&sr=8-2

[Rojas]

[QUOTE=mpstjohn;1845746] YUV Component...

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TV...mco=NDM4ODEzMQ

That Component USB Capture device is not HD it's Analog

Technical specifications
Analog video input: YUV Component, NTSC, PAL and S-Video
Analog video output: Stereo consumer-level RCA
Updates and configuration: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface (Up to 480 Mbps)
SD format support: 625/25 PAL and 525/29.97 NTSC

[mpstjohn]

Originally Posted by Rojas

That Component USB Capture device is not HD it's Analog

Huh, I only ever used Component for HD. I guess I'm stuck with the Intensity HDMI then.

[Kenshiro]

Originally Posted by mpstjohn

Huh, I only ever used Component for HD. I guess I'm stuck with the Intensity HDMI then.

Did you check the link I posted? Thats what I use to move content off my Dish Network HD DVR in 1080i over component so you don't have to worry about encryption.

[mpstjohn]

Originally Posted by Kenshiro

Did you check the link I posted? Thats what I use to move content off my Dish Network HD DVR in 1080i over component so you don't have to worry about encryption.

It looks like the software required to record with the device only runs on Windows Vista. I have a Mac.

I don't think Basic Cable channels (my recordings of Sarah Connor Chronicles, 30 Rock and The Office) will be encrypted or blocked so Intensity HDMI should work. Though Starz probably will be blocked. I'll have to move my recording of Grindhouse via firewire connection to my hard drive (and settle for less than 1080i) with DVHS.