Hello all,

I would like to copy my Comcast DVR saved TV shows to a portable drive to play on Tivo and return the Comcast DVR HD box, Comcast charges are ridiculous, is this possible and if so how?

Well I was going to skip replying because the effort to offload (high-def?) shows to a external drive is something I've never done and which sounds like it can be quite the effort. I'd recommend going to a Comcast 'box' thread, such as this: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=604142&highlight=3412 and searching for 'archive' or 'offload' or such - people do just what you're describing.

Regardless, the real reason for responding is to suggest instead that you buy your Tivo, start recording your shows there, and hang on to your Comcast box until you've 'emptied' it of all the old shows, then return it - might take one more month of Comcast fees but much simpler.

Offhand I don't know if the Tivo records from inputs, but if so you could alternatively hook the Comcast DVR to the Tivo and manually move shows, if the Tivo allows it. Again, though, I think a transition period is the easiest.

I would like to copy my Comcast DVR saved TV shows to a portable drive to play on Tivo and return the Comcast DVR HD box, Comcast charges are ridiculous, is this possible and if so how?

The difficulty involved would probably be more than you'd expect. There are two possible methods:

Capture to PC via IEEE-1394, then use TiVo Desktop software to allow the TiVo to pull it; this depends on the cable provider enabling the IEEE-1394 ports, the shows in question not being flagged as CCI 0x02 (copy-once), and having the TiVo on a home network connected to the Internet. You'd probably also have to remux the video from MPEG-TS to MPEG-PS.
Capture to PC via video outs, then use TiVo Desktop software as above; this would require purchasing a capture device, either for composite/S-video or something like Hauppauge's PC DVR unit for component capture. Doesn't require IEEE-1394, and flagging concerns are decreased, but expensive. Also, with the Hauppauge unit, you'd probably have to transcode the video back to MPEG-2 before the TiVo could consume it.

Either way, a lot of trouble to go to. I'd go with DaJoos' suggestion - just hang onto the Comcast DVR until you've cleared it of shows, then return it.

Offhand I don't know if the Tivo records from inputs
The modern TiVo units (the TiVo HD/HD XL) do not have composite/S-Video/component ins, they only capture via the antenna and cable in feeds, so that would not be possible.

Thanks for the feedback, It's tough I had last years US Open Golf recorded and had to give that up cause the box was faulty and now this Cisco box is not much better, that and the cost reason for going to Tivo.