Hi. Do any of Dish Network's DVRs allow you to transfer your recorded content to an external hard drive for viewing on your PC? If so, which models?

No. No satellite DVRs allow that.

No. No satellite DVRs allow that.

You can, however, stream to your PC using DirecTV2PC:

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageNR.jsp?assetId=P4920044

Ted

No. No satellite DVRs allow that.

The FTA ones do(of which I own three), but I guess they don't fall into the "satellite subscription service" DVR box category. It's pretty disgusting how neither of the "subscription service" boxes have this feature, while the FTA ones do. Unbelievable.

The FTA ones do(of which I own three), but I guess they don't fall into the "satellite subscription service" DVR box category. It's pretty disgusting how neither of the "subscription service" boxes have this feature, while the FTA ones do. Unbelievable.

Not really too surprising. The sat companies compete on price, so they have to accept concessions like DRM from the channels they carry to get a price lower than what cablecos pay.

Ted

Not really too surprising. The sat companies compete on price, so they have to accept concessions like DRM from the channels they carry to get a price lower than what cablecos pay.

Ted

Ahh I see. Heh, I guess you're right. Forgot about political/financial aspects of it all.

Guys what about *this external hard drive* (http://www.dishnetwork.com/receivers/expandYourDVR/default.aspx) from Dish? Can I watch the pre-recorded programs from there on my PC?

Guys what about *this external hard drive* (http://www.dishnetwork.com/receivers/expandYourDVR/default.aspx) from Dish? Can I watch the pre-recorded programs from there on my PC?No. The external drive is only to increase capacity. Recordings can't be viewed on a computer.

No. The external drive is only to increase capacity. Recordings can't be viewed on a computer.

Thanks bfdtv :)

However it seems dish has released or is about to release some sort of new *SlingLoaded HD DVR* (http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/2009/01/09/dish-network-releases-the-first-ever-slingloaded-hd-dvr-and-unveils-slingguide/). What are your thoughts on this one? May be the answer to my problems, since I have a broadband wireless connection for my laptop.

I went and got the Dish 625. Nice box. Has a lot of cool features.

But I guess it's safe to assume there's no way to hack it to transfer recorded files to PC? :(

When my wife says she wants to save some show forever I burn a DVD. I use the s-video out of my Dish 622 HD DVR. I then burn a widescreen DVD with near commercial quality SD video. Since my DVD burner only has stereo inputs it is widescreen stereo. Works kind of good however. The only drawback is that it takes 2 hours to save a two hour show.

Rick R

I went and got the Dish 625. Nice box. Has a lot of cool features.

But I guess it's safe to assume there's no way to hack it to transfer recorded files to PC? :(

There are ways to transfer the files, but no one has figured out a way to decode the encrypted content.

Ted

There are ways to transfer the files, but no one has figured out a way to decode the encrypted content.

Ted

can you tell me what are some of the ways to transfer them?

Like Rick said, having to record and capture your shows in realtime sucks balls. I have dozens of shows over 2 hrs long already that would take me ages to capture if done in realtime :(

can you tell me what are some of the ways to transfer them?

Like Rick said, having to record and capture your shows in realtime sucks balls. I have dozens of shows over 2 hrs long already that would take me ages to capture if done in realtime :(

I have never done so myself. I have only read about other people doing so. They all involve removing the hard drive and putting it in a PC running Linux. If you feel comfortable doing that, then have at it. Of course, you still need to figure out how to decrypt the files once you have them copied.

Ted

I have never done so myself. I have only read about other people doing so. They all involve removing the hard drive and putting it in a PC running Linux. If you feel comfortable doing that, then have at it. Of course, you still need to figure out how to decrypt the files once you have them copied.As far as I know, no one has ever figured out a way to do it.

There no point to backing up the drive or its contents because you can't do anything with it.