DVDR HDD Question

If you are wondering if a virus or malware or something of the sort will pass into your recorder, then the answer is no. You are not in danger of that happening. As for your computer, that is another story.

I agree with morc258.

Computer virus and malware programs need to load an intact digital program file directly into the device operating system. Since you are running the signal from the website thru a D/A converter and sending a simple analog A/V signal to the recorder's analog inputs, there's no way you can "infect" your recorder by recording from a website tap. Tampering with the recorder "brain" is possible by loading an infected disc, because theoretically a digital virus can be easily be picked up from disc, but its very unlikely and I've never heard of it happening.

Recorders run off a very simplified, locked-down version of Linux, which is a reasonably secure OS if set up properly. Any potential virus would need to be brand and model specific, and targeted to the firmware update system of a particular recorder. You'd be surprised how many recorders can't even update their firmware- they are usually a completely closed airtight system. Most malicious code is designed to steal personal info or turn your computer into a zombie host for hacker activity: since there have been a grand total of maybe six DVD/HDD recorder models sold with an ethernet connection, the last discontinued four years ago, its safe to say no hacker is targeting recorders.

So have a blast!