Upgrading to a new DirecTV DVR may bring new features and functionality, but it also may mean that your recorded shows are lost. You can, however, transfer recorded shows when replacing a DirecTV DVR by utilizing one of these alternative methods.
Contact DirectTV
DirecTV DVR boxes cannot be linked together to transfer recorded shows from one to the other – and the boxes also cannot be directly hooked up to the computer to transfer recorded shows. This is due to encryption on the box and is meant to prevent unlawful copying and distribution of recorded shows. If you are replacing a DirecTV DVR with another DirecTV DVR, you may be able to get DirecTV to transfer the recorded shows from the old box to the new box as they have special equipment for some boxes that makes this possible. You can contact DirecTV over the phone to see if this is an option. If it is not, then you can try an alternative method such as those discussed in the sections below.
Use a Video Capture Card or Device
This keeps users from scheduling recordings. Also, when users don't have an active subscription, they cannot access streaming services such as Netflix, Pandora Radio or Amazon OnDemand. Typically, the only functionality a TiVo can perform without a subscription is 'Trick Play,' which allows users to pause, fast-forward or rewind live television. THIS EQUIPMENT IS INTENDED TO RECEIVE AND DECODE SIGNALS. The DIRECTV HD Receiver delivers a variety of programs from DIRECTV and has a built-in HD Receiver. Pressing the FREEZE button freezes the current image.
If you want to preserve the shows you recorded on your DirecTV DVR but are OK with the shows being transferred to a computer then you may consider using a video capture PCI-e card or video capture device. The video capture card or device works by capturing any audio and video from an analog cable (such as a composite, component or coaxial cable) hooked to another device such as a video game system or DVR. This video is then captured and saved onto your computer. An HDMI cable will not work for these purposes due to encryption from the DirecTV box.
You can transfer recorded shows from your DirecTV DVR with a video capture card or device by plugging an analog cable into the output jack of your DVR and then plugging the other end of this cable into the input jack on the video capture device. Play your recorded show and hit the record button on your video capture device to save it. Use the device’s included software and follow the software maker's suggestions for getting the best quality video capture.
Use a VCR or DVD Recorder
If you do not want to purchase a video capture card or device, you can take the less expensive route and use either a VCR or DVD recorder to keep a copy of your recorded shows. Both the VCR and DVD recorder devices work in a similar way to the computer capture device, except the recordings are not transferred to the computer and are instead saved to either a VCR tape or a DVD.
As with any capture device, you will need to playback the shows and manually record each with either a VCR or DVD recorder. DVD recorded shows have the benefit of being higher quality and can be transferred from the DVD to your computer, while recording with a VCR may be much cheaper if you already have an old VCR lying around your house.
Warnings
Do not share your recorded shows with anyone. You cannot easily copy shows from your DirecTV DVR because of piracy concerns by cable networks and your cable provider. You can, however, legally record and play back shows as the United States Supreme Court ruled in 1984. Recorded shows do not violate copyright laws unless the material is redistributed.
Warning
- If the program you are attempting to transfer to DVD disc is copy-protected the DVD recorder will display an error message indicating that the program cannot be copied to the disc.
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DirecTV digital video recorders store video files on their hard drives in a proprietary format. However, their video outputs make it simple for you to transfer video to your notebook computer. All that you need to do is to connect those outputs to a video capture device connected to your notebook computer and you can then record the program right on your computer. Since there are a number of video capture devices that connect over USB, you don't need a desktop computer to do this -- just about any notebook computer can capture and record video.
Step 1
Plug your video capture device's USB plug into an open port on your [notebook](https://society6.com/notebooks?utm_source=SFGHG&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=2389) computer.
Step 2
Insert the red and white connectors on your analog stereo interconnect into the correspondingly color-coded jacks marked 'Audio Out' or 'Audio Output' on the back panel of your DirecTV DVR.
Step 3
Plug the other end of the audio interconnect cable into the red and white input jacks on your video capture device.
Step 4
Insert a video cable into your DirecTV DVR's video output. If both your DVR and your video capture device have one, use a round four-pin S-video cable for the best connection and plug it into the port marked 'S-Video' or 'S-Video Out.' If you cannot use an S-Video cable, use a composite video cable that will look like an audio cable but may be color-coded yellow. Plug it into 'Video Output' or 'Video Out' jack on your DVR.
Step 5
Plug the other end of the cable into the video input on your capture device.
Step 6
Step 7
Press the 'Power' button on your DVR's remote to turn it on.
Step 8
Press the remote's 'List' button to bring up the list of recorded programs in your DVR.
Step 9
Scroll down to the program that you want to transfer to your laptop by using the up or down arrows on your remote's directional pad.
![Decrypt Directv Dvr Recordings Freeze Decrypt Directv Dvr Recordings Freeze](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125841621/514109074.jpg)
Step 10
Press the 'Play' button on your remote control to start the program.
Step 11
Press the 'Record' button on your laptop's video capture software as quickly as possible after starting the program.
Press the 'Stop' button on your laptop's video capture software as soon as possible after the program finishes.
Items you will need
- USB video capture device
- Composite or S-video video cable
- Analog stereo interconnect cable