Simple solution for recording DSTV decoder output to PC?

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Terencek

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Anyone out there got a cheap and easy solution for recording the output from a DSTV decoder to a laptop? Perhaps taking the video and audio signals directly off the 3 RCA sockets on the decoder into the laptop -- how? I have a laptop which is being replaced and which could in theory serve as a simple PVR if it wasn't too complicated or expensive.....
 
get a linux compatible USB vidcap dongle... e.g. http://www.gadgetbox.co.za/usb-video-capture-dongle.html

then install mythbuntu on the laptop... http://www.mythbuntu.org/

then hack, crack and configure until it works.


I have a similar (more advanced) setup that captures current DSTV channel and streams it over my home network to any device that wants it... i get my hands dirty with FFMPEG and Darwin Server to cater for just about anything including android / iOS. I went further and got a USB IR transmitter and wrote a web interface that embeds the video and offers a virtual DSTV remote all in one... As a result i watch the news on my iPad in the morning... and on my way to drop the kids off at the pool... i switch to BBC food for inspiration... just to give you an idea of whats possible.

good luck. :]
 
Terencek said:
Anyone out there got a cheap and easy solution for recording the output from a DSTV decoder to a laptop? Perhaps taking the video and audio signals directly off the 3 RCA sockets on the decoder into the laptop -- how? I have a laptop which is being replaced and which could in theory serve as a simple PVR if it wasn't too complicated or expensive.....
Click to expand...

Get a cheap USB capture device, make sure the res and frame rate options are ok. Software choice is up to you.
 
Perfect, thanks guys, I now know what direction to look: a USB video capture device. I see them available from US$20 in the States so it shouldn't be too much of a big deal here. Plenty of freebie software online too, it appears.
 
What decoder do you have ? Most newer models have copy protection on their outputs, so you may need an additional device to strip this first.
 
EasyCap DC60. It's 200 bucks at Computer Corporation. Does the job. Not fantastically well, but good enough. I realised that the PVR "cleans up" old recordings a bit too late... Wish it would just get full and stop. Anyway.
 
Try a Tivo. Approx R800 locally

No need to configure anything on pc. Download movie or keep on 2TB tivo.

SD recording only though. Can record HD but it will be in SD. Or almost HR ready resolution.
 
Mier said:
What decoder do you have ? Most newer models have copy protection on their outputs, so you may need an additional device to strip this first.
Click to expand...

No need: like many decoders, the 1110 produces standard A/V output from 3 RCA plugs, in the clear. Use it for any darn purpose you like, whether to drive a TV or monitor or tap it into a recording device to time-shift your viewing. It strikes me in any case that it would be unethical for them to prohibit recording to a PC given that you can certainly record to a DVD-recorder, a HDD recorder or a good old-fashioned videorecorder.

The Tivo option sounds interesting. Didn't know they were available locally. And USB video capture devices are indeed available at around R200, as I also confirmed downtown today.
 
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