DSTV PVR - downloading to PC

kaspaas

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Hi,

I noticed on a friends PVR a USB port.

Is it possible to download recordings from the PVR to a PC and burn it to DVD?

It is a time consuming schlepp to play the recorded stuff into a DVD recorder.
 
I have enquired about the USB port. I was told it was for future usage. I can only assume the BIOS or Software is not compatible yet.

I would really like to use it too.
 
hmmm, ya, and i do know that that pvr records the movies into mgeg2, which means its possible to watch tho movies on ones computer, and theres another usb port at the back of the pvr, i would asume that they will be used for a modem and keyboard, i highly doudt they'll use them so that you can copy off the disk, it's piracy then and they could get sued,
 
The video recorded on the PVR's hard disk is encrypted using the same encryption as the broadcast so without an active smart card and irdeto cam you won't be able to decrypt the video.

I also doubt the the USB port is there to download movies in future.
 
The video recorded on the PVR's hard disk is encrypted using the same encryption as the broadcast so without an active smart card and irdeto cam you won't be able to decrypt the video.

So in other words if you cancelled your DSTV subscription you'd lose access to everything you've recorded too?
 
Hi,

I noticed on a friends PVR a USB port.

Is it possible to download recordings from the PVR to a PC and burn it to DVD?

It is a time consuming schlepp to play the recorded stuff into a DVD recorder.


DSTV will *NEVER* in a reign of cats allow users to download content to their PCs, using USB or anything else. They cant control what you do once its on your PC ... and RIAA/SterKinekor/MPAA/NuMetro etc are paranoid about the internet and torrents.
 
Quick question... I don't have a PVR decoder, so not sure of the connections, but what if you just take the video and audio out from the PVR and connect that to a video capture card in the PC?
 
Other than the hassles involved, what is the diffs between that and a DVD-Recorder?

A DVD recoder does an analog to digital conversion. So quality is lost from the original data. If you get the video content directly from the PVR, then there is absolutely no loss in quality. THIS is what DSTV is scared of ... Broadcast quality Video on your PC.
 
A DVD recoder does an analog to digital conversion. So quality is lost from the original data. If you get the video content directly from the PVR, then there is absolutely no loss in quality. THIS is what DSTV is scared of ... Broadcast quality Video on your PC.
Quality video and DSTV in the same reply :confused:
 
Quick question... I don't have a PVR decoder, so not sure of the connections, but what if you just take the video and audio out from the PVR and connect that to a video capture card in the PC?

That will work, yes. That's why they will probably move to HDMI interfaces this year.
 
Is it possible to download recordings from the PVR to a PC and burn it to DVD?
Due to licensing agreements DSTV is unlikely to ever offer this feature.

It is a time consuming schlepp to play the recorded stuff into a DVD recorder.
Get a TiVo or build a HTPC, they offer significantly more features. You can stream your recordings to a PC, back them up to DVD or load them onto a PSP/iPod/Zune/etc. The TiVo and HTPC's also allow you to upload videos from your PC :D

PVR can be set to record programs in advance.
Well yes the PVR is better at recording shows then a DVD recorder but the PVR's recording abilities are nowhere near as good as those offered by the TiVo or a HTPC ;)

Quality video and DSTV in the same reply :confused:
If you would like to achieve the best quality TV picture, then take a look at the "HDTV Tv Cards" thread which explains how to get DSTV upscaled and output via a HDMI/DVI cable.

That's why they will probably move to HDMI interfaces this year.
DSTV have stated that they won't be launching a HDMI decoder till at least the latter part of 2008 and given their current problems this will most likely be pushed back further. They will however be launching a new version of the PVR decoder, it will be a slimline model and is aimed primarily at addressing the heat issues with the current PVR. The decoder is scheduled for launch sometime in 2007 but don't expect it to be anytime too soon, also note that it's hardware is the same as the current PVR so it won't feature any picture quality improvements (i.e. no component, DVI or HDMI outputs).
 
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Quality video and DSTV in the same reply :confused:

LMAO!! DSTV *think* they broadcast quality. Was refering to Quality images, not quality content - but for DSTV, the picture quality is also crap (Unless you are on a Supersport channel, then the image quality is DOUBLE that of the SABC channels) vivid even broadcast a better quality images.
 
If you would like to achieve the best quality TV picture, then take a look at the "HDTV Tv Cards" thread which explains how to get DSTV upscaled and output via a HDMI/DVI cable.
You don't turn piss into rain by running it through a filter.
 
You don't turn piss into rain by running it through a filter.
Correct but there are at least ways of improving things. DScaler's deinterlacing & video filters allows you to improve video feeds using a PC in a similar way to how upscaling DVD players improve the quality of a DVD for output in HDTV format.

Another way of improving things is by keeping the output in digital format by using a DVB-S card, by going this route you suffer none of the quality loss that the DSTV decoders introduce by limiting us to analogue outputs.
 
DSTV have stated that they won't be launching a HDMI decoder till at least the latter part of 2008 and given their current problems this will most likely be pushed back further.

What are the current problems?
 
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