DVR transfer options
 

Okay, instead of continuing to derail the other thread, I'll post it here:

Anyone know how I can get the programs off of my Time Warner Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8000 DVR and onto my computer? I have an iMac, which will probably make it even more problematic.

I also have a PC laptop, but it is a work computer and thus is not likely to have all of the fancy gadgetry that is involved in video manipulation.

Right now the only option put forth by Time Warner Cable (TWC) is to transfer from the DVR to a VHS tape. This may be a last resort, but I have no digicam, so can not transfer VHS to computer.

Has anyone come across any hacks etc. that might help a non-programmer?

I'd love to know too. I have the same machine. I do have it hooked up to my VCR and have done a few things that way.

It looks like your only option is to take the cable that goes to your TV and route it into your Mac. Then you can record to the Mac as shows play om the DVR. Yuck. Does your Mac have any video in ports?

There's no direct way to do it. Your only real option is to buy a USB video-capture device (for example, http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...-USB20&cat=VCD), hook the DVR output to the USB input, play back whatever you want to record and capture it real time. There's no way to access the compressed video file off the box and transfer it directly to your computer, so far as I can tell.

Interesting. Okay, now I need to find one that's Mac compatible. can that thing also be used for my VHS stuff?

Yup.

Since you are on a Mac, get a Firewire DV one. You could also just use a Digital Video Camera (you plug the camera into the DVR and into your computer at the same time, and it passes through).