The way the External Drive is marketed is for "archiving" shows and movies, it is not made for storage and then transfer to a PC etc.

I am sure that will come eventually but for now it does not appear possible and it certainly is not going to be supported or encouraged by Bell TV.

I believe the file format of the EHD is a Linux Format.

It is indeed a Linux format on the EHD. When the receiver "formats" the drive it creates 2 EXT3 partitions. The first is a 1GB partition and it contains only a lost+found directory. The second partition is the rest of whatever size disk you are using. It has 2 directories. lost+found and DishArc, the latter with sub directories containing your archived programs. I copied that folder to my WinXP box but haven't figured out what filenames are required by pvrexplorer.

Grelber

As I said before in this (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=783316&postcount=132)post, has anyone tried using PVRExplorerPro to read an EHD with ExpressVu content on it.

After doing extensive research including other forums and groups, I have determined that the data on the EHD is encrypted. If you need to access the unencrypted files you would need to restore them to your 9242 internal hard drive and hot-swap the SATA interface to a PC. :(

I also tried to extract them with PVRExplorerPro and the message "the file you are using is encrypted" appeared after a short while. :(

Grelber

drag so the EHD feature is practically worthless

For now, maybe.

I am pretty sure that somewhere in a dark quiet room, men in white coats are working of this issue and a Eureka moment wil be coming in the future.....

Well - with all these proprietary formats and encrypted data, looks like my HTPC will start seeing a lot more "old" action as the 9242 will probably be retired very soon and sent back to Bell for a 6141. Then I can decide what to do with MY shows.

Does anyone know the file system on the PVR's internal drives? Specifically, does anyone know the file system of a 5100?


Since earlier this year (I think E661 did it), I haven't been able to rip shows with pvrexplorer.

But if it's ext2 or ext3 (I use Linux), I could copy the data from the drive, right?


I'll try it anyway if no one knows, but if someone knows for sure that NO, it isn't ext2 or 3, then I'll save myself the hassle of pulling the 5100's drive for the 10th time to try.

I don't know about the 5100, but the 9200 drives are formatted as ext3.

I cannot find a faq/sticky/search for this info

How can you copy the MPEG files this PVR records to a Windows PC? Is it possible for the internal and/or external HD?

Just look for references to the EHD (External Hard Drive) function for the 9242.

Copying and viewing on anything other than the 9242 that they were recorded on is NOT possible, yet.

I think you will also find they are NOT standard MPEG files but have a .ex3 extention.

I cannot find a faq/sticky/search for this info

Your post has been moved to the sticky thread at the top of the PVR forum :)

hey guys, this might be a really dumb question, but i have a bell 9242 hd pvr, but unfortunately i'm only renting it, i don't own it, and thus can't open it up.

is there any way to get recorded footage from my PVR to my laptop without opening it up?

thanks for any help.

From what I gather, no, there isn't any way to do so.

You need to connect the hard drive directly to a PC. To do that, you need to open it up.

I don't recommend it, but there are no warranty seals that you have to break to open the receiver. To connect the drive to a computer, you don't have to touch the hard drive. You just connect the SATA cable to a computer.

It sure works nicely, but of course there is a risk of damage when you are doing things like this. If you are uneasy about opening it up, just don't.




Anyhow I have my own question about my old 5100. Will there ever be a way to make pvrexplorerpro work again? It hasn't worked for at least the last 2 firmwares. For all I know, bell did that intentionally.

You don't have to open it up. You could transfer you data to en external USB 2.0 Drive and then hook that drive up to your PC running Linux natively or booted from an ubuntu (linux) live CD. Keep in mind that the data is encrypted with a key that ties it to your 9242 so you can't do much with it once you transfer it to your PC.

Can that be done with the 9200 as well?

If you open the receiver and connect the SATA directly to the computer, pvrexplorerpro rips it fine, no encryption. I have a 9200 though. Does the 9242 have encryption and the 9200 doesn't?

Is there anyway to transfer the files recorded on an external hard drive from the pvr to a computer?

The files on the external hard drive are encrypted, but they can be copied using a linux system. They are ext3 format. You won't be able to view them, though.

Was there ever a definitive answer as to why PVRexplorerpro no longer works with the 5100?

My question is; is there any hope that I will be able to get recordings off the drive?


Well right after making this post, I found the answer.

There is a new version of PVRexplorerpro at the yahoo site. The file name is PvrExplorerPro203.exe. It still says it's version 2.0.3.0, but;
it seems to be reading ALL the recordings just fine!


I was too quick. Though it sees all the recordings now, the audio is garbled or not even there. Audio is all I usually want from these files!

To those interested, I have the 6141 with an EHD. After I record a movie I can play it back while recording it to my DVD recorder........it's good for those who like to keep certain movies and not use up the hard drive space.

Simmer

Re: 9200 Mod in the back

I was wondering what you used to cut a hole in the back of your receiver for the Sata plug?

Thanks
Donald

A drill, a dremel tool with a carbide cutting disc, a fine square file and patience.