[Nickleback]

We all know that the Hard Drive contents are encrypted and that the contents cannot be copied.

However, I juts noted that my Panasonic Z85 has a full set of composite video and audio TV outputs.

I'm thinking that I could connect these to my LG DVD recorders front inputs and thus save these to a DVD? Recording would have to be done in real time of course, but it may be a way to save some important shows in case of a PVR switch or failure.

I'll let you know the outcome when I can find some extra cables. Might be worthwhile checking the connections on your own TV

 

[57]

You can go through the TV if it allows, or simply connect directly to the recorder from the STB, as discussed in the following FAQ: Trying to go "through" the TV often causes issues in that you'd need to have the TV on, or change the audio settings for "external", etc.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76077

Be aware that some programming may be copy protected, as discussed in the following thread, depending on the DVD recorder. See post 1 and the links there.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=44045

 

[Moiza67]

Has anyone tried removing the drive from the PVR connecting it to a computer and using a disk imaging program (such as Acronis) to create a disk image to be replicated exactly on another disk of greater size? Then insert the new disk into the PVR

 

[jfroot]

Or just download whatever you want from a bittorrent peers using trackers such as tvtorrents or revolutiontt. Full HD, 1/10 of the hassle.

 

[Nickleback]

The purpose of this thread was to show people how to save material already recorded to the PVR and to assist people on how to do that in case of a PVR switch out....as many are doing with the roll-out of Optik.

I know how to record directly to my VHS or DVD recorder. Not interested in that aspect.

I am interested in saving 8 pre-recorded 2010 F1 races to DVD, the season finale of Lost and a few other imporatnt shows that I have saved to my Telus PVR.

I have the 160GB C430 model right now, but will be switching up to the 320gb model....and I don't want to lose these shows.

 

[schizz]

Sorry a little off topic...just wondering if anyone knows how to figure out if you have the 160gb model or the 320gb....also...is there a way to tell how full the hard drive is? thanks

 

[Dr.Dave]

@Nickleback, the DVD you record using the composite outputs of your TV won't be any better than the DVD you record using the composite outputs of your STB.

@schizz, to check available space, press Menu, Settings, General, System Information, System Resources.

 

[schizz]

Dr Dave...
Does it say somewhere how big the hard drive is? Just want to make sure I have the 320 and not the 160...thanks.

 

[Dr.Dave]

@schizz, not directly. You could go by the physical model number. If you don't trust that, you could calculate how many hours of HD and SD you recorded compared to the max hours.

 

[schizz]

Dr Dave...
I have the cisco cis430....I know that it came with the old remote and had minerva on it when the installer put it in...before updating it. I just want to make sure that I get the most gb I can. Is there a different model for the 160 gb? thanks

 

[57]

The purpose of this thread was to show people how to save material already recorded to the PVR and to assist people on how to do that in case of a PVR switch out....as many are doing with the roll-out of Optik.

I know how to record directly to my VHS or DVD recorder. Not interested in that aspect.

My post 2 is for programmes already recorded, or direct recording. Whatever you desire. Use composite or S-video and analogue audio from the STB/PVR to the recording device, either directly connected, or via a TV if allowed, along with the associated difficulties of having to switch audio, etc.

As mentioned earlier, there will be no difference in quality since the same connection is used, although with S-video (if available), the quality will actually be higher via the direct connection method, rather than going through the TV (needlessly)

The best quality you can hope for is 480i and going through the TV doesn't change that and may actually lower the quality if there is additional processing done in the TV. Composite video is also limited to about 400 lines of resolution while S-video is higher.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76085

I'm assuming that the PVR/STB in question has an S-video output and the recording device has S-video input. If not, used composite.

 

[Dr.Dave]

@schizz, your situation sounds weird. The Scientific Atlanta models were 160 GB.

To check your capacity, you can record about 11 hours of true HD (not SD on an HD channel). The 320 GB drive should hold about 115 hours of HD. Eleven hours of HD should use about 10% of a 320 GB drive or 20% of a 160 GB drive.

Another idea is if you can see the model number of the drive through the case you can Google that to see the capacity.

 

[vandb]

Dr Dave...
I have the cisco cis430....I know that it came with the old remote and had minerva on it when the installer put it in...before updating it. I just want to make sure that I get the most gb I can. Is there a different model for the 160 gb? thanks

Another option, if you know how to use something like wireshark, the PVR broadcasts some plain text UDP packets across the wired LAN network (not wireless) which include info on the hard disk size and free space remaining.

Look for something like this in the packet:
<recordver ver='3' size='297426485248' free='98234347648' />

(297426485248 is the "320GB" model)

 

[schizz]

Well i think i have the 320gb model then....i hope at least....i have 3 hours hd recorded and 2 hours sd and it says I have 96% left. I will record some more hd and then check again but thanks for the info guys....i think it is weird that the box shows lots of information but doesn't show the size of the hard drive anywhere. That said I am loving optik and have no complaints at all. Just wanted too make sure I didn't get an old box. thanks guys.

 

[vandb]

Another more simple way to check is to flip the PVR upside down and look through the vent holes. "320GB" is written in big bold letter on the harddrive in mine.

 

[FrostyButters]

The silver boxes have 160GB and the black boxes have 320GB. I hope that helps

 

[schizz]

that makes it quite simple...black is good... thanks

 

[CentaurChester]

Does anybody know if you can access the 430 threw the network with your PC?

I too would like to keep some stuff off my new PVR, and or somehow transfer it to my pc to view later or able watch later offline as video for either on my 360 or ps3..

When I First got Optik hooked up. I thought I once saw it show up in the network under my pc on Vista.. It ask for login and password. but I didn't know it.. My 430 has 320 gig HD as you see its WD hard drive..
But now can't see it in my network .. It only saw it once/twice. But it has never seen again.. It don't show up under network.

Oh I'm no longer using D-link router they provide as causing problems in my network. End up just putting in my Linksys router and wired everything directly.. (2 Pc/ PVR/ HD box / 360)

 

[Wiremonkey]

Dr Dave...
Does it say somewhere how big the hard drive is? Just want to make sure I have the 320 and not the 160...thanks.

Silver box is 160, black one 320.

- another TELUS tech

 

[Wiremonkey]

Does anybody know if you can access the 430 threw the network with your PC?

I too would like to keep some stuff off my new PVR, and or somehow transfer it to my pc to view later or able watch later offline as video for either on my 360 or ps3..

When I First got Optik hooked up. I thought I once saw it show up in the network under my pc on Vista.. It ask for login and password. but I didn't know it.. My 430 has 320 gig HD as you see its WD hard drive..
But now can't see it in my network .. It only saw it once/twice. But it has never seen again.. It don't show up under network.

Oh I'm no longer using D-link router they provide as causing problems in my network. End up just putting in my Linksys router and wired everything directly.. (2 Pc/ PVR/ HD box / 360)

TELUS requires the use of their spec`d router for Optik. Don`t call TELUS if you have problems with your Optik and you`ve changed the router. You may incurr a bill, and it can be detected. Making changes to the install is not recommended or permitted. It is easy enough to have your router added to the network, before the D-link , then you can use it for your gear. Optik was intended to be operated as spec`d by TELUS.

There is no way to remove the HD from the PVR without being detected or voiding the warrenty. If your renting the PVR don`t do this. There is no way to copy the files anyway, they are encrypted to work ONLY on that machine and ONLY when connected to the TELUS network on YOUR account. It wont even work if you take it to a buddys house who has Optik and plug it in there, because thats not your account.

You MAY be able to copy the contents by running the output (component) from the back into a DVD recorder. Never tried but it may work. HDMI cables are utilised in copyprotection schemes so thats why I`d try the component, its still 720P or 1080I but analogue so no copyprotection issues related to cables.

-another TELUS tech