If u FIgure it out me let me know, id like to be able to do the same

Please post your results.  I'd like to do download to a dvd as well.

Thanks.

I guess not many people read this column :-(

On a side note to this, I hooked up my Windows Vista system to my LAN and it picked up on the DirecTV DVR on my network, asking if I wanted to access those programs from Windows Media Player (!) - I'm surprised, as I didn't think there was a way - clearly there may be, and it might take some protocol/line sniffing to figure out.

Anyone?

I asked one of the service techs, and he said it's a proprietary OS.  That would make more sense... in fact, it may be UNIX, but licensed from <whomever>.   Booting from flash wouldn't be practical - if an update failed, the entire unit would be useless.

currentg58 said: Dear Higgins09, I believe the majority of us support your reasoning and the DRM. The programs that we (customers of Sat TV/Direct TV) have paid for and dowmloaded to our DVR have both the privilege and right of pssession to those "saved" programs. Especially, if the DVR fails to operate as expected. It is NOT piracy when you have paid for it and are not intended to distribute it for capital gain. Therefore, if such software exist to copy, move or back up your "saved" TV or movie programs; then, it should be made available to the users of the Direct TV equipment. One can also argue, that if this software is only made available to the technician, what assurance does Direct TV have that their technicians are taking advantage of those "saved" programs that we (customer) have already paid for. I urge anyone with such software to make the URL or weblink available as soon as possible becuase Direct TV customers should not have to pay for these programs twice or more. Class Action lawsuits and small claims like these have been brought against large companies such as, Comcast, Vonage, and auto franchises and successfully, won their litigations in court. I will continue to watch for any additional postings to determine how wide spread this issue is. So, please spread the word and have those that you know or become aware of to post their same concerns here. Then, after a 3-month period, I will consider and determine the next step or action. Thank you.

Thanks for your input and you are correct this is not for comercial gain it's just to move files from 1 HR-22 to the other.  I do know and have used Directv2PC provided by them to play/stream the files from the dvr to my pc but have not been able to actually move them.  However my excellent installer told me that yes the box operates on a linux platform and that the com ports except lan are disabled.  As I stated previously he assured me (and I believe him) that using the proper linux sw you can move the files.  I just am not sure which version of linux to use.  I am when I do it going to set up a flash drive that boots my xp pc in linux so as to not have the problem of multiple boot partitions on my hard drive.  There is also a feature in the HR-22's that if you have a core2 duo vivo processor you can then stream or access files from your computer on the dvr, but I only have a P4HT 3Ghz so i'm not changing my processor to get that feature.

I can tell you this Directv is a provider not a broadcaster therefore we must abide by the broadcasters contracts and obligations to them as far as transfereing from your dvr to ur computer or usb device etc.. that is copyright infringment if you ever do manage a way to do that the only way to transfer from dvr to something else is to use a tv tuner card and connect DVR to tv tuner card on your computer and record it that way like with VCR's you will have to wait for the program to run in its entirety. As far as Tivo and Directv go there is talk about a remerge of some sort in the future but nothing set in stone as of now so i hope this post helps a little

I have a similar (?same) question and too novice to interpret the previous responses (sorry)

I have a DirecTV HD-DVR, model HR20, and want to record some of my saved HD recordings to removable media, but still in HD (or equivalent) format. Cost is not particularly an issue. Would a separate BluRay or HD DVD recorder to do this?
Or what other solutions are possible?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Naveen,
Thanks for the most useless reply ever. Perhaps you should take your meds before posting.

Here is rest of my previous positing. :)

Just recently, I was behind on my bill with my DirectTV account and they temporarily disconnected me. So, I thought to myself, " at least I have the recorded programs on my DVR to watch until I pay my DirectTV bill." Well, guess what happened? I couldn't play any of my recorded programs on my DVR either, when my service was disconnected. At that moment, I felt someone just took a kitchen knife and back stabbed me. I am shelling out hundreds of dollars for their service and I can't even play my DVR listings even if I don't have their service.

I am furiously searching on the internet for any way to easily do this but keep coming empty handed. However, just recently I had a chance to speak with a DirectTV guy at the Best Buy, when I was there to buy DVD recorder. So, I asked if there is any way to record your programs from DirectTV DVR to DVD. He told me by law you shouldn't be able to do that and you really shouldn't back anything up from their DVR. However, he went on to tell me that there are ways to get around this issue and the DRM chip. He told me that his friend uses one of the USB port to download the DVR list to the computer and burns the files onto DVD. He also told me that you don't loose HD if your program is HD. By the way, after speaking with DirectTV guy, I chose not to buy any DVD recorder instead planning on buying a laptop.

Currentg58 - you got my signature if you are going to file class action suit against DirectTV.

Why don't you just get an External hard drive. Hook it up to your DVR and record to it--It tells you how on the Directv website. Then take the the Ext. HD and hook it up to your PC and burn your programs to the DVD. Some shows may be protected but you can buy software pretty cheap to get around it and it works really good. The software sales for around 30 bucks and External HD depends on the GB size you get. 1TB can be bought for 100 or less--I have seen 500 gbs from Buy com for less than 60 bucks.. What burns me up is: I bought my DVR from a out source for 200. but you still have to pay rent on it as if you got it from directv. Plus Dish net is offering HD service for free always.

subnc, it is easier said than done, my friend. DirecTV has proprietory file format that don't exist anywhere but within their own DVR. Even if you manage to move the recoreded programs from your external hardrive into your computer to be burned, you need to decrypt and convert those files into playable format. If not, you can't play it at all on your DVD player and you will waste your DVDs. How do I know this? I have spoken to a tech from DirecTV and tried it myself. I never could do it. They have gotten very strict with copyright laws
and this is an example of how far they will go. One of my co-worker has a older DVR model and he says he can easily move files back and forth from his DVR into computers and burn any programs and even HD as HD without loosing resolution. So, I am guessing witin last 3 to 5 years, DirecTV made all these modifications to their DVR systems as a result of all big cry babies from HOLLYWOOD. LOL.

Best options I have found for new Direct TV:
Buy a SATA docking station connect to SATA connection on DVR. Power down everything by disconnection from power outlet. Buy 1 TB HD and insert in docking station then power up. Then power up DVR. DVR will format and recognise 1 TB as DVR HD. Once HD is full you can remove and keep. Add new 1 TB. You can store about 150 HD movies on each 1 TB HD. To access programmes on old HD simply do same procedure.
To create file copy on DVD best option is to drop onto separate DVR with DVD recorder (I use Polaroid DRM-2001G) although standard definition it gives very good quality DVDs from HD source.