A digital video recorder (DVR) can output the recordings it has made through connections built into its back panel. To transfer the DVR's recordings to a computer that is running Windows XP, use an analog-to-digital converter box. You can acquire this converter box from an electronics store, and it does not physically alter either the DVR or the computer. The file that is placed on the computer's hard drive can then be viewed or modified for use with mobile devices such as cell phones and MP3 media players.
Step 1
Insert the red and white RCA plugs at one end of an audio cable into the red and white RCA connections on the back panel of the DVR. Insert the red and white RCA plugs at the other end of the audio cable into the red and white RCA inputs on the analog-to-digital converter box.
Step 2
Insert one end of a video cable into the video connection on the back panel of the DVR. Insert the other end of the video cable into the video input on the analog-to-digital converter box.
Step 3
Plug the USB connection on the analog-to-digital converter box into an open USB port on the computer. If the analog-to-digital converter box has an attached USB cable, plug the cable into the USB port instead. Click the "X" at the upper right corner when the "Found new hardware" pop-up window appears.
Step 4
Insert the installation disc that comes with the analog-to-digital converter box into the computer's disc drive. Follow the installation commands when the installer automatically appears on the screen. Quit the installer when it tells you it is finished. Restart the computer.
Step 5
Click "Start." Launch the analog-to-digital converter box's program by selecting it from the "All Applications" menu.
Step 6
Select the "Video" input button from the video installation options window that appears on the screen. Click "Next." Select the "Stereo" input button from the Audio installation options window. Click "Next" to go to the recording screen.
Step 7
Turn the DVR on, using the remote. Press the "Menu" or "DVR" button, depending on its make. Select the recorded video that is to be transferred to the computer. Press the "Play" button on the remote.
Step 8
Press the "Record" button on the analog-to-digital converter box's program. Press "Stop" when the video has completed playing. Click "Next" to go to a pop-up window.
Step 9
Enter a name for the video in the "Name" column at the top of the window. Click the "Save" button at the bottom of the window. Quit the analog-to-digital converter box's program when the video has been saved. Disconnect the cables from the DVR, analog-to-digital converter box and computer.
References
- Roxio: Easy VHS To DVD -- Features
Resources
- SearchCIO-Midmarket: Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC)