How to Transfer Movies From a Computer to a DVR

by Maya Austen, Demand Media

Some DVR services allow you to transfer videos from your computer to the DVR.

David Sacks/Lifesize/Getty Images

If you want to watch movies on your TV that you have saved on your computer, you can send movies from a computer to a DVR if your DVR supports transferring. Unfortunately, most DVR brands do not support a computer to DVR transfer. However, if you are using a TiVO, FiOS, or iO DVR you are in luck. The DVR must be connected to your computer via your home network to take advantage of the computer to DVR transfer feature.

TiVo

Step 1

Log in to your computer with an account that has administrator rights. Navigate to the TiVo website and download the TiVo Desktop installer. Save the installer to a directory on your computer, and open the TiVo Desktop installer. Follow the prompts to install the TiVo Desktop application.

Step 2

Navigate to the directory where the video you want to transfer to your TiVo DVR is saved. Right-click the video file and click "Copy." Open My Documents followed by the "My TiVo Recordings" folder. Click "Edit" and click "Paste" to insert a copy of the file into the "My TiVo Recordings" folder.

Step 3

Launch the TiVo Desktop application. The videos stored in the computer's "My TiVo Recordings" folder will appear in the TiVo Desktop's "Now Playing List." Leave the TiVo Desktop application running.

Step 4

Turn on the TV and TiVO. Press the "TiVo" button on the TiVo remote control to open the TiVo Central menu. Click "Now Playing" or "My Shows" from the menu. Select your computer from the menu.

Step 5

Select the video from your computer that you want to transfer. Select "Transfer this recording."

FiOS

Step 1

Log in to your computer using an account with administrator rights. Go to the Verizon website and download the Media Manager installer. Follow the prompts to install the Media Manager application onto your computer.

Step 2

Launch the Media Manager application. Click the "Video" button in the menu. Scroll through the video library. Select the video you want to transfer to the DVR.

Step 3

Right-click the video listing in the left-side menu panel. Click "Share on TV" from the shortcut menu.

Step 4

Turn on the TV and FiOS DVR. Press "Menu" on the FiOS remote control. Select "Media Manager from the menu.

Step 5

Select your computer from the device list. If your computer is not listed select "Refresh Devices." Select "Video Manager," and choose a video from the play list. The video is streamed from the computer to your DVR.

iO TV

Step 1

Log in to your computer using an account with administrator rights. Go to the Optimum Link Web page on the Optimum website. Click "Get Started."

Step 2

Enter you Optimum ID and password. Follow the instructions to download and install the Optimum Link software.

Step 3

Right-click on the Optimum Link icon desktop. Select "Send to TV." Follow the instructions that appear.

Step 4

Tune the iO cable box to channel 641. Whatever appears on your PC will also appear on this channel.

Tips & Warnings

  • If your computer is not yet hooked up to your home network you can use an Ethernet cable to connect the Ethernet port from the back of your DVR to an unused Ethernet port on your router.
  • In addition to connecting your iO cable box to your home network, you must also subscribe to the Optimum Link, Optimum Boost Plus, or Optimum Ultra service in order to use Optimum Link to transfer content from your PC to TV.

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References

  • Verizon: How Do I Install Media Manager and Access My Files from FiOS TV
  • TiVO: Installing TiVO Desktop
  • TiVO: How to Download Videos From Your PC or Mac
  • Verizon: Verizon Media Manager
  • Optimum: About Optimum Link
  • Optimum: Optimum Link Quick Reference

Resources

  • Verizon: Download Media Manager
  • TiVo: Download TiVo Desktop
  • Optimum: Optimum Link

About the Author

Maya Austen began freelance writing in 2009. She has written for many online publications on a wide variety of topics ranging from physical fitness to amateur astronomy. She's also an author and e-book publisher. Austen has a Bachelor of Arts in communications from the New England Institute of Art and currently lives in Boston, Mass.

Photo Credits

  • David Sacks/Lifesize/Getty Images