While a digital video recorder is primarily used to play back shows and movies to your television, you can also connect a DVR to your PC with the right connector cables. Whether you want to play your favorite shows and movies on your computer or transfer files from the DVR's internal hard drive, you will need a video capture card with the correct ports and cables required to establish a connection.
Step 1
Purchase a video capture card that is capable of reading external DVR video devices. Make sure your video capture card has a Firewire, USB, RCA, S-Video and VGA ports.
Step 2
Install your video card into the video card slot on your motherboard. To access the motherboard, unscrew the two or four screws on the side of your computer and remove the computer cover. Line up the teeth before inserting the card. Your computer should recognize the video card and adjust the video settings accordingly.
Step 3
Choose a connection port that your DVR and video card share so you can choose a compatible connection cable. For example, if your DVR and video card both have a Firewire port, connect using a Firewire cable. Other options include an RCA composite cable, S-Video cable and USB cable.
Step 4
Attach one end of the connector cable into the correct port on the DVR output and the other end of the connector cable into the correct port on the computer's video capture card.
Step 5
Connect the VGA cable from the video capture card to your computer monitor so you can view DVR content from your computer.
Tips & Warnings
- S-Video, USB and RCA composite cable connections produce similar picture and audio quality. If your DVR and computer are compatible with all the connections, choose the Firewire cable for high-quality images and faster data transfer speeds.
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privacy & security protectedReferences
- Cox: TV Support - Connecting Audio and Video to an A/V receiver, VCR and Standard TV
- Cables To Go: VGA
