How to Copy Files From Dish to DVR

by Alice Godfrey, Demand Media

A Dish Network satellite receiver with an internal hard drive can record television programs for viewing at a later time. Files recorded on the Dish's hard drive can be copied to a stand-alone digital video recorder (DVR). Audio/video cables that most homes already have on hand are all that is needed.

Step 1

Turn off both the Dish Network satellite receiver and the digital video recorder (DVR), if either is on, using their remotes.

Step 2

Angle the right edge of the Dish Network satellite receiver towards you so that you can see the back panel. Insert an end of the composite video cable into the yellow-ringed video output on the back of the receiver. Insert the other end of the composite video cable into the yellow-ringed video input on the back, side or front panel of the DVR (depending on the make).

Step 3

Plug the red and white RCA plugs at one end of an audio cable into the red-ringed and white-ringed audio outputs on the receiver. Plug the red and white RCA plugs at the other end of the audio cable into the red-ringed and white-ringed audio inputs on the DVR

Step 4

Press the power button on the DVR's remote to turn it on. Press the "Menu" button on the remote. Select the "Record" screen, using the remote. Choose the 'Video" input from the choices presented for how the video will be inputted to the DVR. Select a speed for the recording, if one is present, from the choices presented on the screen. Press "Menu" to exit the settings.

Step 5

Press "Sel" on the Dish Network receiver's remote to turn it on. Press the "DVR" button on the remote to access the menu of recorded videos. Select a video, using the direction keys on the remote. Press the "Sel" button to bring up a pop-up window. Select "Play from beginning" from the pop-up window, using the remote. Press "Sel" to start the video playing.

Step 6

Press the "Record" button on the DVR's remote. Press the "Stop" button on the remote, once the video has completed playing. Turn both the DVR and the Dish Network satellite receiver off. Remove the composite video cable and the audio cable from the two. Return the receiver to its original position.

Tips & Warnings

  • A S-Video cable can be used instead of the video cable, provided that both the Dish Network satellite receiver and the DVR have such a connection.
  • The resolution (i.e., quality) of the copy made on the DVR will not be as good as the original, since there is no high-resolution output on the Dish Network receiver.

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References

  • DBS Install: Dish 625 DVR Manual

Resources

  • Dish Network: Dish Network

About the Author

Alice Godfrey is a marketing analyst with more than 15 years of experience in her field. She holds a Ph.D. in social and personality psychology. Past positions include market research analyst at various advertising agencies and corporations. Her articles on a wide variety of issues relating to entertainment have appeared in numerous trade publications.