How to Download Media From Dish Network DVR

by Maya Austen, Demand Media

Video recordings made using DVRs are saved to a hard disk located inside the DVR unit. Hard disks have a limited storage capacity. If you are using a Dish Network DVR model 612, 622, 722, 722k or 922, you can increase the DVR's storage capacity by connecting an external hard drive to the device. This connection gives you the ability to download media from the DVR to the hard drive for archiving. The external hard drive you use must have a minimum storage capacity of 50GB, a dedicated power supply and a single-platter drive with no Flash memory.

Connect External Hard Drive to DVR

Step 1

Connect the external hard drive to an electrical power source.

Step 2

Turn on the TV and Dish DVR.

Step 3

Plug one end the USB cable into the USB port on the back of the Dish DVR. Plug the other end of this cable into the USB port on the external hard drive. The DVR will recognize the new device and will display a message on the TV screen stating, "The attached USB storage needs to be reformatted to support Dish Network functionality."

Step 4

Select "Yes" at the message prompt to format the external hard drive.

Download Recordings from DVR to External Hard Drive

Step 1

Press "Menu" on the Dish remote control.

Step 2

Use the remote's arrow buttons to highlight "Multimedia." Press "Select / OK." Select "My Media" from the next menu. Select "Send to Device." A list of the recordings that are currently saved to the DVR hard disk are displayed.

Step 3

Highlight the video you want to download to the external hard drive. Press "Select." Repeat for another video you would like to download to the hard drive. A purple box appears to the left of each selected video.

Step 4

Select "To Archive" to transfer the selected video to the external hard drive.

Tips & Warnings

  • To transfer video from the external hard drive back to a Dish Network DVR, press "Menu" on the Dish remote. Select "Multimedia." Select "My Media." Select "Manage Device." Select the video you want to transfer to the DVR. Select "Restore."

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References

  • Dish Network: Use External Hard Drive
  • Dish Network: Set Up External Hard Drive

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.