Thread: How-To rip your DVR to Disc Guide.

First and foremost, this info was collected from many hours of searching no fewer than 7 different AV forums, and only compiled by me. I did not figure any of this out, the workaround and all info is creditable to the original poster, if I could remember which forum etc I'd link it here. But I used the dvrplayground guide, which also passes credit to someone else.

Ok, do you know what firmware version you have? You can check by pressing cable & power off, then quickly pressing select/ok, it will bring up the diag menu. scroll using the left/right showing Diagnostics, scroll using arrow down to d08 Code Modules, select, then platform built: version: 16.53 or 16.57?
Also you can check the channel you want to record for 5C encryption. If its encrypted, then this guide won't help you at all, since my research says its not only illegal to reproduce 5C but the only programs available or pay-for products.

The following guide and workaround is for firmware version 16.53. DVR to PC

In case link doesn't work, heres the address:
http://www.dvrplayground.com/forum/thread/15323/Send-Motorola-DVR-shows-to-a-PC-via-Firewire/

I printed the instructions out, then downloaded everything from the links provided, drivers, CAPDVHS and HDTV2DVD (all are included in the link : motoralo6412_firewire.zip highlighted in blue in Step 1) and MPEG2Repair (use the download direct link).
Follow instructions for Setting Up Drivers..... and then the next set of DCT64xxFirewire mpeg2 Capture....

Now, the work around, you have the drivers installed and things seem to be ready to go. Plug your firewire into the right port as seen from the back panel, find the progam on your DVR, press PLAY on DVR, Press PAUSE on DVR, open CAPDVHS, press Rec on CAPDVS, then press Play on DVR. You should have a frozen picture on your TV, but the counter on CAPDVHS should be racking up the numbers. If so, should be recording both audio and video. You can do a test for a couple minutes, then convert what you have. Some issues require unplugging the DVR then plugging back and starting over on the capture. If your "handshake" to recognize the DTC AV/Control when plugging, then you might need to try reloading the driver. I had no issues with either. But I did need to uninstall and then download and reinstall the HDTV2DVD as it was corrupt.

BEFORE you try and load into HDTV2DVD, use the MPEG2Repair. You load the .ts file into the mpeg2repair program and it will align the audio with the video.

If you want to automatically get rid of commercials use HDTVtoMPEG2, it has a commecial scan (use to delete commercials), seems to work pretty good on my test race I recorded. However, make sure the output is .ts not .mpg or you wont be able to load it into HDTV2DVD.

Once that is done, you load that file into the HDTV2DVD and let it convert, it will provide you with a playable .mpg file with audio and create a second folder with the .VOB files for burn to DVD which you can author and create chapters etc.
When you unzip and install the HDTV2DVD, it will require .NET Framework 1.1, which you download, then uninstall the HDTV2DVD and then reinstall it or it will not recognize the process. When you do move the .ts file to the Asset Pane of HDTV2DVD progam, you will drag n drop it in the bottom portion where it says file, it may take a few minutes to show up down there, once it does, you can then drag it up to the "Layout" pane just above the asset pane and to the left.

Hope this helps.

In some instances, if you still do not have audio you will need to trim the first 3-5 frames from the beginning and at the end of the video. This is apparently not necessary with the 16.57 firmware version. I have not had to do any trimming myself, I have v. 16.53 firmware and using Vista.

Charlie

Timeline:

Upload stream from DVR to PC is 1:1, so race are one hour.
HDTVtoMPEG to remove commercials is about 10min per hour of recording.
MPEG2Repair to join audio with video is about 30min per hour of recording.

good post....glad you finally got it!