getting recordings off a sky + box
mookaloid - 22/12/08 at 02:41 PM
I want to get recordings off my sky+ box so I can record them onto DVD or play them back but not through the sky box.
Without actually putting my PC next to the TV is there a device on the market that can do this - something with a hard drive in it that I can drive
remotely from my lappy perhaps?
Cheers
Mark
stevebubs - 22/12/08 at 02:51 PM
slingbox?
Or go out and buy a Freeview PVR with DVD Recorder...
wilkingj - 22/12/08 at 02:55 PM
I think you will find that Sky boxes have macrovision added to the output of the composite video stream.
This means if you try to record from the Sky box, it will not play back, when you ty to replay the tape or DVD.
Basically it screws about with the Sync and Blanking pulses in the signal, making it difficult to recover the video.
Its also added to DVD's to prevent them being recorded to tape.
You can buy devices to recover the signals.
but like most things you could be subject to copyright issues.
Having said all that, it will vary from channel to channel, depending on who it transmitting the content, and whether that channel employs any
additions protection systems.
Sky is digitally encrypted, and then the channel providers may add their own protection on top of that.
Its not a straightforward question to answer as there are so many channels and providers on Sky.
wilkingj - 22/12/08 at 02:57 PM
quote:
Originally posted by stevebubs
slingbox?
Or go out and buy a Freeview PVR with DVD Recorder...
Hmm... most Freeview boxes with a hard drive do not have a composite video input, thus you can only recoprd from their internal tuner.
stevebubs - 22/12/08 at 03:02 PM
quote:
Originally posted by wilkingj
quote:
Originally posted by stevebubs
slingbox?
Or go out and buy a Freeview PVR with DVD Recorder...
Hmm... most Freeview boxes with a hard drive do not have a composite video input, thus you can only recoprd from their internal tuner.
This one certainly works...it's what my dad uses....
http://www.richersounds.com/showproduct.php?cda=showproduct&a
mp;pid=SONY-RDRHXD890B
Sets a few programs to "copy" on the sky plus box, sets the recorder to record for x hours then buggers off to bed.
Following night, he edits it into individual programs and removes the adverts if necessary.
Never come across macrovision problems on my Sky+ box when using the VCR output...
Donners90 - 22/12/08 at 03:04 PM
Why not record straight to a DVD recorder from the sky+ box?.
Scart cable between Sky box and DVD recorder. Select correct input on DVD recorder.
Then using the 'COPY' function, from your planner, highlight the pre-recorded program, then select 'copy' (red button i think).
The word COPY should be displayed next to the selected program. Then press the select button on the remote and follow the on-screen instructions.
HOWEVER you need to be very precise when you press Select. One short sharp press. If you dwell at all it thinks you have pressed twice and won't
playback the program.
The copy function plays the program back realtime, so best do it over night or when you're out - just swtich off the TV.
stevebubs - 22/12/08 at 03:04 PM
If you're feeling like a homebrew solution, take a look at MythTV
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MythTV
jabbahutt - 22/12/08 at 03:18 PM
I did what donners90 suggest. I wanted to put the entire kit car crisis series onto VHS. Simply highlighted the programs on the program guide and
selected copy.
They played off in real time but the recording was fine. shouldn't see any reason why it wouldn't work with DVD.
Nigel
Jubal - 22/12/08 at 03:31 PM
quote:
Originally posted by jabbahutt
I did what donners90 suggest. I wanted to put the entire kit car crisis series onto VHS. Simply highlighted the programs on the program guide and
selected copy.
They played off in real time but the recording was fine. shouldn't see any reason why it wouldn't work with DVD.
Nigel
If I wanted to do what the OP wanted then I'd buy a cheap dedicated DVD recorder instead of messing about with the PC. Once it's on DVD you
can do what you like with it. For a one off I might be tempted to record to a DV cam or similar (archos or other portable media recording device) and
transfer the program across to the PC that way.
Danozeman - 22/12/08 at 04:33 PM
I was wondering the same thing as iv just had sky+puy in so this is quite interesting.
My sky+ box has a usb terminal on the back could you do something with this?
Hellfire - 22/12/08 at 04:44 PM
I think the USB socket is disabled...
Steve
triafgg - 22/12/08 at 05:07 PM
The only issue with copying from Skybox to DVR is that it does a digital-analog-digital conversion in the process so there is a loss in quality. It
won't allow a direct transfer of MPEG2.
Rek - 22/12/08 at 06:13 PM
I have an older Archos 504 with a docking cradle between the sky box and the tv. it means I can record from the sky box on to it and watch things when
Im on a plane/train. If I want to put stuff on a disk I burn it straight to DVD with Nero. The Archos just appears as a hard disk when plugged into
the PC...
[Edited on 22/12/08 by Rek]
RichardK - 22/12/08 at 09:02 PM
Slingboxes have a good reputation LINKY but at a cost where as the copy overnight thing is free
onto a dvd recorder or hauppauge do some good pc cards that don't use the pc's cpu anymore so no loss of performance
LINKY
Cheers
Rich
mookaloid - 22/12/08 at 10:26 PM
Thanks Guys 
stevebubs - 23/12/08 at 02:36 AM
quote:
Originally posted by triafgg
The only issue with copying from Skybox to DVR is that it does a digital-analog-digital conversion in the process so there is a loss in quality. It
won't allow a direct transfer of MPEG2.
Depends on what channel and how brave you are...
http://www.skycopyplus.co.uk/extract.php
Used Copy+ to successfully install a 250GB drive in my Sky+ Box. Not tried +Extract, though
stevebubs - 23/12/08 at 02:40 AM
quote:
Originally posted by RichardK
Slingboxes have a good reputation LINKY but at a cost where as the copy overnight thing is free
onto a dvd recorder or hauppauge do some good pc cards that don't use the pc's cpu anymore so no loss of performance
LINKY
Cheers
Rich
My biggest problem with using the DVD method was finding suitable (free) software to do the editting without going uber slow / crashing.
Much prefer the method of moving to a box designed with editting in mind (e.g. the one linked to above) as it makes the job painless, and once done,
you can burn multiple programmes to a single DVD and they'll appear as individual chapters....
stevebubs - 23/12/08 at 02:41 AM
PS this method is so easy, my dad can use it (and he's not really into the whole PC multimedia thing)
stevebubs - 23/12/08 at 02:45 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Rek
I have an older Archos 504 with a docking cradle between the sky box and the tv. it means I can record from the sky box on to it and watch things when
Im on a plane/train. If I want to put stuff on a disk I burn it straight to DVD with Nero. The Archos just appears as a hard disk when plugged into
the PC...
[Edited on 22/12/08 by Rek]
That looks like a handy gadget - hadn't realised they have that capability....hmmm....might need to do some further research on this....