Recording HD TV from Sky+ HD to a PC

Avoriaz

Is there a device available that will take the HD output from a Sky+ HD box, via HDMI, and create a .ts, .mp4 or similar HD video file that I can store on my PC?

I don’t mean DVD recorders or devices such as Humax PVRs etc with built in tuners and disk drives.

When I had Standard Definition TV and Sky+ I used an Adaptec VideoOh device to record music programmes from the Sky+ box to my PC in order to make .mpg files to replay on my media player via my Hi-Fi and TV.

I used the S-Video and RCA audio outputs on the rear of the Sky+ box. I got reasonably good results despite the digital to analogue back to digital double conversion.

Now that I have HD TV and a Sky+ HD I am looking for a way of recording HD music programmes, preferably without an intermediate analogue conversion. The Adaptec is Standard Definition 720 x 576 only so I am looking for something that will give me full 1920 x 1080 (i or p)

I am aware of the theoretical copyright issues. I am doing this purely for personal use. For example, I might record Later with Jools Holland or The Brits because a musician that I like is appearing. I want to be able to record that musicians 6 minute segment to keep as a video file and delete the 60 or 120 minute programme from the Sky+ box.

Might there be recording prevention issues with the HD output from a Sky+ HD box?

I do have ExPVR (similar to Copy+) that allows me to extract free to air programmes from the Sky+ box but a lot of the stuff I want is on an encrypted channel and ExPVR can’t extract those.

Thanks

vyle

Theoretical copyright issues, and "personal use" is still copyright infringement unfortunately, even though I think the law is ridiculous.

spannerzone

I think HDMI carries DRM and so any copy protected content can't be copied (easily) to another recording device. (broadcasters don't want you having perfect digital copies)

I think the only way to do this was using the very first generation Thomson HD box that had component output and then buy a component input device for the PC. Those Thomson HD boxes are now old and pretty much unsupported now and so not much help to you.

The other way is extract+ but again, only for free to air channels

Avoriaz

vyle wrote: »

Theoretical copyright issues, and "personal use" is still copyright infringement unfortunately, even though I think the law is ridiculous.

I have hundreds of SD music videos that I have made from broadcast programmes.

I don't share them, sell them or upload them to the internet so I doubt if anyone cares.

As far as I know the law is unclear and open to interpretation. If someone does try to sue me it might make for an interesting court case.

I also have hundreds of TV sourced SD and HD music files that I have downloaded from the internet so others are doing what I am doing although I don't upload mine for sharing.

Many of mine came from the now closed Megaupload.

Spank

I really don't understand your logic, you seem to think it's OK to D/L stuff but it's not to U/P?

The fact the Megaupload has been closed down hasn't given you a clue that's illegal?

Avoriaz

spannerzone wrote: »

I think HDMI carries DRM and so any copy protected content can't be copied (easily) to another recording device. (broadcasters don't want you having perfect digital copies)

I think the only way to do this was using the very first generation Thomson HD box that had component output and then buy a component input device for the PC. Those Thomson HD boxes are now old and pretty much unsupported now and so not much help to you.

The other way is extract+ but again, only for free to air channels

Thanks for that. I feared that there might be some DRM issues.

I have the latest Sky 890 box which is far better than the early Thompson boxes and I wouldn't consider downgrading to one of those unreliable beasts.

I do use Extract+, which comes with ExPVR. It is very useful but as you say only works with FTA content.

I’ve upgraded my Sky 890 by removing the 500gb disk and replacing it with a 2tb (2,000gb) disk. The SATA power and data cables are long enough to reach outside the rear of the box so I didn’t fit it inside the box. It just rests on a little heat platform on the glass shelf behind making it very easy to remove for backups, using Extract+, swapping disks etc.

It runs very cool and the fan in the Sky box now never comes on.

Avoriaz

Spank wrote: »

I really don't understand your logic, you seem to think it's OK to D/L stuff but it's not to U/P?

The fact the Megaupload has been closed down hasn't given you a clue that's illegal?

Speeding is illegal but the majority do it.

I'm not talking about downloading commercially produced DVDs or CDs to avoid the cost of purchase.

I am talking about making or downloading files that others have made of one off music performances that have been broadcast on TV and will never be commercially released.

It is legal for me to record Later with Jules Holland and replay it as often as I choose.

What is the real difference between me doing that or making an mpg file from it and replaying that?

None.

It is little different to buying a CD and copying the music to an iPod or mp3 player for personal use.


I choose not to upload the files I have made myself. I make them for personal use and not for sharing or for profit.

Others may upload the files they have made. That is their choice.

Megaupload was not closed down because of the types of files that I have downloaded.

Rapidshare, Mediafire and many other sites also host those types of files without, so far anyway, being closed down

almillar

It's not legal for you to keep that Jools Holland recording for longer than 2 weeks though as far as I'm aware.
Anyway, as I think you realise, you're stuck with recording SD from your Sky box. HDMI, on any device, works on a chain system and only the end of the chain can do anything with the picture - ie the only thing I can think of with HDMI IN would be a surround sound amp, which takes the sound and passes on the picture to the HDMI IN on the TV, which then displays. Manufacturers basically aren't allowed to make devices that record from HDMI. Feel free to backup your stuff as you do now, and HD stuff will be downscaled.
Note that you can backup your Sky hard drive if you like, but the only way to watch the stuff is with the drive inside a Sky box.

marleyboy

I use one of these...........


http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=HD+home+dvd+creator&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=8176197494206538093&sa=X&ei=3ixWT57wJ8PA0QWBv6ndCQ&ved=0CHYQ8wIwBA
It works fine for converting the source to a file (then onto DVD), Albeit I have HD, I am not 100% sure if it converts to HD or not, although it does claim to but have never tried it with HD.

neilwoods

Avoriaz wrote: »

Speeding is illegal but the majority do it.

I'm not talking about downloading commercially produced DVDs or CDs to avoid the cost of purchase.

I am talking about making or downloading files that others have made of one off music performances that have been broadcast on TV and will never be commercially released.

It is legal for me to record Later with Jules Holland and replay it as often as I choose.

Technically it is illegal to record TV (time shifting) in this country, but they allow it to happen to a degree, so if you record for your own use then they allow, but if you upload it and share it, or download a tv show someone else has recorded, then you do run the risk of being taking to court.

Avoriaz wrote: »

What is the real difference between me doing that or making an mpg file from it and replaying that?

None.

It is little different to buying a CD and copying the music to an iPod or mp3 player for personal use.

Format shifting is also illegal in this country at this time, but they allow it as it is impossible to enforce

Avoriaz wrote: »

I choose not to upload the files I have made myself. I make them for personal use and not for sharing or for profit.

Others may upload the files they have made. That is their choice.

Just like it is your choice to decide if you want to illegally download what others have recorded from there Tv.

Avoriaz wrote: »

Megaupload was not closed down because of the types of files that I have downloaded.

Rapidshare, Mediafire and many other sites also host those types of files without, so far anyway, being closed down

Megaupload was closed for the sharing of copyrighted material, all broadcast tv is copyrighted so it falls under the same category as commercially bought cd's and dvd's.

scotsbob

There you go Avoriaz, the forum teacher has arrived to correct your work with his red pen.