• Around The HomeToggle Menu

    • Entertainment
    • Productivity
    • Smart Home
  • FamilyToggle Menu

    • Parenting
    • Toys
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • Product ReviewsToggle Menu

    • Phones
    • Tablets
    • Laptops
    • Desktops
    • Wearables
    • Audio
    • Cameras
    • Headphones
    • Printers
    • Smart Home
    • TVs
    • Gaming and Video
  • One Cool ThingToggle Menu

    • Frugal Tech
    • Kickstarters
    • Videos
Techwalla
  1. Home
  2. Around The Home
  3. Entertainment
  4. How to Transfer Shows From a DirecTV Receiver to a Hard Drive

How to Transfer Shows From a DirecTV Receiver to a Hard Drive

By: Danielle Fernandez
  • Share
  • Share on Facebook

DirecTV allows customers with the appropriate DVR equipment to transfer and view recorded programming on a separate hard drive. To increase the recording space available, you can use the eSATA connection on the back of your DVR to connect a compatible external hard drive. To completely transfer content from your DVR to your computer and save programming to a hard drive for viewing later, you will need to use DirecTV2PC or the GenieGo service and capture the video using recording software.

Man watching television with laptop
You can free up storage space on your DVR for future recordings.
credit: Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images

Increase Recording Space With an External Hard Drive

Step

Check the model number, located inside the small door at the bottom right corner on the front of the DirecTV DVR receiver, to verify that it is either an R22 (DirecTV Plus DVR) or HR20 or above (DirecTV Plus HD DVR).

Step

Power off the receiver and disconnect the power cord from the back.

Video of the Day

Step

Connect an eSATA hard drive to the eSATA port on the back of the DVR.

Step

Plug in and power on the eSATA hard drive. Allow it to initialize.

Step

Plug in and power on your DirecTV DVR receiver. After reboot, it will disable the internal hard drive and transfer new programming to the external hard drive.

Using DirecTV2PC to Access DVR Programming

Step

Ensure your DirecTV DVR is connected to the Internet using the Wireless DirecTV CINEMA Connection Kit, available separately from DirecTV. If you do not have a Whole Home DVR, you can use an Ethernet cable connected from the DVR to your home router (see link in References for connection instructions).

Step

Select the "Download Now" link on the DirecTV2PC software download page (link in Resources). Enter your name and email address so that DirecTV can email you the activation key for software setup and click "Submit."

Step

Install the DirecTV2PC software. Check your email for a confirmation and activation key from DirecTV, and enter it when prompted by the installer.

Step

Launch the DirecTV2PC software and use the menu, which is similar to the program guide on your DVR, to select programming for playback.

Using GenieGO to Access DVR Programming

Step

Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into the back of GenieGO and the other end into your Wireless DirecTV CINEMA Connection Kit.

Step

Connect the power supply to the GenieGO device and power it on.

Step

Download the GenieGO app to your computer or mobile device (link in Resources). Follow the on-screen instructions to activate the device and register your applications.

Step

Select programming from the list of shows available on your DVR to broadcast it to your computer or mobile device -- you can select from shows you have already recorded or shows you are currently recording live.

Capturing Video Using Screencast-O-Matic

Step

Download and install the Screencast-O-Matic software to your computer (link in Resources). Launch the software when it is installed.

Step

Use your mouse to draw a bounding box around the video window of your DirecTV streaming software. This defines the portion of your computer screen that will be captured to video.

Step

Press "Alt-P" to begin recording. Press "Play" on your DirecTV streaming software to play the programming.

Step

Press "Alt-P" on your computer keyboard to end recording.

Step

Select "Publish to Video File" to save your clip in QuickTime (MP4), Windows Media File (AVI), Flash (FLV) and Animated Image (GIF) formats. You can also modify the output size, rescale or add notes and captions.

Show Comments

Related Articles

How to Add Security Cameras to a DirecTV System

How to Add Security Cameras to a DirecTV System

Around The Home
Entertainment
By: James Clark
How to a Use a DVR Without Paying a Monthly Fee With DirecTV

How to a Use a DVR Without Paying a Monthly Fee With DirecTV

Around The Home
Entertainment
By: Greyson Ferguson
How to Transfer Files From a DVR to a Memory Stick

How to Transfer Files From a DVR to a Memory Stick

Around The Home
Entertainment
By: David Wayne
How to Get Shows Off Direct TV DVR to a Computer

How to Get Shows Off Direct TV DVR to a Computer

Around The Home
Entertainment
By: James Clark
How to Watch Netflix Movies on a DirecTV Receiver

How to Watch Netflix Movies on a DirecTV Receiver

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Tiffany Ameh
How to Back Up Files From My DirecTV HD DVR

How to Back Up Files From My DirecTV HD DVR

Around The Home
Entertainment
By: Greyson Ferguson
  • HOW WE SCORE
  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • TERMS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • COPYRIGHT POLICY
  • Advertise

An error occurred. Try again later.

Thanks for signing up!
© 2019 Leaf Group Ltd. Leaf Group Media

Get great tech advice delivered to your inbox.

Keep your family productive, connected, entertained, and safe.

Please enter a valid email.