501 replacement - how to archive recordings?

[Bud Fox]

My 501 PVR has been acting up. Whenever I turn it on, the hard drive disc spins and spins and never boots up. After a couple hard resets, I can usually get it to work. I called Dish, and they said they'd replace rather than repair the unit at no charge (extended warranty).

Anyway, I've got a couple programs I don't want to lose saved on it. I am pretty much resigned to buying the Panasonic DMR E80 and transferring them to that. (I've been thinking of buying that anyway). But before I spend $600, I figured I'd ask if anyone knew of another way to get the programs off the 501.

I've got two 501's in my possession (the replacement receiver just arrived.) Is there a way to record from one to the other? Or any other way to get it off the bad receiver? Video tape is not an desired option.

Thanks in advance for your help. I found this forum a couple weeks ago and it's been great.

-Bud

 

[Smith P.]

That's will be great if Dish start selling special cable for connect two PVR for move recordings from one to other. Dream, dream ....

 

[Stargazer]

Get a PC PVR (if you can get the software to work once you get it).

 

[Mike_H]

Check Yahoo Groups for a group called DishRip. There a solution is discussed but I hear it requires some effort.

Otherwise Video Tape is the only answer.

 

[retiredTech]

OR YOU CAN do realtime video capture via computer video capture and svideo/L R

 

[Stargazer]

That would be the PC PVR, either internal or external. It would capture any analog video source (an even an HD one if you buy the hardware that is made for that) to be sent to the computer in which you can store onto the hard drive, cd, or dvd.