Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Direct Recording from Camcorder to DVR

Mar 21, 2006 2:57AM PST

I have been digging around on this topic for most of the morning and have called various audio / video stores but so far no luuck.
What I what to do, if possible, is record directly from a camcorder to a DVR. In essence using a camcorder as a "surveillance" type device and routing the image directly into a standard consumer DVR.

Has anyone done this before and if so what hardware is required of features need to be available on the devices to make it work.

Thanks in advance for any responses

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
What does a DVR have available for audio/video input?
Mar 21, 2006 3:37AM PST

Sorry to ask, but I don't have a DVR. My computer performs that function.

- Collapse -
What does a DVR have available for audio/video input?
Mar 21, 2006 4:00AM PST

The DVR has the typical left / right audio and video rca type input connections. I would like to be ab;e to record color video directliu into the DVR without having to first record it to tape. In most cases the desired recording time will exceed the recording lenght of any camcorder.

- Collapse -
The one problem...
Mar 21, 2006 4:17AM PST

While many camcorders can double as a plain camera, all retail units power off in so many minutes. This is not a defect. The camcorders could 'burn up' since they are not designed for continuous use.

There is a simple, cheap fix. Look at the CCTV type cameras at geeks.com and hook that up.

Bob

- Collapse -
The one problem...
Mar 21, 2006 8:54AM PST

Thanks Bob ... I thought that might be a solution but I didn't want to go out and but something wihout having at least some confirmation that it would work. Thanks again for your time.

- Collapse -
You decided to toast a camcorder?
Mar 21, 2006 9:30AM PST

Today's retail units don't hold up under such use. A camcorder is hundreds of dollars but the site I noted has cameras under 50...

Bob