Windows Media Center Format

Zaza

Obliviot
I've been using Windows Media Center to record shows that I enjoy watching. My original intention was to record the show, edit out the commercials, then save it to a DVD or iPod. Well, when Windows Media Center records something, it saves it under a format not recognized by any digital video editting software. So, my question is this: Is there a way to change the file type to something different (a software that supports .dvr-ms) or is there a video editter that allows me to edit .dvr-ms? Thanks in advance.
 

LOOP

Obliviot
Microsoft probably does that to prevent people from trying to do what you want to do. By using a proprietary format, they prevent people editing or distributing the videos.
 

Jakal

Tech Monkey
I'm assuming you're using a video input card. If you're using an Ati, their software allows you to save under any codec you want. Avi, Mpeg, DivX etc. and you can even do the audio the same way.

Not knowing which input device you're using it's hard to say, but you may find that Ati's software can read your card. I have a TV Wonder Pro, and used it to record movies while I was away. I just used Ati Media center, and the tv option.

I found some software that will record from an input device:
<a href ="http://www.chris-pc.com/tweak/index.html">ChrisTweak</a>. It's not free but supports a variety of cards. You might find another program out there that'll work. Hope this helps.
 

Zaza

Obliviot
Um, no I don't think I'm using any input card. My computer came with Windows Media Center which allows it to hook cable into the back of my computer and watch it on my moniter. Windows Media Player has a function like TiVo which alows you to record TV.
 
Zaza said:
Um, no I don't think I'm using any input card. My computer came with Windows Media Center which allows it to hook cable into the back of my computer and watch it on my moniter. Windows Media Player has a function like TiVo which alows you to record TV.

Uh, yeah.....the connection for your TV cable is on the input card, most likely the video card. List your system specs, and we can help from there.
 

Zaza

Obliviot
Operating System System Model
Windows XP Media Center Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600) Gateway 2000 GX7022E
System Serial Number: CBL5A 810 02885
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
3.00 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
16 kilobyte primary memory cache
1024 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: Intel Corporation D945GBI AAC99325-202
Serial Number: AZBI53102265
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: Intel Corp. PB94510J.15A.0173.2005.0831.1214 08/31/2005
Drives Memory Modules c,d
320.06 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
206.87 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

PHILIPS DROM6216 [CD-ROM drive]
TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-H552B [CD-ROM drive]
VA7757K HYW037M SCSI CdRom Device [CD-ROM drive]

Generic USB CF Reader USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 2
Generic USB MS Reader USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 4
Generic USB SD Reader USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 1
Generic USB SM Reader USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 3
WDC WD3200JD-22KLB0 [Hard drive] (320.07 GB) -- drive 0 2046 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'J6H1' has 512 MB (serial number 0x02028217)
Slot 'J6H2' has 512 MB (serial number 0x02027B22)
Slot 'J6J1' has 512 MB (serial number 0x02026625)
Slot 'J6J2' has 512 MB (serial number 0x02026622)
Local Drive Volumes


c: (NTFS on drive 0) 315.07 GB 204.30 GB free
d: (FAT32 on drive 0) 4.99 GB 2.57 GB free
Network Drives
None detected
Users (mouse over user name for details) Printers
local user accounts last logon
Administrator 9/20/2005 5:56:53 PM (admin)
Owner 3/21/2006 3:30:00 PM (admin)
local system accounts
ASPNET never
Guest never
HelpAssistant never
SUPPORT_388945a0 never

DISABLED Marks a disabled account; LOCKED OUT Marks a locked account

hp deskjet 5100 series on USB001
Controllers Display
Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) Ultra ATA Storage Controllers - 27DF
Intel(R) 82801GB/GR/GH (ICH7 Family) Serial ATA Storage Controller - 27C0
Primary IDE Channel [Controller] (2x)
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller] NVIDIA GeForce 6200 TurboCache(TM) [Display adapter]
Default Monitor
Samsung SyncMaster [Monitor] (20.2"vis, s/n HCJY800008, August 2005)
SyncMaster 204T(Analog) [Monitor]
Bus Adapters Multimedia
SCSI/RAID Host Controller
Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27C8
Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27C9
Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27CA
Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27CB
Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 27CC ATI Unified AVStream Driver
SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
Communications Other Devices
SoftV92 Data Fax Modem with SmartCP


1394 Net Adapter
Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
primary Auto IP Address: 192.168.1.101 / 24
Gateway: 192.168.1.1
Dhcp Server: 192.168.1.1
Physical Address: 00:13:20:72:A1:7E

Networking Dns Servers: 24.93.41.125
24.93.41.126
Texas Instruments OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
HID-compliant consumer control device
HID-compliant device (3x)
Microsoft eHome Infrared Transceiver
USB Human Interface Device
Microsoft eHome Remote Control Keyboard keys
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
HID-compliant mouse
eHome Infrared Receiver
USB Mass Storage Device
USB Printing Support
USB Root Hub (5x)
 
Ok.......that's a little more than I needed to know..........I really didn't need your system serial number. *grin*

Ok, you have an ATI Theater 550 Pro TV tuner card, jacked in with an nVidia 6200 onboard graphics chip. Jakal's suggestion should work for you, using an outside program to record the TV shows you want to edit. I'm less than pleased with the nVidia/ATI combination, otherwise I would suggest getting the latest ATI drivers for your card. You could certainly try that, and if you get any wierdness, roll the driver back to the original.

Go here: https://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894&task=knowledge&folderID=27

Click Windows XP, TV Tuners, then get the lastest Theater 550 drivers, and try the PowerCinema software. It might not work with your card, but it never hurts to try.

Be sure to read the related topics, as well.
 
Last edited:

Jakal

Tech Monkey
Thanks Fuss for replying... I had to catch up on some very much needed rest from work.. I hit the bed about 2 yesterday afternoon and didn't wake til 8 this morning.

I hope you got it all figured out Zaza. The Ati software was pretty easy to use when I had it. :)
 
Top