It seems like it should work like any other recording, but before I buy a DVD recorder, I want to be sure. We are moving from our house to an apartment soon. I have had Direct TV for two years and have a collection of saved DVR programming that I don't want to lose. However, the apartment is all wired for DISH and there is no way to mount my own south-facing dish and keep Direct TV.

Will I be able to record my DVR contents (concerts, Planet Earth series, etc.) directly to a DVD recorder? Thanks.

I think that it is encrypted.

Sure! If the DVD recorder accepts incoming signal that it is capable of recording.

Take the video and output cable from the Direct TV reciever and run those INTO the INPUT of the DVD recorder.

Take the output of the DVD recorder and plug into the TV so that you can see what channel you are on, etc.

Easy to do!

BTW: If this is Hi-Def recording...you will not be able to record in Hi-Def.

Thanks D-Rod! I figured it was pretty easy to do with all the various ins and outs from all the machines. And, unfortunately, of course, it is all in Hi-Def and so I still have to settle my internal debate about the worth of going to the expense of a recorder to see inferior stuff. Again...appreciate the help.

It will be in 480p quality I believe, rather than 720p or 1080i it came in....

If you have deep pockets, you could buy a Blu-Ray recorder. Then you could keep the Hi-Def.

And more than likely, the Direct TV box is hooked into the TV via HDMI (looks like a computer connector) or Component (Blue, Green, Orangish red, Red, White).

More than likely, you will need to get some RCA cables (Red, White, Yellow) to hook it into the INPUT of the DVD recorder.

A DVD recorder should be around $100.

Just holler if you want/need more help!

I do this all the time. I have a 2 year old Magnavox that cost about $125. I have it hooked up with standard yellow, red, white RCAs. I do not have HD so the quality is about the same.