USB recordings on different TV

[minx]

I suspect that there isn't an easy way of doing this or at all.
I have recorded a number of HD tv programs on a USB hard drive with the aim of playing the programs in our campervan when abroad and unable to receive telvision from our satellite dish. The programs were recorded from my Panasonic PVR to a Western Digital USB hard drive.
It is intended for the USB to be connected to my Avtex HD tv in the campervan.
To record from the Panasonic required the USB drive to be registered to the Panasonic. When connected to the Avtex, the USB needs to be fromatted by the Avtex.,in doing so, the USB is formatted and the contents lost.
I understand that this is proably to avoid piracy of material but it seems ridiculous that I can't watch my own recordings on my own TV.
Are there (lawful) ways of doing what I would like?
Thanks

[echelon]

I suspect that you may have trouble achieving your aim in this fashion, so the first task is see if the usb hdd and these files can be seen on a laptop, if they can , see what file format they are using

one method of doing this would be to use a suitable recording device, like a sat box to record the programmes onto an internal hdd and transfer to usb, or recording to an external drive , either an external hdd or usb stick

then it become a case of what spec of files this Avtex TV USED when abroad will actually play

a lot of the cheap tv,s will only play AVI files

others will play mp4 and/or mkv as well as avi files, possibly TS files, you never know until you test the theory

well known brands of modern smart tv,s will play various file types including the above, as will android boxes and other devices if connected to the tv (like say an MX2 android box, or the mygica box sold by goldwafers)

so I suppose what I am saying is thet there are various methods of recording programmes to hdd or usb, plus various methods of playback, but you need a file type that is compatible with both record and playback where the stick or hdd isnt formatted by the device each time

my Sony and LG smart tv,s will play all kinds of different file types, but I just tested a cheapo DGM tv last week that will only playback avi files, yet is fine if I hook up an MX2 and playback the files using the android box

so you will have to try recording these programmes using different methods, like on a smart tv , on a sat box etc, then try playing the files back using various tv,s and boxes to see if there is any common ground

and you have the option of trying to convert any recordings using a pc, to change the file format from one type to a suitable different type (laborious)

I know my solo2 will record to hdd and I can transfer the recordings and play them on a laptop ( ts files ) - so maybe these can also be played on other devices or on a smart tv ?

same with a spiderbox or similar bespoke box which may produce similar files

the trick is to find a method you are happy to use with this no-name tv in the campervan too

[minx]

Thanks, Echelon for the comprehensive reply. i'll bring my mac air home from work and see if I can see the file types in the USB hard drive. Incidentally, the AVTEX is not a cheapy set; it is a German make specialising in HD sets for motorhomes, boats etc. Although not a smart tv, it is reasonably sophisticated.

i'll post back when I can try the USB on the mac.
Thanks.

[echelon]

ok

well start by trying to "see" any recorded files, or find other ways of recording files like I did on my solo2 ( ts files on the solo2 )

then try as many file types as possible on this AVTEX tv , using a usb stick or whatever , to get a list of what filetypes it can play (also check its spec sheet too) which is what I tried last week on a 24 inch DGM tv (it only played avi)

then look at something like a mediabox like the android MX2 , mygica android box , tablet or phones and see what can be hooked up or streamed to the Avtex so you have a better idea of what this tv (or a connected box) can play

then look to marrying up recorded files to playback files and what equipment is required in order to achieve your aim

its difficult to explain but I know what I mean, so I hope you get the gist of trialling all methods until you find an option that works, even if it means hooking up a media player to the tv and possibly using a different recording method (spiderbox , technomate , vu or similar)

[minx]

Right, my mac air doesn't see the recorded file; it recognises the USB hard drive but nothing on it. The oonly other way of recording is try my old Spiderbox 9000. i'll record some programs on the USB using that and see whether the Avtex (or the mac for that matter) can read the files.

i know what you mean (I think) and I'll report back.

[echelon]

yep, reminds me of the sony hxd recorder or the sly plus box, bespoke systems using bespoke files and bespoke formats

the spiderbox idea should work and a windows laptop should see the files and play them using VLC or Gom player or similar (no idea about a Mac)

assuming you manage to play those files, the question then becomes- will the Avtex see the usb stick and play the files as well ?

or will it throw a strop and want to format the usb stick ?

or will it accept the stick but refuse to see or play the files ?

if it doesnt, you need to test a box that will, like an android box or similar, that can be plugged in using HDMI if possible (like a Mygica or MX2) into a spare port on the tv

[minx]

Hmmm....recorded onto USB drive from Spiderbox, but mac and Avtex don't read the contents. Will research the Mygica or MX2. Looks like i may need to take DVDs!

[echelon]

spiderbox 9000 records on drives formatted to the windows pc standard of fat32 in TRP format

https://www.satpimps.co.uk/showthread.php?159404-Recording-HD

https://www.satpimps.co.uk/showthread.php?141040-Hard-Drive-Recording-on-9000-HD

and this thread seems to indicate it records mpeg files in trp format

https://www.satpimps.co.uk/showthread.php?159910-Advice-needed-on-trp-files

https://www.satpimps.co.uk/showthread.php?149847-cannot-locate-recorded-trp-files-on-ex-hdrive

https://www.satpimps.co.uk/showthread.php?149350-what-software-to-convert-trp-files-please

https://www.satpimps.co.uk/showthread.php?146445-what-file-format-does-the-sb-hd9000-when-it-save-a-film-to-pvr

a spiderbox 6000 records on fat32 drives in ts file format and these play on a windows pc or laptop using VLC or Gom Player (probably other players too)

[DJSat79]

USB HDDs/ Memory sticks attached directly to a TV will usually only record / play on that particular TV.
When the drive is connected it is formatted in a way that adds some code that prevents reading on other devices (TVs, PCs etc - they don't recognise the format)

I have started using the Icecrypt 1600 sat receiver with a 64GB memory stick attached (FAT or NTFS)
This will record in .TS format and, (when the 000.ts is accessed) seems to play on most "Smart" TVs and PCs.
The only problem is that if the recorded file gets to 5GB (it's windows based), it then starts a 001.ts file and, if you try to join these together (using a video editing package) there are a few dropped frames.
(Other problem is that the file defaults to playing the "narration" track and you have to manually select the "normal" track - Not easy when editing as you have to import the "normal" audio separately and the line up with the video)