Recording from Samsung TV

[john4647]

Just a basic question.
Is it possible to record from a TV (mine is a Samsung) in a format that can be used by VS?
My TV recordings on a USB seem to consist of numerous files. The only large files are .SRF but VS does not recognise these.
Also, Handbrake does not recognise them.

[Ken Berry]

What device are you using to capture the video, and how exactly is it connected i.e. with USB cable, or HDMI or some other way?

[john4647]

Hello,

Toshiba 1TB USB Hard Drive. Standard HD>USB cAble. USB Socket on Samsung TV.

[Ken Berry]

But do you have some sort of capture software on the hard drive? A simple google search will show you a variety of devices which can do what you are trying to do. But they involve software of some sort. Normally, a simple hard drive inserted into the TV can play recorded video from the drive onto the TV. But without capture software of some kind on the hard drive, I would not have thought it possible to capture anything usable...

[RobertOZ]

As far as I am aware, Samsung .srf files are recorded with DRM protection,which cannot be removed, so can only be viewed on the TV where the program was recorded, you may have difficulty finding a suitable converter

[rwernyei]

One needs to use a HDMI splitter to strip HDCP.
This one does the trick.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004F ... UTF8&psc=1

HD cable box/HD DVR recorder HDMI Out to HDMI Input on Splitter. Passthrough HD signal with Splitter's 2 HDMI Outputs: 1 HDMI Out goes to TV while other HDMI Out goes to HD capture card. I personally like the AVerMedia GC513 Live Gamer Portable 2 PLUS. Captures directly to MicroSD card in PC-Free Mode.
https://www.amazon.com/AVerMedia-Portab ... 86441&th=1

[john4647]

Hello all, thanks for your replies.

Confused now, (Quite a common occurrence).
Can anyone recommend a software package?
All I want to do is record Samsung TV to any acceptable VS format. I don't need advert skipping or subtitles, just an MP4 file or similar.

[canuck]

Why not tell us what software package you used to record from your TV?

[rwernyei]

He's not using any software. My understanding, his USB drive is connected and registered to the Samsung Smart TV so it can record .srf files like a DVR. My method above allows one to use the HDMI splitter as an in between device to strip HDCP so one can record on other devices in workable formats. The HD capture card I mentioned records to MicroSD 1080/60p MOV in PC-Free Mode perfectly fine for VS editing or use OBS installed on a PC or laptop connected to it via USB and capture in a variety of formats: MKV, MOV, MP4, TS

[john4647]

That's quite correct, I don't have any software on my Toshiba Drive.

It has a number of MP4 videoes on it, which play quite happily on my PC or on the Samsung TV.
Content that I have recorded from the TV (the .SRF files) play on the Samsung but not on my PC.
Being a Luddite, I will need to get my head round the HDMI splitter option.
Thanks for your replies.

[john4647]

Can't quite understand the HDMI splitter thing (I did say that I was a Luddite).

I have been looking at other options for recording TV in a format that VS can use.

Does anybody have any suggestions on a device like this? Hauppauge WinTV-SoloHD model 01589 Freeview HD tuner for PC

It seems to record in .TS format. I presume this is the same as .M2TS ?

[rwernyei]

John,

You are recording directly to a USB hard drive in which the Samsung TV has registered to use its proprietary format .SRF that have digital protection so they cannot be converted or viewed with media players. Your TV can only play these files. The HDMI splitter option removes the HDCP allowing one to put another device in the mix to record to a usable format MOV 1080/60p to MicroSD (AVerMedia GC513 earlier recommendation) or through a different HDMI device USB connected to a laptop/PC running video recording/live streaming software like OBS that records in a variety of nle friendly formats.

You buy a TV tuner card, you will run into the same problems Old Grey is experiencing when wanting to edit .TS files and preserve subtitles.
https://forum.corel.com/viewtopic.php?t=70372

[john4647]

Rwernyei,

Thanks for your reply. Am I right in thinking that if subtitles are not a concern, then I can edit .TS files in VS?

In simple terms, if following the Splitter option, do I just need a Splitter, plugged into my Samsung and a USB HD plugged into the splitter to record in MOV or MP4 format?

[rwernyei]

Yes, VS has the ability of editing .TS files.

Splitter option, is used when you want to record content HBO, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. These contain DHCP so daisy chaining splitter to another recording device in the mix allows you to hardware record MOV or use the above software to record in a variety of formats.

Your USB hard drive is only relevant if you want your .SRF files PC viewable. One needs to have HDMI splitter along with HDMI device connected to a laptop running OBS to screen record your .SRF files while playing them using Samsung's media player. OBS captures in MKF, MOV, MP4, TS formats.

Bottom line, you have to buy two devices. HDMI Splitter to remove DHCP and a HDMI capture device that records to MicroSD or has a USB port to connect to PC/laptop to use software.

[john4647]

Rwernyei, many thanks for your replies.

As I am not really concerned with HBO, Netflix etc. Or indeed subtitles. I think I may go the Hauppauge WinTV-SoloHD model 01589 Freeview HD tuner for PC route.

I wonder if anyone has used this or a similar device?