Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix and whatever they are called offer a lot of great content, but rarely on a long-term basis. You also want to keep some content yourself so that you can watch it again later. But how can you record films and series yourself?
Why is recording not provided?
In the days of VCRs, we were used to recording everything we wanted to watch at some point. In this way, films, series and so on were available to us for as long as we wanted.
Ever since the Internet was able to provide sufficiently fast download speeds for the transmission of video, we have been persuaded that we no longer need the video recorder. Since then, streaming has been the big buzzword. No more complicated self-recording. No more buying video cassettes, no more hassle with archiving and so on. With streaming, all of these inconveniences are eliminated. It also promised that you could get everything and much more your heart desired.
When Netflix was the sole top dog, that may have still been true. But the content has long since been divided among many streaming providers. Everything from a single source at an attractive price, that was once upon a time.
With a streaming subscription you can watch content as often as you want. So you don’t need to record anything. It’s not really intended either. Even if you buy a film on a streaming platform, it doesn’t really belong to you. Strictly speaking, with the purchase you only acquire a right of use. If a streaming provider ceases operations, this right of use also expires and the purchased content is gone. By the way, this has happened a few times.
How to be safe?
Even in the digital age, recording yourself still has the advantage that content is available to you for as long as you want. So also for years. The time factor has recently become more important simply because online video recorders, such as those included in the packages of TV streaming portals, do not allow for permanent storage. They will be deleted six months after they are “recorded”. Incidentally, this fact is hardly made a big deal. But it is also to blame for the fact that programs that you were sure you had recorded with the online video recorder can suddenly no longer be found in the recording list.
Recording from pay video platforms can also be worthwhile. For example, to always have a concert of your favorite star at hand or to be able to watch films or series even after you have ended a subscription. Many streaming subscriptions can be canceled on a monthly basis, allowing maximum flexibility.
What do you need?
DVB-T-Modulatoren are available from around 100 euros. They have an HDMI input to which the digital signal source can be docked. This can be, among other things, a Blu-ray player, a streaming box or stick, but also a pay TV receiver, a surveillance camera, a PC or a games console. Everything that outputs images and sounds via HDMI can be connected to a DVB-T modulator.
This converts the HDMI signal into a DVB-T multiplex and outputs this to the antenna output socket. The connected DVB-T box or TV recognizes the modulator as a multiplex and reads it in the course of a search, just like the packets from ARD, ZDF or Freenet.
How to record?
In addition to the DVB-T modulator, you also need a receiver that can also record. Usually these are Combination boxes for satellite TV and DVB-T2 with two built-in tuners. They usually record to any USB storage device. This can be an external hard drive or a USB stick. Some models have an inconspicuous slot on the back for a micro SD memory card.
The recording takes place in real time, as is usual with linear television. For example, you have to start a Netflix film and then let it run until the end. At least you don’t have to stay glued to the TV during this time. By the way, everything that appears on the screen is recorded. You should therefore avoid pressing any buttons on the signal source remote control while recording. For example, in the middle of the film, the synopsis or the selection menu for the soundtracks or subtitles would become visible. Have fun recording Netflix, Disney+ and Co.!
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Source: www.digitalfernsehen.de
