Convert DVR-MS to AVI/ DivX/ XviD/ WMV/ MKV/ OGM/ MP4

July 15th, 2006

I recorded some TV on Windows Media in DVR-MS. I know that I can get a converter from Green Button but Green Button has a problem with new system and I cannot join or do anything. Can I get this convertor or a similar convertor elsewhere?
- Andy

If have about USD 40 to spare, you can buy the Digital Media Converter, one of the popular commercial tools for converting DVR-MS files to other formats. You will need their free MPEG 2 decoder to help do the job. Now lets talk about the free option to achieve the same.

How to convert DVR-MS to a MPG/ DivX/ XviD/ AVI/ WMV/ other formats using free tools:

  1. Download/ install the DVRMSToolbox.
  2. Open C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Recorded TV to view your recorded tv files or the location where your DVR-MS files to be converted are located.
  3. Go to the Windows’ Start Menu and click on DVRMStoMPEGGUI to launch it.
  4. Enter the complete path of the input file in the appropriate text box. (You can find the name of the episode by selecting the DVR-MS file in My Computer or Windows Explorer and reading the information given in the status bar)
  5. Enter the complete path of the destination file in the appropriate box. Make sure you give it the correct extension (mpg).
  6. In the profile drop down list, choose which action you want the utility to perform. For converting to .mpg you will need to choose Convert DVRMS to MPEG. (You should convert it to MPEG if you plan to convert to DivX/XviD)
  7. Click Run. Wait for this process to complete. You may be prompted to save a copy of the log to a file.
  8. You should have your file ready.
  9. If you plan to convert it to DivX or XviD format you need to install VirtualDub-MPEG2.
  10. After installing VirtualDub-MPEG2, you need to open the MPEG video file in it (It may take a few minutes for it to parse the data) and follow this tutorial.
Filed in Ask Jayant, Windows Vista

12 Responses to “Convert DVR-MS to AVI/ DivX/ XviD/ WMV/ MKV/ OGM/ MP4”

  1. Andrew Stockman Says:
    September 3rd, 2006 at 9:11 am

    AVS video tools is cheaper than digital media converter. It supports converting vro to almost all video formats and burning DVDs.
    http://www.dvd-tool.com/convert-dvr-ms.html

  2. John De Lorenzo Says:
    July 6th, 2007 at 7:46 pm

    I was able to convert a dvr-ms file with microsoft movie maker. I have vista and it had no problem converting it to an avi file.

  3. Rob Says:
    September 29th, 2007 at 7:19 pm

    I have windows movie maker 5.1 on MCE 2005 and it doesn’t support DVR-MS.

  4. Rob Says:
    September 29th, 2007 at 7:46 pm

    This converts so unbelievably quickly! A file that would take over an hour in DVR2WMV takes less than a minute in DVRMS Toolbox. Thing is, it hardly compresses the files, but it is still great.

  5. ralph Says:
    December 1st, 2007 at 12:23 am

    when I ran the setup, it said I have to install a dotnet fix, yes or no. If I try to install the dotnet fix, it says it’s already there. If I say no, the installation bails.
    T’supwitha?

  6. Gene Says:
    February 7th, 2008 at 1:23 pm

    I tried several versions of the programs. Only the recent one version1.2.02 (vista on) worked. One complaint: it can convert only one file each time. Can the program do a string of files?

  7. edison23 Says:
    March 18th, 2008 at 6:24 pm

    MediaCoder
    Hi, i’ve got a note: this work, can handle Mediacoder 0.6.1. very good, resault is perfect. Mediacoder is freeware. Only you have to do some work with settings. With some codecs my comp. converts even 50fps!
    That’s all..i hope this will help

  8. Dave Says:
    April 13th, 2008 at 1:26 am

    Using DVRMSToolbox you can just double click on the file text box to select the file, no need to copy and paste paths!

  9. ASf Says:
    July 17th, 2008 at 8:56 pm

    Thanks a looooooooot!!!!

  10. Asdasdf Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 10:41 am

    Hey thanks for the tutorial, but mostly the link to a working video converter to DVR-MS.

  11. mindspin Says:
    August 15th, 2008 at 12:23 am

    I have vista ultimate media center,
    how do I use .NET 2.0 to install DVRMSToolbox? and is ZuneTVWatcher better software?
    I don’t know which one to install the .NET Framework Version 2.0 Redistributable Package, or the .NET Framework Version 2.0 Software Development Kit.
    Can someone please send me step by step instructions on how to install, I currently have DVRMSToolbox 1.2.1.1 downloaded, and do I need to DL the ComSkip program as well? Thanks

  12. Creator of General AI Says:
    August 27th, 2008 at 7:34 am

    This was great very useful thanks a lot
    I use DvrmsToolbox to change a recorded TV show into a format my camera can play back. I can now hack my camera to work as a video ipod for $500 cheaper. YAHOO

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