Most DVR's have a firewire port, and this is the main way to move stream files from the internal HDD to a computer. Is it legal? No. Is it something I am willing to explain here on the forums? No. Is it completely doable? Yes. Dadiggle mentioned using USB and ethernet to do this. Almost all DVR's won't move stream data using either of those methods. The ethernet is typically limited to streaming internet content (netflix and such) and other inbound data applications. The USB on a lot of DVR's is useless, but some allow things like viewing pictures and playing media from a memory stick. The Firewire and eSATA port (on most newer DVR's) is how you go about moving data off the DVR. This varies from model to model, and provider to provider. I believe Dish network actually allows you to connect external eSATA hard drives to their DVR's and details how to do it in the instruction manual. From what ive heard, cable providers are not as willing to allow this, and block things like that, so playing with the FireWire port is the other alternative. Google your DVR's model and see what's out there for it. It's not terribly hard to do. It typically takes a driver to install on the PC to allow it to connect to the DVR, and then placing the DVR into target mode / diagnostic mode to allow the transfer.