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I have a humax decoder for satellite TV its hard disk is formatted in EXT3 and I have an external USB HD also EXT3. I can, using linux see the files on the USB HD but cannot play them or make a DVD from them. (not protected!)

Any suggestions how to get a program in Linux to play Humax type files would be very much appreciated. The files are .ns, .nts, .htm I think. If I use Dolphin and the ubuntu media player they can see the files but not play them.

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Following 's note that a workaround succeeded, below are practical, Linux-native steps to identify, play, remux and author PVR recordings so a second machine is not required.

Start by identifying the container and codecs. Use file and ffmpeg/ffprobe to inspect the recording; that tells whether a simple remux will work or a full transcode is needed.

file recording
ffprobe recording
ffmpeg -i recording

If the stream is already MPEG (common for PVRs) a lossless remux is the quickest route. Remux to a widely supported container and try playback:

ffmpeg -i recording -c copy -f mpegts recording.ts
vlc recording.ts

To make a standard video-DVD from the recording, transcode to DVD format and author an image:

ffmpeg -i recording -target pal-dvd dvd.mpg
dvdauthor -o VIDEO_TS dvd.mpg
genisoimage -dvd-video -o disc.iso VIDEO_TS
growisofs -dvd-compat -Z /dev/dvd=disc.iso

Troubleshooting notes: confirm file sizes and read permissions (use ls -l); if remuxing fails, the wrapper may be nonstandard or proprietary — hexdump/strings on the file start can reveal recognizable signatures. If playback tools report unsupported codecs, transcode with ffmpeg to a compatible codec. GUI alternatives for authoring include K3b/DeVeDe on many distros. Core tools referenced here are FFmpeg and VLC, both useful for probing, playback and conversion.

Member Avatar for mjdodd

for those who see this one I have found an answer.... using linux kubuntu I (in Dolphin) copy the files via the network to a PC machine and then using a sophisticated DVD writer cut the DVD from there.

I tried using the dvd writer in ubuntu but I think there is a formatting problem but thanks to viewer anyway.
M

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