I've consulted with some who know more about video content that I do. It seems that the problem you are trying to solve is not that easily dealt with. First of all most of the modern vintage DVRs that do output content may do so on an HDMI connector but the stream is usually encrypted so as to preserve IP and copyright provisions. You just will not find many gadgets that permit such content to be fed directly to the laptop screen due to the content rights restrictions.

I have been told that your best bet is to look to do the transfer from DVR to PC via component video. It is possible to find PC attachment devices that accept component video and can feed it directly to the screen for viewing. Apparently there are also a few PC TV tuner devices that also offer a parallel component video input as well.

Overall the best proposal is to purchase a device that connects to the HDMI connector and does the content conversion into a form that can feed the PC. I'll get the make and model number of the device the folks that I talked to were recommending and post that information here tomorrow.

Michael Karas