Travel Technology - Transfer recorded shows from DirecTv HD HDR (HR20) to laptop

Is it possible for me to transfer recorded shows from my home DirecTv HD DVR (model HR20) to my laptop harddrive?

Travel related question as I fly a lot. I have started buying shows from iTunes and that works great for the plane. Just wondering if I can avoid the cost of iTunes.

I researched and searched for clues. The only thing I see is SlingBox which I think is the tool that allows me to watch my shows stored on my home HD DVR from my internet-connected PC. Not really the solution for airplanes.

DirecTV announced back in 2006 a concept called DirecTV2GO which was supposed to allow you to transfer content from your DVR onto handheld multi-media devices similar to video-IPods. But have not seen them. There have been several new products rolled out by DirecTV -- DirecTV on Demand, the ability to stream files from your computer to your DVR, the ability to schedule shows remotely via the web, and now they have a beta for watching your DirecTV on your PC over your network. But no mobile store and take with you solution.

As far as an airplane, I have tried my Slingbox (which is connected to my DirecTV box) on the AA Gogo in-flight Internet service between LAX and JFK. I hit a few spurts where the transfer rate was ok, but in general the speed was not fast enough to watch my Slingbox at 35,000 feet.

The only way to do it is burn the show to a DVD (it will be in 480i) and then go from there.