Your hard drive video recorder will surely create digital recordings, which means that you do not need the USB video converter for analog to mono when transferring to your computer. You just need some software. If you want different options, MPE 16 is very popular.

Programs like Video Easy are precisely that, real easy to use, but you may  want more options.  That's where MEP 16 comes in. 

Cheers

 M o' L