Scientific Atlanta - Explorer 8300HD

[MrK]

I frequently cannot burn from this Cable DVR to my Sony DVD Recorder because the Sony restricts the recording some programs. I have two questions:

1 Is there any way to skip burning a DVD and go straight from my Explorer DVR to my PC?

2 Do all DVD Recorders prevent burning of programs that have special copyright protection (I heard Sony was big on this) and is there any way around it?

Thanks
MrK

[01video]

"DVD Recorders prevent burning of programs that have special copyright protection" you can try anydvd (http://www.softsea.com/review/AnyDVD.html) or clonedvd (http://www.softsea.com/review/CloneDVD.html).

[MrK]

I am trying to copy a movie sent from my local cable provider. Is there any way to alter the signal once it leaves my cable box and before it gets to my DVD recorder.

Or, is there a different way to get video from this cable box directly to my computer where I can capture it?

Thanks

[Anole]

One way a receiver or disc player can stop you from copying the video, is to insert Macrovision (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrovision) on the output signal.
Your cable box and DVD recorder may use a more advanced scheme; I am just not up on it.

Maybe 10 years ago when I wanted to make a VHS tape of some of my DVDs, I bought a little video processor box, which you fed just the composite video through.
It removed the Macrovision protection.
Prices range from about $30 to $100, depending on whether they scrub your composite (RCA jacks) signal, or S-video signal, or maybe both.
I've seen some fancier models at Fry's Electronics, but little one-of-a-kind electronics or stereo stores might have 'em, too.
Google is your friend.

[zaphod7501]

I am trying to copy a movie sent from my local cable provider. Is there any way to alter the signal once it leaves my cable box and before it gets to my DVD recorder.

Or, is there a different way to get video from this cable box directly to my computer where I can capture it?

ThanksWell, you could record it on a VCR (assuming the VCR is a pre2000 model; post 2000 VCRs also honor certain protection bits) Macrovision can be stripped but I don't know of anything that can remove the other flags.

You can capture the analog signal (S-Video, composite, RFch3) with a PC if you have a capture card and you are not using a Media Center Edition of Windows. MCE also responds to flags but Native and Third Party software does not. The capture cards themselves do not recognise protection in their hardware, all PC DRM is software based. (at least with all the current and past cards)

There is also nothing illegal about recording the shows, regardless of protection bits or flags since you are not breaking encryption to record. The Broadcast Flag did not make it into law. The DVD recorders (and MCE) refusal to record flagged content is a voluntary design (probably based on threats from content owners) but is not based in law (at this time). Stripping MacroVision is technically illegal since you are altering a protection method but most capture cards make it unnecessary to remove it. MacroVision only works with devices that have poor video preprocessing. That's why Beta was immune from most MacroVision symptoms.

Note to Anole: The protection used from cable boxes to DVD recorders is usually CPRM or something newer called CCI (I think). MacroVision is almost never used except for some Premium content like HBO since MacroVision is licensed and they have to pay every time it is used. They can add bits for free but have to pay for encryption (and MacroVision). Traditional MacroVision is an analog protection format. I think they have come up with a digital version but like all of their stuff, you have to license it and pay per use.

[Anole]

Pretty much every DVD you buy, has the Macrovision:ON bit set on the disc.
The Macrovision signal is actually generated by the DVD player , or set-top box.

It wouldn't surprise me if HBO pays the tiny royalty to have some of their programs go out with the bit, and then a cable box or satellite receiver generates the Macrovision on the spot with the video it puts out.
However, that is only speculation.


On one of my receivers, I take digital delivery of satellite content upstream of that processing, so I don't really know if there is protection.
On another system, the receiver feeds a DVD recorder, and I suspect that receiver specifically disregards any such command, if it is even issued.

I haven't seen my video scrubber box in years, and don't really miss it. :D

edit:
Oh, here's another interesting tidbit I picked up on the DVD Labs forum.
That's a DVD authoring package.
They don't give you the control of the bit on the DVD that makes the player turn on the Macrovision analog signal.
You are not permitted to set that bit without a license and after paying a fee, so the software just doesn't let you control it.

I understand that the pressing house will turn on that bit on your image when they master a run for you, if you show proof of license and such.

[TBruno]

Years ago this used to be used to sold so you could write DVDs with pesky DVD Recorders. I've no idea if it is still sold or not.
http://home.cfl.rr.com/filter/