I've just got my brand new Panasonic DMR-EA18 DVD Recorder and tried to record some documentaries that I had recorded to my TWC HD DVD Recorder box. When I tried to play back the DVD I recorded, it wouldn't play. Then I learned from TWC that there are some shows that can be record to DVD and many that don't allow you to do that, but they wouldn't give me the list of channels, shows with these restrictions. So, I'm left to trial and error. I'm mostly interested in documentaries by NatGeo, Science Channel, Discovery, PBS, etc. Does anyone know where can I get a list of those shows/channel that I can record and those I cannot?
I cannot keep these show on the cable box because then I run out of storage. Any suggestions on what options I have?

Jhon
:)

DRM can be applied by Network (AMC) or even show by show. In some cases commercials have been flagged, causing the show to record until the commercial comes on and then stop. It's pretty much impossible to keep a current list. That said, anything you can watch on an analog TV can be recorded by some method.

A few points:
Does your Cable HD recorder output HD and SD simultaneously? If not, you will have to switch it to an SD analog output, (Composite or S-Video) otherwise you don't have a signal to record. To check, you will need to monitor the Panasonic recorder, not the cable recorder. (cable HD -> Panasonic -> TV)

The Panasonic should stop with a warning when it detects a copy flag. If it records and you get a blank disk, then you probably had a connection, setup, or other problem.

You might need a different recorder. A pre year 2000 VCR or a PC with a capture card not using Window's Media Center will record almost anything. A PC can even record Macrovision protected content but not the VCR.