I'd like to record some HD programs using a D-VHS and have a Motorola DCT6200/100 Cable STB with Firmware:16.35 located in Rochester, MN using Charter Cable.

How do you verify/check that the firewire port is functional?

Thanks.

Anybody............? :eek: :eek:

Borrow a D-VHS and try recording?

Borrow a D-VHS and try recording?

I had that sense due to the absolute lack of response on this thread. Well, there is no D-VHS to borrow so I bought one from eBay and hope that it functions well.

Do you or anybody record using firewire to a JVC D-VHS 3000u? What's your procedure on doing it?

Thanks

JVC 30k is a good choice.
Assuming your ports work (and if they don't you can raise a stink with your cableco once you find out), it should work perfectly for recording.

No special procedure, insert tape, push record on remote/menu.

I own two 30K's and they will work fine if your port is active.

Your going to want to make sure you have the tuner set to I-? some number will be assigned when you hook up the cable box.

Also...your cable Co may have flags set improperly on some channels and that may cause recording problems. You will not know for sure until you get to play with the unit itself.

The nice thing about recording HD with a DVHS unit vs a computer is that you do not have to worry about 5C. Computers will not record 5C flagged channels...DVHS will take it with no problems.

Timecop & Star56, Thanks for sharing that information.

The HTPC solution seems a little more complicated that's why I decided to go this route. IMHO, I think that it is just a matter of time before HTPC is fully mature enough (software and some hardware) to handle everything that we Audio/Video enthusiast want it to do.

There is some information in this forum suggesting that the 30k could be a little temperamental and that some people are pairing it up with a Mitsubishi D-VHS as the machine that does recording and playback. Do either of you have any info or experience on this?

I actually bought a Mitsubishi HS-HD2000u just in case this was true.

Well, not so good news.

The Mitsubishi 2k arrived yesterday and it functions beautifully but cannot establish a connection with the port of the cable stb. It detects it and tries to get going but; no dice :(

A few years ago, this Forum was chock-full of STB > DVHS via IEEE 1394 threads and posts. Now, it's like a ghost town regarding that technology as you have discovered. Everybody seems to have moved on to HD-DVR's since they've become so ubiquitous and thrown their DVHS decks out in the garage. From what I've been able to gather by pulling together fragments of information here and there, the Motorola STB/DVR platform still generally has working firewire, so that's good for you. The Scientific Atlanta platform, like TWC (my provider) uses for the most part, had a software "upgrade" pushed out last August that disabled firewire. (Before that, there were confounding 5C problems that kept it from working properly.) Yes, I know that's supposed to be a violation of the FCC mandate 'n all, but the providers simply don't care. The "law" has no teeth, and no champions to enforce it. And there's no groundswell of indignation amongst the viewers anymore, either, so nothing is likely to change. They've all just moved on, for the most part, to HD-DVR's and the new HD optical formats.

It sucks for me because I've got a zillion movies I'd like to offload from my SA8300 DVR, but it won't hold a firewire lock on my JVC 40k tape deck. I make inquiries from time to time, but they just stonewall me and I never get anywhere. Good luck to you; at least with the Motorola box you've got a fighting chance. For awhile, at least.

archiguy, You and I have the same sentiments on this topic.

I'd rather watch DVD movies rather than watch TV but HDTV programming makes it definitely more attractive for me. Recording programs is not even something that I do on a regular basis but every once in a while, there is an occassional program that I would like to record especially when I'm away from home and I want the option of being able to that in HD.

The JVC 3k has been shipped and is expected to arrive within the next few days so i'm hoping that it has better luck with communicating with this firewire port or i'll have to start bugging the cable company if this port is not active OR maybe just cancel them and get an HDTV-on-the-air tuner......save me at least $50.00/month.

I also found out that the Mitsubishi does not communicate with the firewire port of my Canon Optura 20, so it might be an issue with the Mitsu's firewire.

I think that the reason there are few discussions of DVHS is that few are trying it for the first time. Myself I have used it for 3 years and it works fine. Nothing to discuss. (However I use DVHS with a firewire OTA STB to record OTA HD.)

Rick R

I think that the reason there are few discussions of DVHS is that few are trying it for the first time. Myself I have used it for 3 years and it works fine. Nothing to discuss. (However I use DVHS with a firewire OTA STB to record OTA HD.)

Rick R

Sure, OTA using the 2 or 3 STB's that included 1394 ports, but which have all been discontinued, is fine. The problem is that TWC, in particular, has deliberately disabled firewire at the software level on their STB's/DVR's. The SA STB's come with the appropriate hardware; it's just useless. Nobody cares anymore.

I also found out that the Mitsubishi does not communicate with the firewire port of my Canon Optura 20, so it might be an issue with the Mitsu's firewire.
That's becausei its a DV camcorder.
Why would you expect that to work with DVHS.
It will "work" with JVC30K, but thats because it has a onboard MPEG2 encoder, which will encode Standard-Def DV to one of the LS-modes on tape (14mbit? I think and below).

Regarding firewire out on your STB, good luck
sounds like time to threaten with FCC to your cableco.

A few years ago, this Forum was chock-full of STB > DVHS via IEEE 1394 threads and posts. Now, it's like a ghost town regarding that technology as you have discovered. Everybody seems to have moved on to HD-DVR's since they've become so ubiquitous and thrown their DVHS decks out in the garage.
Huh so everyone moved from a STORAGE media to a volatile "time shifting" media where you can't keep the material forever? Makes so much sense.

That's becausei its a DV camcorder.
Why would you expect that to work with DVHS.

O.K. I repent, was that was too much to ask for.... :)

It will "work" with JVC30K, but thats because it has a onboard MPEG2 encoder, which will encode Standard-Def DV to one of the LS-modes on tape (14mbit? I think and below).

Thanks again, that was great news.

Regarding firewire out on your STB, good luck
sounds like time to threaten with FCC to your cableco.

We'll see what happens when the JVC unit arrives. I just hope it works or it might be time to look for other alternatives like satellite or on-the-air transmissions :D I will post my experience.

Well, not so good news.

The Mitsubishi 2k arrived yesterday and it functions beautifully but cannot establish a connection with the port of the cable stb. It detects it and tries to get going but; no dice :(

Make sure you are trying to copy something that is okay to copy, like a network station. Subscription channels often (usually) don't work if you are transfering off the DVR.

Huh so everyone moved from a STORAGE media to a volatile "time shifting" media where you can't keep the material forever? Makes so much sense.
Ok now you got me going.

I have a DVHS and OTA STB with firewire to record OTA in HD.

I also have a HD DVR (the Dish 622) to record OTA and satellite HD. Of course you can not save very much of this as storage is limited. So I just purchased a DVD burner that takes the s-video output of the DVR and burns a SD (but pretty good) DVD. My wife and I were watching the Dancing with the Stars final four and she said she would like to save that so I burned a DVD. It was OTA but I only DVRed it so it was too late to record it DVHS. Also several movies I DVRed also are burned to DVDs.

However, every time I burn a DVD it makes me mad that "Hollywood" is preventing me from saving it in HD. As I type this I am getting madder.

Ok, end of rant.

Rick R

However, every time I burn a DVD it makes me mad that "Hollywood" is preventing me from saving it in HD. As I type this I am getting madder.

Ok, end of rant.

Rick R

Ah, welcome to my world Rick. I'm absolutely convinced that the crippling of firewire was demanded by the studios, and the content providers just rolled over and let them do it. It's no coincidence that the satellite companies never supported firewire (remember how DISH Network shipped their first HD-DVR's with metal tape over the firewire ports?), and just about every cable company platform that once supported firewire no longer does, with the exception of some of the motorola boxes. They must have missed that one. :rolleyes: :mad:

We are all in the same boat and feel the same frustration but a thoughtful and calm approach is needed.
All these problems have a solution which is why we participate and pool our experiences and knowledge in forums like this. There is always a SOLUTION :) :)


Just an idea but; Is there a standalone box that will convert component video and audio to firewire output so it can be recorded in a dumb d-vhs?

We are all in the same boat and feel the same frustration but a thoughtful and calm approach is needed.
All these problems have a solution which is why we participate and pool our experiences and knowledge in forums like this. There is always a SOLUTION :) :)


Just an idea but; Is there a standalone box that will convert component video and audio to firewire output so it can be recorded in a dumb d-vhs?

I know of no box or converter.

My DVHS machines are humming along on a daily basis. Moto 6412 feeding Mits played back through my JVC's.

The latest thing I have had to deal with is that my CBSHD affiliate suddenly now has a flag set to block any computer recording. DVHS still works so my anger is limited.

I agree with the previous posters...the content Nazi's don't want anyone recording their content in HD. Firewire is the last chance we have to capture this stuff. Do it while you can :)

Just an idea but; Is there a standalone box that will convert component video and audio to firewire output so it can be recorded in a dumb d-vhs?

That'll cost you ~$15k or so.

That'll cost you ~$15k or so.


Will any of these units work?

http://www.synthetic-ap.com/tips/firewireconverters.html

........snip.......

I agree with the previous posters...the content Nazi's don't want anyone recording their content in HD. Firewire is the last chance we have to capture this stuff. Do it while you can :)


They can object all they want and throw every wrench they can in the mechanisms but they will never succeed ;) :D :D

Just think of how music and dvd's are being used/abused by computer gurus.
I am not an advocate of this since it is a really time consuming, expensive process to get everything working right (at least for a person of my technical ineptness) and unfair to the artists.
All I want is to be able to record the occassional HD program of interest that I miss when I'm away from home and be able to play it back using a d-vhs.

Will any of these units work?

No

No

Why not?

Do they lack the internal decoder/encoder processors?


Thanks.

That's becausei its a DV camcorder.
Why would you expect that to work with DVHS.
It will "work" with JVC30K, but thats because it has a onboard MPEG2 encoder, which will encode Standard-Def DV to one of the LS-modes on tape (14mbit? I think and below).

Regarding firewire out on your STB, good luck
sounds like time to threaten with FCC to your cableco.

My DV Cam will work with both my TV and my JVC 40K DVHS. I have had no problem getting an I-? assignment from my JVC for my CAM. I also have chained in my FIOS STB.

-=AE=-

Why not?


Because none of them cost > $10,000

For starters, the firewire port has to work, by law. Search on these forums and you'll find some concrete references to it. I don't own a D-VHS but one way you can fiddle around is to simple attach a firewire cable from your STB to your computers (XP and above) and try to get it running using these drivers--instruction and drivers on this page http://replayguide.sourceforge.net/dct6412/ This could at least help you tell for sure if it's on or not.

I've read posts where some people found two firewire ports on the back of their unit, one live and one dead, so be sure to check both.
Also, be sure to set the STB to a 'network' channel (ABC, NBC, CBS) etc, to avoid any 5C problems when using a computer--this is a problem you won't have a D-VHS unit.

A side note: if you have a Mac running OSX, this all much easier and foolproof. If you have one, or access to one, just install the firewire SDK from the Apple site, and use AVCVideocap (included with the SDK) to test.

Thanks for the responses everybody.

Update time: Well the JVC 30ku arrived today but was a bad unit and after fiddling with it for an hour or two, I contacted the seller and shipped it back :(

Okay so how about this:
Are there any standalone boxes that will convert D-VHS tape movies from firewire to component video and optical audio out?
Explanation: The Mitsubishi can only output HD (including audio) using the firewire port , it does not have HDMI or component video output or optical audio outputs (analog only L & R) or would it just be better to run it off the JVC 30 or 40ku unit.

You will want a 30K. Probably the cheapest "standalone box"
It doesn't have to work (tape mechanism). as long as electronics / mpeg decoder part is operational.

You connect Mitsu -> 30k -> component / optical out to TV.

You will want a 30K. Probably the cheapest "standalone box"

I was afraid of that :(

It doesn't have to work (tape mechanism). as long as electronics / mpeg decoder part is operational.

For what these things are selling, my feelings are they have to have everything in working order. I'll try to get another one or just buy a new one if they are too expensive on the used market. Maybe on my next trip to Asia :D

You connect Mitsu -> 30k -> component / optical out to TV.

Thanks for your input.

I had some free time last night and for the heck of it, I connected the firewire of the cable STB to my computer to see if it detects it....VOILA....it does. So I guess that the firewire port is active on this box and if worse comes to worse and I cant get a good d-vhs, a PC could be used for HD recording too.

Off Topic: Just got my bill from the cable company yesterday and there was a ~$37 increase so I called them today and asked them what was going on and they said the promo that I had expired (been on it for more than 3 years) and it would increase by another ~$10 next month.
We talked and I asked them to cancel my all of my TV cable packages if they couldn't extend that promo to me. They eventually agreed to extend it for 6 months and we'll see what happens then :(

I can get a JVC HM-DH5U or a Marantz MV8300, will either of these units work for recording off firewire in HD?

I can get a JVC HM-DH5U or a Marantz MV8300, will either of these units work for recording off firewire in HD?

The JVC 5U will work fine if you have an active firewire port.

Star56, Thanks for that info. BTW, I found out that the Marantz MV-8300 is just a rebadged JVC HM-DH4000U and both of them should work since they both have firewire. Only difference that I could see is that the JVC 5U has an HDMI output and I think an ATSC tuner.

Star56, Thanks for that info. BTW, I found out that the Marantz MV-8300 is just a rebadged JVC HM-DH4000U and both of them should work since they both have firewire. Only difference that I could see is that the JVC 5U has an HDMI output and I think an ATSC tuner.

That's correct. I have the Marantz version. It's completely identical except for the cosmetics. It's all black, which I thought would look nicer in my A/V rack. :) Even the owner's manual is exactly the same, except the word "Marantz" is substituted everywhere you'd normally see "JVC". I'm not sure what Marantz saw their market as by doing this; perhaps "professional" over "consumer"...?

At any rate, I got it to record HD movies from premium channels. Since TWC has disabled firewire on all their STB/DVR's, it's become a playback machine only. :(

Star56, Thanks for that info. BTW, I found out that the Marantz MV-8300 is just a rebadged JVC HM-DH4000U and both of them should work since they both have firewire. Only difference that I could see is that the JVC 5U has an HDMI output and I think an ATSC tuner.

The 5U does NOT have an ATSC tuner.

The 5U does NOT have an ATSC tuner.

You're probably right. I might have been thinking of the 100 or something like that.

I got the Marantz since the 5U was going to be $180.00 more and the only advantage was an HDMI output (with the ATSC tuner nixed as an advantage).

Hello Everybody,

Well, the Marantz arrived and I started to put it on its paces doing the following:

1. Basic playback and recording was verified and seems fine.
2. Verify communication of the DVHS with the STB via firewire which was fine.
3. Try to record and playback HDTV programs via firewire, which was SUCCESSFUL :cool:
4. Establish communication between the Mitsubishi DVHS and the Marantz DVHS. This part was a little more troublesome since there was never a solid connection. The Mitsubishi was always displaying a message that it was "now connecting"
with the d1 (vcr) and d2 (tuner). I never got it to say that there was a connection. I had to manually choose either d1 or d2 which corresponds to output to Marantz
VCR and input from Marantz VCR via firewire but using the same port. Confusing as heck :confused:
5. Manually choosing either d1 or d2 from the Mitsu, I was able to either record or playback in HD using the Marantz as encoder/decoder and as the video output. Confusion reigns :confused:

ISSUES:

I only have one issue with this system that I am yet to resolve; maybe you folks can give some more elegant solutions. I cannot get the STB to turn-on and record on either of the D-VHS's as a timer record. I could not select either of the firewire channels when doing a timer record from either of the two DVHS's.

Any ideas on what to do?

ISSUES:

I only have one issue with this system that I am yet to resolve; maybe you folks can give some more elegant solutions. I cannot get the STB to turn-on and record on either of the D-VHS's as a timer record. I could not select either of the firewire channels when doing a timer record from either of the two DVHS's.

Any ideas on what to do?

You can't set up a timer recording thru firewire on a D-VHS deck. The reasoning was that there would always be a "cink" device, an STB or some other source, to provide the start-stop signal for a firewire recording.

There are 2 things you can do:

1) Get a "VCR controller" (sometimes they're called a "VCR Commander") that will transmit a start-stop record signal from your STB via a IR emitter that sticks to the display window (or just above it) of your VCR. Then schedule your recordings from the STB. You need to make sure your STB works with the controller (you may have to identify the brand of VCR from a scroll down list or something).

2) Get a cheap remote that can set up a timer signal and transmit it via IR code to the VCR. Radio Shack used to sell one (I bought one but used the "VCR controller" method instead); maybe they still do. Just point it at your Marantz and it should do the trick.

Good luck!

~archie

Archie, thanks for that info. I did a search on the VCR Commander and it seems to be a dedicated accessory of Scientific Atlanta boxes and I am using a Motorola DCT 6200.

I'll look into the Radio Shack method. I seem to have read about those gadgets but was hoping for a more elegant solution since the firewire is "supposed to" be able to control the VCR when a record is programmed on the STB. It never ends..... :)

..........snip..........
2) Get a cheap remote that can set up a timer signal and transmit it via IR code to the VCR. Radio Shack used to sell one (I bought one but used the "VCR controller" method instead); maybe they still do. Just point it at your Marantz and it should do the trick.

Good luck!

~archie

Radio Shack does not make these things anymore, at least that's what 2 stores in my area claim. I hope this is the unit needed http://support.radioshack.com/productinfo/DocumentResults.asp?sku_id=15-1996&Name=Remote%20Controls&Reuse=N since I ordered 4 of the darn things cause they were so cheap :D

Radio Shack does not make these things anymore, at least that's what 2 stores in my area claim. I hope this is the unit needed http://support.radioshack.com/productinfo/DocumentResults.asp?sku_id=15-1996&Name=Remote%20Controls&Reuse=N since I ordered 4 of the darn things cause they were so cheap :D

Yep, that's the one. I found one here in town at a Rat Shack for $3. :)

Thanks to everybody for your help in this project; it was truly a learning experience which I could have not pulled-off without your assistance.

The 4 VCR programmers arrived today and they work like a charm. Only complaint is each will only do ONE programmed event so if you want another event you have to use another VCR programmer; good thing I bought 4 of these mommas :)

You will want a 30K. Probably the cheapest "standalone box"
It doesn't have to work (tape mechanism). as long as electronics / mpeg decoder part is operational.

You connect Mitsu -> 30k -> component / optical out to TV.

This is exactly what I will need to do when I replace my DLP TV that has firewire ports on it. It's becoming very hard to find HDTVs with them anymore, I think even the latest Samsung DLP's don't have them anymore.

Next TV won't be a DLP, too many mechanical parts and the price of LCDs and plasmas has dropped so much. 2-3 years ago DLPs were the best bang for your buck sizewise, but anymore, flat panels are just as cheap.

It sucks for me because I've got a zillion movies I'd like to offload from my SA8300 DVR, but it won't hold a firewire lock on my JVC 40k tape deck. I make inquiries from time to time, but they just stonewall me and I never get anywhere. Good luck to you; at least with the Motorola box you've got a fighting chance. For awhile, at least.

archiguy,

Try the freeware TSReader Lite.
I have been able to make HD recordings off my SA8300HD and save them to a HDD.

archiguy,

Try the freeware TSReader Lite.
I have been able to make HD recordings off my SA8300HD and save them to a HDD.


Another idea....

Try to pick the firewire "channel" manually and record. I think it is I-1 on my Marantz (JVC 40000U clone).

Is there a standalone box that will convert component video and audio to firewire output so it can be recorded in a dumb d-vhs?
The Edirol VC-200HD (http://www.edirol.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=222&Itemid=424) converts component video and audio to Firewire (in the HDV format), which can then be captured by a PC, and maybe by some D-VHS decks. The list price was initially expected to be $4500, but it is now $7000.

There is a new encoder chip called the LibraENC (http://www.nel-world.com/products/video/products/lsi_and_modules_solutions/libraenc/index.html), which costs about $60 per chip in volume, so maybe there will be other boxes in the future that are priced much lower.

Erik, That's some expensive toy :)

I checked out the link on the chip and didn't quite figure if it does decoding too. Doesn't the signal stream need to be encoded for recording and then decoded to be displayed?

I checked out the link on the chip and didn't quite figure if it does decoding too.
The LibraENC does not do decoding. There is another chip called the SuperENC V (http://www.nel-world.com/products/video/products/lsi_and_modules_solutions/superenc5/index.html) that can do both encoding and decoding, but it might cost a bit more than the LibraENC.
Doesn't the signal stream need to be encoded for recording and then decoded to be displayed?
That's correct. Encoding for recording. Decoding for playback. However, you don't necessarily have to do both in the same device. That is, you could use one device for encoding/recording, and a different device for decoding/playback.

Huh so everyone moved from a STORAGE media to a volatile "time shifting" media where you can't keep the material forever? Makes so much sense.

Yeah, I'm still baffled too. :confused:

I think it is more that most never had a D-VHS machine. Since there is nothing to replace it (legally), I can't see a D-VHS user giving it up.

Ive read a lot of posts about trouble transferring premium channel content from a cableco dvr to a dvhs because of flags/5C/HBDCP/DRM. My question is can you record directly to a d-vhs while the premium content is actually being broadcast assuming the firewire port on the STB is active?

Ive read a lot of posts about trouble transferring premium channel content from a cableco dvr to a dvhs because of flags/5C/HBDCP/DRM. My question is can you record directly to a d-vhs while the premium content is actually being broadcast assuming the firewire port on the STB is active?


In my case, YES :)

I only watch and record HDTV program's and havn't found one that I could not record :cool:

The LibraENC does not do decoding. There is another chip called the SuperENC V that can do both encoding and decoding, but it might cost a bit more than the LibraENC.

Just before everyone gets their hopes up, I've contacted NEL regarding this chip about a month ago for some work related project, they need $50k USD just to talk about it (initial support/design fee) and then its available in 1k lots for undetermined price.

Person99, I never considered D-VHS prior to me having HDTV due to it's expense. The pursuit of a device that would record the occassional HDTV program in a cost and time effective manner brought me to try it.

timecop, The time will hopefully come when those chips are massed produced to a point of economical viability; until then, the good old JVC (and clones) D-VHS will be my machine of choice :)

Just before everyone gets their hopes up, I've contacted NEL regarding this chip about a month ago for some work related project, they need $50k USD just to talk about it (initial support/design fee) and then its available in 1k lots for undetermined price.
I think the previous encoder chips used to cost $6000 per chip a few years ago. The new ones are $60 per chip (according to the press release). That's a big drop in price. Maybe the price per chip will drop below $10 in a few more years.

Anyway, there are HDV camcorders that cost under $1000, and they contain encoder chips. It's just a matter of adding a component video input to those camcorders, but it seems that no manufacturer wants to take that step.

Convergent Design (http://www.convergent-design.com/) plans to release an HDV encoder (http://www.convergent-design.com/downloads/HD-Encode%20Pro.pdf) in a few months. Theirs will supposedly be priced lower than others.

"~1/5 the cost of broadcast HD MPEG2 Encoders; ~½ cost of competitive HDV encoders"

Erik, That's good news. Let's just hope that the trend continues aggressively.

Update on recordings: I noticed that over the past 24 hours, I've been unable to record HD programs on my Mitsu HS-HD2000U, it show "C.P." on the panel display. I wonder if the cable company has been messing with the copy flags. I can still record directly from the Marantz.

I have the system setup as: STB-->Marantz D-VHS-->Mitsu 2000U D-VHS

Any ideas on what to do other than doing all the recording on the Marantz?

Convergent Design has announced the list prices.

HD-Encode : US $2,995
HD-Encode Pro : US $3,995

The Pro version has more features.

foamfan,

does your STB have a 2nd firewire port you can run directly to the Mitsu? I'd give that a try.

- Tim

ok, I tried a recording to DVHS JVC HMS5U from SCi ATL 8300HD thru firewire, SD channels live works fine, analog channels do not and HD live does not work at all

I tried DVR recordings HD and Regular and they work decent, the only thing is that they hiccup audio and video quite a bit, any comments? Is this comcast or is this the HMS5U messing up the signal?
Comcast in Northern VA

new update, I get occasional audio dropouts, audio sync issues and some pixelization. Also I have seen the 5U just shut down and give error messages stating that I can't record from source use set top box. And I have seen the 5U turn off and power back up in the middle of the recording and keep going. Are these copy protection things? Is using HDMI out to the TV causing this? Should I be using component video instead?

foamfan,

does your STB have a 2nd firewire port you can run directly to the Mitsu? I'd give that a try.

- Tim

Tim, After a few hours of messing with the cable stb, Marantz & Mitsu dvhs units, I finally figured out what the problem was; It was related to the Marantz dvhs (JVC 40k clone). I unplugged the Marantz for about 20-30mins and the whole shebang worked okay like nothing happened.
I have my system setup for SOLELY recording HD programs and since the Mitsu doesn't have built-in MPEG (?) encoding-decoding capability, the signal has to run through the Marantz then into the Mitsu for recording.
On the very rare occassion (Tour de France) that I want some SD recordings, I run the S-Video and L&R Audio of the cable STB to the Mitsu.

It is an awesome system but certainly not foolproof :)

DVDO,

You got the same stuff posted on about 4 threads :eek: :D :D

I read some of the responses and archiguy and Star56 have great suggestions that you could try.
If your problem is solely with HD recordings then you might try this: Turn off your source box, turn off your JVC dvhs and unplug the cord, unplug all the signal wires going to the JVC, plug in ONLY your firewire cable from your source box to the JVC, turn on your source box wait a few mins, then, turn on the JVC, wait a few mins, choose I-1 (digital input channel) and try to record a local HD channel (like news or something that probably wont carry a NO COPY signal, dont try to record a movie), after a few mins of recording, try to playback whatever you recorded using whatever audio and video output you have (HDMI or component video outputs), see your result on your HDTV. If you dont get anything, your firewire from your source is probably disabled :(

GOOD LUCK

I'll give that a try thanks