I recorded some old stuff on my DVR and when I attempted to put it on a DVD, I was prevented in this by the program being copyguarded. (An old Vietnam War documentary) This is the first time I have encountered this.

Have any of you encountered this? These particular shows have been around for many years and I am puzzled why they are now copyguarded.

There seems to be scattered reports on the forum of this happening. Sometimes it's due to the recorder in question being too sensitive in it's desire to obey copy-flag restrictions and seeing them when they are not there. Other times, the broadcaster is simply putting the once-flag in and saying "no" to permantant archives. I suspect we will see this more and more. It will build slowly, but I think most people expect it to happen.

I saw it on the SciFi channel

My premium cable channels (HBO, Starz) just started happening. Cable company
said it didn't change anything and they can't help.

the powers that be may be finally cracking down on copying just about anything. no more unprotected hd channels (that i know of)! and now even sd channels? to make matters even worse, SIMA CORP. told me last week that they no longer import and market the ct2, ct200, scc2 'enhancers'. they lost the lawsuit w/ macrovision/others over copying protected content. dimax grex may be a possibility if someone wants to archive said content.

It seems that the problem I have is in the DVR, not the Panasonic DVD recorder. If I record a program on the DVR and attempt to record to a DVD -R, I cannot do it, but if I record the program direct from the History Channel to the DVD recorder, it appears to record ok.

It seems that the problem I have is in the DVR, not the Panasonic DVD recorder. If I record a program on the DVR and attempt to record to a DVD -R, I cannot do it, but if I record the program direct from the History Channel to the DVD recorder, it appears to record ok.
please describe dvr, make, model #, etc. some sa(scientifi/atlanta) dvrs (stbs) have issues when connected by s vid, composite video to panasonic dvd recorders.

I have the Comcast basic DVR TDC575D (Pace)
Thanks, John

is pace the brand name? if so im not familiar w/ it.

Yes. At least that is the name on the front. This is a no frills DVR, provided by Comcast.
There are the standard RF inputs / outputs and a set of RCA plug outles as well as the S video, optical and component video outputs.

Apparently the "copy once" flag means you can "copy" to the cable DVR (that is your "once") but not from there to the DVD recorder. As you noted if you record to the DVD recorder during the live play you are okay (that is your "once" copy). Try copying to the DVR and the DVD recorder simultaneously - I wonder if that works.

I have Comcast HD service with a Moto 6412 box. I have NEVER had a problem copying anything, either directly to my DVDR, or from the Moto box to the DVDR. That includes premium channels, and On Demand channels. So, what I don't understand is, why doesn't copy protection show up for everyone, every where, on all cable systems, when a particular channel adds copy protection? Do some cable companies filter it out, or fail to pass it along somehow? Doesn't the anti-copy flag originate with the channel, say The History Channel, or HBO? If so, why do only some people/systems get a no copy, or copy-once flag, and others don't?

Apparently the "copy once" flag means you can "copy" to the cable DVR (that is your "once") but not from there to the DVD recorder. As you noted if you record to the DVD recorder during the live play you are okay (that is your "once" copy). Try copying to the DVR and the DVD recorder simultaneously - I wonder if that works.

"Copy-once" recordings can only be recorded on certain types of media, for example, HDD, DVD-RAM and other media that is CPRM compliant; they cannot be recorded on DVD-R or DVD+R. Likewise they cannot be dubbed from HDD or DVD-RAM to DVD-R or DVD+R.

After I made my last posting here, I called Comcast just out of curiosity and they said there could be a problem or issue with the Pace unit, so they suggested that I could upgrade to the Motorola DCT 3416 1, which I did. I came home, hooked it up and made a test recording and I believe this will work. Right now, the DVR is loading the TV guide which could take 24 hours.

I will have to make a report later.
Thanks, John

Incidently, the program I was attempting to record was "Vietnam, the 10,000 Day War," which is avaliable on dvd - for a cool $1,299 on Amazon.com

One way to get around the 'Copy Once" probem, is to change the CGMS flag to
"Copy Always" before it is recorded. I guess the inconvinent thing, is that you have to find a way to feed the video to the DVR externally, not through the internal tuner. As far as I know, there is only one device that can do this. I don't mind telling you that I have it and it is available. If anyone is interested, write me a PM and I'll tell you abou it.

Well, I made a test recording again on the History Channel with the new DVR and it recorded with the panasonic DVD recorder. I then took it out after finalizing and played it back successfully using a playback dvd player patched into the DVD recorder.

Sima products used to be able to "defeat" Macrovision. Are they "any good" with CopyGard?

Sima products used to be able to "defeat" Macrovision. Are they "any good" with CopyGard?

Just search "Sima" on this forum, and you'll get all the info you need. :D

Sima products used to be able to "defeat" Macrovision. Are they "any good" with CopyGard?
sima no longer markets any 'enhancers', at least in this country. check ebay. they will work if you can find one. i believe use of them is now illegal is usa.