Hello, I recently purchased a new LG DVD recorder/VHS recorder. I use the DVD portion to record programs on Directv. Every time I try to record a movie off of a channel like HBO, Cinemax, etc I get a message that says "Cannot record this program" or something like that. It looks just like a copy guard message of some sort. I have an older Panasonic DVD recorder that has no trouble recording the movies from the movie channels. The only problem with it is, it is getting old and not very reliable anymore. What I am wondering is, has anyone purchased a new DVD recorder recently? If so, do you have any trouble recording movies on the movie channels? I am trying to find one that will work for me to replace the LG model I recently purchased. Any advice (Make, model number, etc) would be appreciated. It is really frustrating to want to record a movie and not be able to! Thank you very in advance for your help. Have a nice day.

I would think all newer DVD recorders would observe CP. Not really sure why your old Panny is letting you record the movie channels. I've heard many complaints of people trying to record from HBO etc. and getting the "cannot record program" message.
I would suggest you purchase a "filter" of some type to remove the CP. I've read Worldimport.com sells several models. I'm guessing they will be somewhere north of $100.
Checkout this thread for lots of talk about filters.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=704101&page=4

My older Panny and Sony units don't have any problem. That seems to be the norm with the older units according to others here who have them. I think they have to actually build in the circuitry to make it "pick up" the CP.

(By the way, the Sony RDR-HX900 is REAL old now - it would have to be. They were among the first to really start having the issue. Then came the Toshiba's.)

Maybe that's the way it is for CP of the movie channels, but I know none of my Panny DVDR's(going back to the 4yr old es-30) will copy a commercial DVD or VHS, without my Sima ct-2. It must be a different CP on the movie channels that only then newer DVDR's lock onto. Sounds like progress eh?

My older Panny and Sony units don't have any problem. That seems to be the norm with the older units according to others here who have them. I think they have to actually build in the circuitry to make it "pick up" the CP.

(By the way, the Sony RDR-HX900 is REAL old now - it would have to be. They were among the first to really start having the issue. Then came the Toshiba's.)

Yes Sony seemed to be first and then Toshiba. But to add something interesting as it relates to Toshiba. I would pick up CP warnings with Toshiba when I was a cable subscriber. I have recently moved to Dish and I am now able to record with a Toshiba RD-XS55 (circa 2006) all premium channels with no CP alert. So some of this may be source related.

I do not have any movie channels. However the Panasonic EZ17 manual states that using DVD-RAM allows "Recording broadcasts that allow one copy (CPRM)". Would that help in your situation?

i have a Magnavox recorder my wife bought me for Christmas. I have Directv and so far i have been able to record from several premium movie channels and a couple of the UFC ppv's. I haven't had any problems yet, but i may in the future. Plus the really cool thing it was only $50!

Maybe that's the way it is for CP of the movie channels, but I know none of my Panny DVDR's(going back to the 4yr old es-30) will copy a commercial DVD or VHS, without my Sima ct-2. It must be a different CP on the movie channels that only then newer DVDR's lock onto. Sounds like progress eh?Both of my units that I'm referring to I believe are considerably older - they're the Panny EH85 and the Sony RDR-HX900. But yeah, I was referring to the CP - none of my older or newer ones will copy a DVD without a "filter". None of the major brands ever would.

I don't know if they use different encryption methods for each, but I know that the filters' ads state that they will work on everything.

So some of this may be source related.I also have Dish (SD), and I don't normally subscribe to any premium movie channels, but whenever they have their free previews, I never have any problems with any of my recorders, even the newer EH75V.

TOshiba DR400 does the job. but it doesnt have Digitial inputs for Audio... and I have it connected thru time warner and its letting me back up my dvr programs and also record live hbo programs.

Hello, I recently purchased a new LG DVD recorder/VHS recorder. I use the DVD portion to record programs on Directv. Every time I try to record a movie off of a channel like HBO, Cinemax, etc I get a message that says "Cannot record this program" or something like that. It looks just like a copy guard message of some sort. I have an older Panasonic DVD recorder that has no trouble recording the movies from the movie channels. The only problem with it is, it is getting old and not very reliable anymore. What I am wondering is, has anyone purchased a new DVD recorder recently? If so, do you have any trouble recording movies on the movie channels? I am trying to find one that will work for me to replace the LG model I recently purchased. Any advice (Make, model number, etc) would be appreciated. It is really frustrating to want to record a movie and not be able to! Thank you very in advance for your help. Have a nice day.

try firebird-systems.com, they got all kinds of 'filters'.

i use sima ct-2s which work on everything (except hdm), but sima no longer markets them in usa. afaik.

Heya.
I had same problem with some units ESPECIALLY the LGs.
Stay away from them at all costs. Their customer service said today
that NO DVD recorder can record off a cable signal if its Hbo, C-Max, you know the good channels!

Well I just picked up a Toshiba D-R 400 at C City (119.00) and proved the nasty woman I spoke too wrong.

No tuner but it works flawless on ALL the "good channels" so I suggest you try that one.

Also to my total surpirse, it has chasing playback on a -RW disc!!! (VR mode)

I couldnt believe this; I thought only the RAM discs did this like my old Panny 15 unit. This is really cool as those -RW are really cheap.

Also the 400 can record and play simultaneously on the -RW as well.
Very cool too.

The GUI is identical to Philips.

Hope this helps. :)

I tried to read what the law was and I am pretty sure you are allowed to copy once programs but from what I have read some dvd recorders have problems implementing the copy protection and won't copy anything and some will. My dad bought a cheap Phillips recorder and it wouldn't copy anything past channell 53, but my old Pansonic copys anything. But I was able to find him a cheap newer Panasonic that copied the movie channells. IMO it is really just a waste to get a dvd recorder if you can't copy anything once. I mean with our VCR we can do that.

But I was able to find him a cheap newer Panasonic that copied the movie channells. IMO it is really just a waste to get a dvd recorder if you can't copy anything once. I mean with our VCR we can do that.

What model Panasonic did you get for your Dad? Does he have cable or satellite? Most of these CP issues seem related to the provider. I have a EZ17 on order and am curious as to whether I'll be able to record anything worthwhile on my Cox cable.

From reading the issues the others have been facing, i think by far the best model that can record any signal except HD( I dont have a HD receiver)..

Well yes it doesnt have a digital tuner, probably thats wat makes it work with premium channels. here are couple of things which you shud remember when buying this recorder:

1. works well with the output coming in from DVRs / Satellite receivers, but u will be unable to change channels while it is recording

2. most movies are 2hrs ++, u may lose the quality of the picture on a LP (4hr) recording. XP is 1 hr, SP is 2hrs 3 minutes exactly. so u will have to burn on 3 discs for superior quality or 2 for SP quality (if anyone has a workaround for fitting the content exactly into the disc, do share them)

3. there is no commercial skip option, instead you can delete chapters that too only on RW discs.

4. Do not expect a fancy title menu, it is a plain text with edit option.

5. No component input, but works with standard yellow, red, white a/v inputs and S-Video inputs. Has 2 line ins which is good. Has a DV input which comes handy with camcorders

This unit can also upscale (though i havent used it as i dont have a hd unit).. and has a HDMI out for video...

Overall a good unit, too bad i paid $156 cple of months before for a unit which is sold at $99 in most places now. If someone has costco membership, you can pick up the twin version Toshiba KR10 for $120 or so which includes HDMI cables...

I would say go for this unit, you always can return within the first few days if it doesnt work with ur cable provider.