[sx600]

I would like to buy a Pioneer DVR-640H-S. Looking through these threads I now find out that this will not allow me to record some shows from channels like HBO or Showtime to the hdd then to a DVD due to some form of copy protection. Am I wrong about this? Maybe I need to go to an older model like the Pioneer DVR-520H, or does this recorder do this also? I would really like to get a Pioneer for various reasons. I have looked at some older Pioneers but I don't want them because of the TV Guide issues. I won't use the TV Guide anyhow. I have a Dish network DVR that I will use to pass the signal through to the recorder. If some channels are doing this now, I think in the future there will be many more and I don't want to buy something that I will not be able to use later on. Sorry this is so long. Thanks in advance for the help.

sx600

 

[Logic Design]

What you need is a Video FIlter


Write me a personal message and will tell you where to get one.

 

[HealeyGuy]

FYI, all the Pioneer DVD recorders have CPRM. In fact, my understanding is this is true of all standalone DVD recorders regardless of brand. CPRM means you can record copy-once programs but you cannot then make a copy of those recordings. With my Pioneer DVR-510H CPRM-protected programs can only be recorded to VR-mode DVD-RW or onto the HDD. That said, I've never encountered a CPRM-protected program, probably because I don't subscribe to HBO.


Actually, this is no big deal. You don't need more than one copy any way and as long as you use a DVD-RW disc you can add the program to your library to watch later.

 

[ngohit]

I get HBO and the Starz/ENcore packages from DirecTV. I have never had a problem making copies of programs recorded from these stations on my 520H or 531H. I have only had my 640H a short time, but I have made copies of a few things from some of these stations.

 

[Bill1313]

I thought the biggest problem people were having was with "Record Never" programs that are things like Pay-Per-View, Special Events & On-Demand Programs & that all depends on wether each Cable Company or Sat Company has put it in their transmissions.


But if they haven't I'm sure more of them will in the future & I won't be surprised if

ESPN, CATV, SAT TV & even Broadcast TV "Special Events" & etc will have "Copy Never" or "Copy Once" signals used in them in the future.

 

[sx600]

What would be a good recorder with a hard drive? I like what I have read about the Pioneers. I will not be able to use a TV Guide so that is something I don't need. I need a hard drive to do editing of recorded shows and some other tapes I have shot with my video cameras.

 

[rgazzara]



Quote:
Originally Posted by HealeyGuy /forum/post/0


FYI, all the Pioneer DVD recorders have CPRM. In fact, my understanding is this is true of all standalone DVD recorders regardless of brand. CPRM means you can record copy-once programs but you cannot then make a copy of those recordings. With my Pioneer DVR-510H CPRM-protected programs can only be recorded to VR-mode DVD-RW or onto the HDD. That said, I've never encountered a CPRM-protected program, probably because I don't subscribe to HBO.


Actually, this is no big deal. You don't need more than one copy any way and as long as you use a DVD-RW disc you can add the program to your library to watch later.

Copy-once programs can be copied from the HDD to a CPRM-compliant disc in VR mode (e.g., DVD-RAM), but the program is then deleted from the HDD.

 

[Oldemanphil]



Quote:
FYI, all the Pioneer DVD recorders have CPRM. In fact, my understanding is this is true of all standalone DVD recorders regardless of brand. CPRM means you can record copy-once programs but you cannot then make a copy of those recordings.

HealeyGuy



The above quote is correct of course..


In my experience, the Pioneers do not have "false" postive copy protection issues like the Toshibas and Sonys that I have tried. I can also attest to the fact that the Pioneer will not record a copy "never" flagged program.


When the media forces tighten up/crack down on cable/sat providers, there will be a increased business in offshore "videooo filters". I think the success of the DVR ( the elephant in the room) is a major delaying factor in this process. I suspect (have no proof) that the DVD recorder manufactors have already been warned that after xx/xx/xx date a HDD recorder will be useless in the USA.


Timeshift while you still can...

 

[Logic Design]

There has been a solution for this potential "Copy Never, Copy Once" problem with providers. There is only really one unit called Video Filter. It allows you to set the CGMS and the aspect ratio connands. It's been well documented here.

 

[HealeyGuy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Oldemanphil /forum/post/0


When the media forces tighten up/crack down on cable/sat providers, there will be a increased business in offshore "videooo filters". I think the success of the DVR ( the elephant in the room) is a major delaying factor in this process. I suspect (have no proof) that the DVD recorder manufactors have already been warned that after xx/xx/xx date a HDD recorder will be useless in the USA.


Timeshift while you still can...

I concur, although I'm not as skeptical that we'll be prevented from recording to a DVD recorder's HDD. There's so few of these machines in the marketplace that it isn't worthwhile to interfere with the analog-to-digital copying.


My sense is the standalone DVD recorder will cease to exist within a couple years. The home theater PC systems will take their place because of greater user flexibility, Hi-Def capability, better profitability, and the tighter control media providers can have over copying and distribution of the content. (They will know if you have made the recording because your computer will upload that info to them). Most consumers won't bother with those systems, though, because a leased DVR meets most of their TV-watching needs.

 

[Rammitinski]



Quote:
Originally Posted by HealeyGuy /forum/post/0


I concur, although I'm not as skeptical that we'll be prevented from recording to a DVD recorder's HDD. There's so few of these machines in the marketplace that it isn't worthwhile to interfere with the analog-to-digital copying.


My sense is the standalone DVD recorder will cease to exist within a couple years. The home theater PC systems will take their place because of greater user flexibility, Hi-Def capability, better profitability, and the tighter control media providers can have over copying and distribution of the content. (They will know if you have made the recording because your computer will upload that info to them). Most consumers won't bother with those systems, though, because a leased DVR meets most of their TV-watching needs.

Gee, maybe VCR's will make a comeback

.

 

[CCRomeo]

Hay I may be OK; I have 4 DVD Recorders, 4 VCRs and 2 DVRs, Dimax Grex and Sima CT-200


almost forgot: 1 dual deck VCR, 6 DVD Players

 

[HealeyGuy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by CCRomeo /forum/post/0


Hay I may be OK; I have 4 DVD Recorders, 4 VCRs and 2 DVRs, Dimax Grex and Sima CT-200

Gee, haven't you ever heard of Goodwill? I may have some stuff in the spare room if you're looking to add to your collection.

 

[Oldemanphil]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Rammitinski /forum/post/0


Gee, maybe VCR's will make a comeback

.

I am keeping a couple of S-vhs models in storage

 

[TommyO]

LOL.... I still have my ole' faithful Panasonic S-VHS VCR's too; one is stashed away in the closet, and the other one is connected to the tv....and still works good.

 

[ngohit]



Quote:
Originally Posted by TommyO /forum/post/0


LOL.... I still have my ole' faithful Panasonic S-VHS VCR's too; one is stashed away in the closet, and the other one is connected to the tv....and still works good.

Ha ha ha. I still have a Hi-Fi Betamax. There are some tapes I want to copy to DVD before packing it up and sticking it in the attic.


My VCRs are Panasonic, too, but none are S-VHS. Before I got my first DVD recorder, I did not see a need for an S-Video connection. Now I am wondering if I should try to pick one up to improve the video quality of recordings to my 520H or 640H HDD [from commercial tapes that have not been released to DVD in their full, unedited versions].

 

[HealeyGuy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ngohit /forum/post/0


Ha ha ha. I still have a Hi-Fi Betamax. There are some tapes I want to copy to DVD before packing it up and sticking it in the attic.


My VCRs are Panasonic, too, but none are S-VHS. Before I got my first DVD recorder, I did not see a need for an S-Video connection. Now I am wondering if I should try to pick one up to improve the video quality of recordings to my 520H or 640H HDD [from commercial tapes that have not been released to DVD in their full, unedited versions].

Those Hi-Fi Betamaxes still get a good price on eBay.


Don't bother getting an S-VHS deck for transferring the tapes. You won't see any improvement from the commercial tapes when transferring. You will, however, have a problem with the Pioneer recorders not accepting videos with Macrovision unless you use some kind of filter to stabilize the video.

 

[ngohit]



Quote:
Originally Posted by HealeyGuy /forum/post/0


Those Hi-Fi Betamaxes still get a good price on eBay.


Don't bother getting an S-VHS deck for transferring the tapes. You won't see any improvement from the commercial tapes when transferring. You will, however, have a problem with the Pioneer recorders not accepting videos with Macrovision unless you use some kind of filter to stabilize the video.

About a year ago I checked prices for the Hi-Fi Betamaxes (Yes, I have 2) on eBay and gagged. One of my friends wants to start selling things on eBay rather than cart them to thrift shops (where other people go to then resell on eBay). When she has been selling for a while and has established good feedback, I shall have her list one of the machines. I, myself, have zero interest selling on eBay; I am purely a buyer.


I have a Sima I have used to copy some tapes and intend to order a Dimax, which someone here recommended. Besides these two, the only other one I am aware of was likewise mentioned by someone in this forum:

http://checkhere22.com/stabilizer/


Do you, or does anyone, know of a site where people discuss the pros and cons of the various stabilizers? I know this is not the place.

 

[Artik2]

How much is the cost of that recorder?

 

[HealeyGuy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Artik2 /forum/post/0


How much is the cost of that recorder?

What recorder are you asking about?