I don't know much about thread after thread (I don't doubt it though), but I called and talked to the 'replay guys' and they told me without question files could be transfered to a pc and they would be in MPEG2 format; the catch was they couldn't be transfered back to the replay device.
I won't argue as to if this should be acceptable or not, but verbal representation of the product by the manufacturer counts just as much as a written specification...
I even asked the guy specifically about copyright issues, and he said "people use VCRs to record shows now, we can't be responsible for that". He indicated there was no plan to allow files to be transfered back to the replay device in future releases / products.
Based on my conversation, which took place last week btw, any information that contradicts their verbals claims shows they either have either not decided what features the released product will have, or they have not clearly made their employees aware of what features the product will have. I'll call again tomorrow.
Personally, I was amazed that feature existed as it was described. I would think an encrypted file that could only be played back on a replay unit, but could be transfered bi-directionally, would be a usefull product, and address copyright issues better. But hey, I don't know their business, just my wants...