DVD recorders / copyright protection / HBO, Encore, Cinemax, etc.?

Question

I went to Fry's today looking for a DVD recorder and I walked out with a Sony GX355, then came home and read the online reviews. They claim this recorder won't record HBO or other premium channels because of Sony's copyright protection. Further stating that Sony has gone overboard in their built in protection. I haven't even opened the box and I am going to take it back tomorrow.

Is there a recorder that will let me record anything coming through my Comcast Digital controller? If not, is there a recorder and stabalizer combo that will allow this?

I am not really interested in making copies of purchased DVD's but I do want the capability of recording anything that I am paying for through Comcast.

Answer 1

Sony is notorious for that, but it's not all Sony's fault.  Some broadcasts actually have something in them when they're transmitted that prevents you from copying them.

I have a Panasonic DVD recorder, and it's hooked up through my Comcast box.  I've found that by recording the program to my DVR (which I have through Comcast) and then copying them from the DVR, I don't have that problem.

If you don't have a DVR with your service, you may want to buy a DVD recorder with a hard drive and see if that works for you.