Recorded tv getting auto deleted?... why!?

Question

it seems some shows i have taped, to watch by myself at a future date!, have been getting deleted off my pc. Is this some sort of time frame option?, can i change this setting?, or is there at least a way of recovering these shows?..

Answer 1

Sounds like DRM (Digital Rights Management) is expiring your content.  Without knowing more about the DVR software and the video content, it is hard to say that with high accuracy though.

Microsoft Media Center is very supported of DRM.  You can find many articles talking about the "Broadcast Flag" that content providers and the FCC pushed, but the courts stopped.  Unfortunately for consumers, Microsoft does support the non-required broadcast flag.

Additional information from the Microsoft Windows Media DRM FAQ:

"3.3  Does Windows Media DRM support time-limited playback of digital media files?

Yes. Licenses to play digital media files can specify start times, end times, and license duration limits. If customers with an expired license try to access a digital media file, they are directed back to the hosting Web site for another license. In Windows Media DRM, both start and expiration dates are supported, which creates great flexibility. For example, a digital media file could be distributed with a license that disables playback until the intended release date."

Content providers have long hated the ability for VCRs to "time shift" content.  With some DVRs (like Microsoft Media Center and I believe TIVO...not 100% sure though as I don't own one), the content providers now have the ability to control what you do with the content (i.e. no time shift, limited number of views, expire content on date, etc...).

As for changing the setting, it sounds like Microsoft Media Center is checking against a content license server online.  I don't think you'll find it easy to circumvent the system (and you may legally be unable to based on the Microsoft license).  You may want to look at MythTV to see if that is a better option.  I haven't tried it yet myself, but on some of the forums I tend to read, I see it suggested as an open source alternative to TIVO (and Microsoft Media Center).