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Author
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Topic: Attack on "Time-shifting"?
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Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3118
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 02-09-2006 08:33 PM
  
On Wednesday evening I set my DVD recorder to record a programme about preparations for last year's Space Shuttle "return to flight" mission. It was on the Discovery Science channel at 2.00am (transmitted via Sky satellite). When I went to view the programme today, I found it had not recorded. I quickly established that the recorder was working perfectly, but for some reason could not record ANY of the Discovery channels. (No problem with any other channels I tested.)Can anyone explain this? Does the Discovery channel deliberately block attempts to record their programmes? If so, and bearing in mind that I pay a monthly subscription to be able to view satellite channels, including Discovery, why should I not be able to "time-shift" and watch a late-night programme at a more convenient time the next day? Is this a crude attempt to impose digital handcuffs on our viewing habits? |
Astro Bill
Member Posts: 1329
From: New York, NY
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 02-09-2006 10:31 PM
Blackarrow:I found your posting very interesting. I have in the past tried to record the Discovery Channel and the Science Channel while I was not at home. It did not work. I attributed this malfunction to my lack of ability to know how to use a VCR properly. I cannot imagine that it is possible for one cable channel to somehow prevent someone from recording their programs. If it is possible, there should be some warning on the screen such as "Do not copy." Have you tried to record the Discovery Channel while you are actually viewing the program? I do not think that it is possible for the Discovery Channel to do this. However, they do have a very large library of programs on both VCR tapes and DVD's that are for sale. The History Channel, National Geographic Channel, and PBS Channels also have extensive programs for sale. Have you had any difficulty recording any of these? [] |
spacecraft films
Member Posts: 802
From: Columbus, OH USA
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 02-10-2006 10:15 AM
If you are using a digital medium there are ways to prevent recording of programming. I'm not sure that it is the case here, or that any broadcast/satellite distributor does this, but it is certainly possible, since the signal is digital and the recorder is attempting to record a digital copy. It's the same as if you try and copy a DVD to a digital tape format. The machine won't go into record.I suspect if you were recording to a "Tivo" or other DVR, rather than a DVD, it would record with no problems. I have no problems recording Discovery material on DVRs. Mark [This message has been edited by spacecraft films (edited February 10, 2006).] |
mmmoo
Member Posts: 551
From: London, England
Registered: May 2001
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posted 02-10-2006 12:11 PM
I have recorded The Discovery Channel several times to DVD from Sky Satellite with no problems.However, I do have problems with recording programs in general when using the timer on a dvd recorder. Sometimes if you record a lot of programs, or one long program on one disc using the timer, the disc shows as 'blank' when you try and watch it. I think it is because it takes so long to finalise the disk. That the timer turns off the recording before the disk has been fully finalised. Thus all the data is on the disk, but with a corrupt table of contents, your player cant access the programs. I tried only using the timer for short programs (one hour or less) with no other programs on the disk, and it works fine! Mike Constantine
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Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3118
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 02-10-2006 01:22 PM
Thanks for the interesting replies. In answer to Astro Bill, after my failed attempt to record via the timer, I tried manually while watching a "Discovery Science" programme on Thursday evening. It wouldn't record. A message on screen said something like: "Cannot record this source." I then tried to fool the machine by setting it to record Line 3 (the satellite input) while watching Sky News. No problem. Then I began to switch satellite channels. When I changed to Discovery Science, recording stopped immediately. Every attempt to record manually produced the "cannot record this source" message.Mark, I take your point about copyright, but since every TV broadcast is copyright, recording anything to watch later must be illegal. If we complied with the letter of the law, you could neither sell or buy a video recorder or a DVD recorder. What makes Discovery think they're superior to other broadcasters? I repeat, I pay a subscription to watch their ptogrammes. Why shouldn't I be able to choose WHEN I watch them? Whatever next? Turning the volume up during commercial breaks? (No, surely not!) |
spacecraft films
Member Posts: 802
From: Columbus, OH USA
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 02-10-2006 01:25 PM
My point on copyright was that if they posess the technology to prevent recording, they can use it if they want. They may make viewers mad, such as yourself in this matter, but it's their signal and if they want to operate in that manner then that's their perogative.You are under normal circumstances permitted "fair use" which is the legal ability to record for your own use in your own home. But if the copyright owner has a way to block certain recording through technology they can. The market then decides if this is acceptable to people who want to pay the subscription fee. In an effort to pass along something constructive, you may have a certain type player that has the circuitry that prevents certain of these protected souces from being recorded, and Mike's recorder may not. I wonder what model Mike might be using? Remember that some hardware manufacturers also own motion picture studios, and these are the most likely to contain restrictive circuitry against recording. Mark [This message has been edited by spacecraft films (edited February 10, 2006).] [This message has been edited by spacecraft films (edited February 10, 2006).] [This message has been edited by spacecraft films (edited February 10, 2006).] |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3118
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 02-12-2006 02:32 PM
Mark,
I take your point, but I can't help thinking it's the thin end of the wedge, and if broadcasters increasingly block time-shifting, the whole concept of video/DVD recording will be in doubt. My DVD recorder is a Sony, if that makes any difference. |
spacecraft films
Member Posts: 802
From: Columbus, OH USA
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 02-12-2006 03:40 PM
Sony owns Sony Pictures, which used to be/still is Columbia/Tri-Star Pictures, which is a good example of what I was saying upthread.Mark
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