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New Contributor
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Recording to VCR
I can no longer record certain channels to my VCR. Did something change? I like to record a few programs to watch them later. A few months ago, programs started not recording clearly. I thought my VCR was broken. I researched and spent money on a new VCR/DVD player. Wasted hours and hours reading the manual, setting up the VCR in various configurations only to realize it was not a problem with the VCR. I can record say Fox channel 1008 with no problems but cannot record from E 1048 or from On Demand. I don't watch much TV so I can't always watch On Demand shows before they expire plus some won't let you fast forward and if you stop and go back they sometimes start from the beginning again so I prefer to tape them and watch later on my own time. What's suddenly going on with being able to record shows?
Mesa_mike
New Contributor
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I don't think one can record an On Demand program using a timer function. You have to pick the streaming file you want to record using the menus on the converter, then press the Record button. Then you can turn the TV off. The converter has to remain on to feed the signal to the VCR.
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Cat_Smith
New Contributor
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Thanks for the response. I usually do use the Record button and not the timer function and then leave the cable box on. I used to be able to watch half a show and then use the Record button to record the rest of it to watch later, but this no longer works except for a few basic channels. The picture records but it is distorted.
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AllenP
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Valued Contributor
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Sounds like you may be caught up in DRM / copy protection.
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Cat_Smith
New Contributor
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Possibly. I'm wondering why it happened without warning after years of time shifting without a problem to VHS tapes. Did it happen to other Cox users? Can I get around it? I'm already paying almost $200 per month for Cox services so I really hate to fork over any more for DVR services if there is any other way I can time shift. Thanks.
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Mesa_mike
New Contributor
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Cat:
Years ago, Cox did support VCR timer recording, but it's all gone now in favor of DVRs.
As to your problem: to see what happens when I try to record a running On Demand streaming file, I turned my machine on, made sure the VCR was "seeing" the same output as the TV by alternating pressing the TV/VCR button. It was, so I hit the Record button. It worked fine.
It might be a hassle, but I might suggest you "time-shift " the original broadcast of any show you want to view later, rather than try to record the On Demand version. Probably have to do some "Guide" searching for broadcast times & channels. Hope this helps. Good luck!
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Cat_Smith
New Contributor
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Thanks again for the response.
Unfortunately, it isn’t just a problem with On Demand. It’s a problem on some other channels, too. I started watching a mindless reality show on E Entertainment. I was going to tape the ending to watch later only to discover that I couldn’t tape it (okay probably not a great loss there). Also, not all shows on On Demand are on regular cable.
It does sound like it’s some copy protection issue but it’s strange that it started all of a sudden after years of being able to tape. I guess I’ll just have to get used to only taping the few remaining shows that I can and eventually have to bite the bullet and pay for DVR or TiVo.
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