DStv recording (without a PVR) not allowed: MultiChoice

Recording TV shows for later viewing has been considered fair use since the introduction of VCR's but you do sign a contract when you subscribe to DSTV. So, whatever the contract stipulates is what you are bound by regardless of the law. The real question is, what can DSTV do about the private recording and viewing of their content? If it's not done commercially there's no way they'll ever even know.

The real advantage to their HDPVR is the ability to record a show while you watch another. Someone with a single view sd decoder using a third party recording device isn't really gaining anything we've all been doing for decades. If someone were to have an extra-view setup that allows them to record one show and watch another they'd be paying the extra R65 a month the HDPVR owner pays anyway. I really see no reason why Multichoice would try to enforce their recording T&C's anyway.

This is a bit of a non-issue MyBB.
 
I have to say that I do not regret purchasing the HDPVR as I don't even have to remember when a certain series is playing and I'm able to just switch to the On-Demand and have access to it at my convenience. It is pricey but at least everyone in the house has the opportunity to watch what they want when they want to.
If we could only save certain recordings externally just to conserve space.
 
If you have one of the older decoders up to the 1110 I think, you can still record to your DVD recorder. Only the decoders after this, including PVR decoders have blocked this feature.
 
IRVING said:
I have to say that I do not regret purchasing the HDPVR as I don't even have to remember when a certain series is playing and I'm able to just switch to the On-Demand and have access to it at my convenience. It is pricey but at least everyone in the house has the opportunity to watch what they want when they want to.
If we could only save certain recordings externally just to conserve space.
Click to expand...
ON demand is slightly different in that DSTV chooses what you can demand.

What you're referring to is your recordings list
 
The "Law" is an Ass !

One wonders then WHY these devices have things like USB ports etc etc ???? ( which are inoperable )

Perhaps a case could be made for entrapment.
ie. WHY did Multichoice allow such "services" to be built into the device if there was no intention of their being used ( and why should one not try to use them -- you have paid for them after all ) ?

I would suggest that the so called contract one is forced to sign with DStv would not hold up in a court of law.

I strongly suggest that if MyBB want to air such articles they get the PROFESSIONAL opinion of a SERIOUS advocate

( Of course it could cost some MONEY ! )
 
Just another to bypass Multichoice completely and get your entertainment from another source.
 
albert123 said:
I would love to see you download the amount of tv the average household watch, through the internet, for 'cheaper' and with less hassles....
Click to expand...

I, er, I mean "a friend" does that all the time. AND he only has a 1 meg line. Not even proper uncapped either.
 
Let's put this into perspective. What they're trying to say is, it's perfectly ok to record these tv shows etc., BUT only if you use THEIR device to make that recording. No. Sorry. You can't have your cake and eat it. Either it's ok to record or it's not. You can't make it half-ok.
Cos in that case I'll just complain with my wallet by cancelling my DSTV subscription. (already done, 2 years ago. Saving me a fortune. I can spend more on Internet costs and still come out ahead).

Also, it's important to note that this isn't an isolated situation. The same system's in place all over the world. How effective is it? Well, maybe we should be asking, "How easy is it to get hold of "pirated" content?" I think the second question answers the first. These companies will never learn, but that's ok, let them go out of business. The quality of independent content is improving all the time. (The Guild being a perfect example.)
 
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stfu monochoice :mad:

A couple of months I gave dstv the royal finger and told them to improve service, or gtfo :)

Havent looked back, and I have all the "PVR" content I could ever wish for now AND an extra 600 bucks a month to put into savings
 
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DSTv PVR's are Cr#P

:mad:I'm on an exhange unit (R499) repalcing a 2*record :cry:and it's performing just like the original, freezes, 10 min late in auto tuning etc.
I see the new PVR's allow only one channel to be recorded whilst watching another. Why don't DSTv source from the makers of the SKyBox which is virtually trouble free. To long time subcribers Sky give it away FREE.:confused:
 
badtrev said:
If you have one of the older decoders up to the 1110 I think, you can still record to your DVD recorder. Only the decoders after this, including PVR decoders have blocked this feature.
Click to expand...

Wrong.
MonoChoice unleashed a software update in mid 2010 that locked out all DVD recorders. I managed to find a hack last year. Google is your friend
 
bond007 said:
Please tell me why?? Why can we not use work-arounds? the way i see it i purchased the PVR making it mine... so i can do whatever i want to it.. its no longer DSTV's property.
Click to expand...

My opinion too! If Multichoice retained ownership of their devices i.e. leasing them to you or, as many providers overseas do, 'loan' you a free decoder then I can understand that they can dictate what you may or may not use them for. Also, as I own the device, (having paid for it) I fail to see how they can justify dictating to me how I modify the device to suit my needs!
 
Koosi said:
Wrong.
MonoChoice unleashed a software update in mid 2010 that locked out all DVD recorders. I managed to find a hack last year. Google is your friend
Click to expand...

Wrong, I can still record with no hack needed.
 
albert123 said:
I would love to see you download the amount of tv the average household watch, through the internet, for 'cheaper' and with less hassles....
Click to expand...

Cheaper? No, not really by much... at least for 4 mbps. But....

1) Better Quality / HD quality = Yes
2) No Commercials = Yes
3) Wider Selection = Yes
4) Keep up with the USA Schedule = Yes, well maybe one day later! :p
5) Encryption/DRM = None
6) Portability = Yes, can watch on multiple devices.
7) Hassle Factor = Very little, you load up your downloads at night and they are there in the morning.
 
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Step 7 can be made easier with showrss. There is no need to hunt down the shows any more, just list them and import the RSS into your torrent downloading app. I have seen a fully automated systems with this and TVRename.
 
Garyvdh said:
Cheaper? No, not really by much... at least for 4 mbps. But....

1) Better Quality / HD quality = Yes
2) No Commercials = Yes
3) Wider Selection = Yes
4) Keep up with the USA Schedule = Yes, well maybe one day later! :p
5) Encryption/DRM = None
6) Portability = Yes, can watch on multiple devices.
7) Hassle Factor = Very little, you load up your downloads at night and they are there in the morning.
Click to expand...

BBotha said:
Step 7 can be made easier with showrss. There is no need to hunt down the shows any more, just list them and import the RSS into your torrent downloading app. I have seen a fully automated systems with this and TVRename.
Click to expand...

Seriously, my er friend, has the whole thing automated. New episodes download every weekend (but could download as soon as they're out if he had proper uncapped), they get automatically moved into the right folders, episode names and cover art applied, and added to the XBMC database. All he needs to do is add the show to his downloading app (flexget), and to the sorting / indexing app (Sickbeard); which gets done once.
Even PVR isn't that easy.
Oh, did I mention it also tells you when new eps are airing as well as when new seasons are starting etc.?
 
b@nD said:
One wonders then WHY these devices have things like USB ports etc etc ???? ( which are inoperable )

Perhaps a case could be made for entrapment.
ie. WHY did Multichoice allow such "services" to be built into the device if there was no intention of their being used ( and why should one not try to use them -- you have paid for them after all ) ?

I would suggest that the so called contract one is forced to sign with DStv would not hold up in a court of law.

I strongly suggest that if MyBB want to air such articles they get the PROFESSIONAL opinion of a SERIOUS advocate

( Of course it could cost some MONEY ! )
Click to expand...

Cos DSTV buy standard model PVRs, they don't design them, they buy available models, it would cost more for a special model to be manufactured without those connections
 
Why recording it in the first place, they keep repeating it so many times, its almost impossible to NOT watch it.
 
badtrev said:
Wrong, I can still record with no hack needed.
Click to expand...

a few slipped through the cracks. I cant know of every damn recorder.

mine stopped working... and the way I got it to record again was by building a stripper to remove drm signals
 
I download far more than I can watch.... way cheaper than DSTV.

Also I have since found a lot of perfectly legal content that isn't even aired on DSTV.
 
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