Macrovision blocking recording from TopTV?

ajax said:
Very innovative there, Magicflame!
I suppose the only downside is the extra "link" in the chain, hopefully the MNET decoder isn't power hungry, and the possibly reduced picture quality compared to directly using the composite out.
But certainly the best low cost solution thus far! :)
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Agreed Ajax, I'm not too happy about adding yet another part of kit to the chain myself, but to be honest, the difference is so small that I need to compare it side by side to see it. I will henceforth be using this technique for time-shifting and recording stuff I want to watch later and use the PC (through "fly 2000 TV") to record stuff I want to archive. (not that I would do the latter - highly illegal and all that!)
 
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I have a LG RH3690 and it won't record, but the S-video output is connected to my Windows 7 tv tuner and recording is possible with media center.
 
TopTV RF ==> MNET Video-out didn't get rid of the protection

Magicflame said:
Just tried a different tack.... I tried an old m-net decoder in the same configuration and it works. Proper recording to HDD in stereo! Timeshifting is also OK, so I'm a happy camper for no money spent.
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Didn't work for me to my Philips DVDR3370H HDD recorder :(
#TopTV is painful now - please turn OFF this anti-taping, I want to go out & record a program to my HDD recorder #FFS :mad: :cry: :wtf: :( :sick:
 
HandyTechTipper said:
Didn't work for me to my Philips DVDR3370H HDD recorder :(
#TopTV is painful now - please turn OFF this anti-taping, I want to go out & record a program to my HDD recorder #FFS :mad: :cry: :wtf: :( :sick:
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This feature will not be discarded, in lieu of the fact that they will want peeps to buy their pvr come end of the year...pity though.

I tried through my old MNET decoder too and it didn't work either...damn.
 
acidb said:
This feature will not be discarded, in lieu of the fact that they will want peeps to buy their pvr come end of the year...pity though.

I tried through my old MNET decoder too and it didn't work either...damn.
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:mad: :cry: Well then... well then... (thinking again now) maybe DSTV is the way to go then? Their price have come down to the "reasonable" galaxy now ;)

Anyone know if you can record the DSTV programs to an external HDD recorder for later viewing?
 
HandyTechTipper said:
:mad: :cry: Well then... well then... (thinking again now) maybe DSTV is the way to go then? Their price have come down to the "reasonable" galaxy now ;)

Anyone know if you can record the DSTV programs to an external HDD recorder for later viewing?
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But then again why incorporate the USB on the decoder itself?

DStv will implementing Macrovision on their channels soon too, but for now you can use an HTPC setup with a capture card if I'm not mistaken, I have the DStv PVR, so never needed to try other ways around it.
 
DStv have copy protection on their HD and 1xxx series decoders already, but it is CGMA, so you should be able to make one copy onto an external HDD recorder, unlike TopTV which just will not let you record to anything.
 
KromozIII said:
DStv have copy protection on their HD and 1xxx series decoders already, but it is CGMA, so you should be able to make one copy onto an external HDD recorder, unlike TopTV which just will not let you record to anything.
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Didn't know that,thanks for pointing it out.
 
Tried with my old pc
Decoder>old VHS RF in, AV out to pc. Works 100%
 
DSTV records and timeshifts just fine on my standalone recorder - LG RH7823W, TopTV does not, hence my great odyssey to find another way.
 
Good on you Astro, I'm rather kicking my backside over that old VHS I threw away just the other day; was thinking I could have ripped the insides out and built a neat little box for it. Damn!
 
TopTV RF out to RF in on an old VHS or Mnet decoder then use AV out for the picture (on VHS) or RF out on Mnet decoder.
use a av to stereo plug cable for the sound.

Seems to be what works for most.
 
Magicflame said:
Good on you Astro, I'm rather kicking my backside over that old VHS I threw away just the other day; was thinking I could have ripped the insides out and built a neat little box for it. Damn!
Click to expand...

If you are around Pretoria I have an old VHS if you want it (just no remote).
 
AstroTurf said:
TopTV RF out to RF in on an old VHS or Mnet decoder then use AV out for the picture (on VHS) or RF out on Mnet decoder.
use a av to stereo plug cable for the sound.

Seems to be what works for most.
Click to expand...

Guess its time to whip out that old vcr and put this to the test.

Thank you.
 
My decoder is connected directly to my tv card's RCA video and audio inputs and I can record without a problem
 
Being used to MultiChoice PVR over the past 3 years, the inability to record from TopTV was an irreconsilible issue to me. Needless to say my e-mail to them in this regard went unanswered. In the age of HDTV, there is no way I was going to degrade a composite video signal by sending it via RF, and feeding a 7.1 channel audio amp a mono input signal is just sacriledge! The little device sold & shipped internationally by Nightlight in the UK solves the Macrovision problem though, and I now use my LG HDD DVR to record the late night shows/movies on TopTV I'm not willing to stay up for. The device works pretty good, but has SCART interfaces. Don't be tempted to buy the SCART/RCA converter plugs they seperately sell though, as the device requires a perfect video signal to negate the Macrovision signals. The IN/OUT selector switch used on the converter is incapable of providing decent contact, and is also very fragile. Buy proper SCART in- & out cables! The guys at Nightlight are very helpful & promptly reply to e-mails.
 
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