Unable to record to VCR/DVD Recorder from ExpressVu 3500 STBs

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dbman1207

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I had an appointment with a Bell Technical Supervisor to go over my problems. Waited all night long. No one called, so much for my appointment.
 
I have been a subscriber of Bell Express Vu for about 10 years. I have always been able to record programs on my VCR from my Bell Express Vu receiver to view at a more convenient time (time shifting).
On Sunday June 15, 2008 I was unable to record any channels from my Bell Express Vu receiver. I would get a banner on my VCR screen which read " Protected Content" no matter what channel I tried to record. I tried my other VCR and got the same results.
I called Bell Express Vu on Monday June 16 and after two days of getting the run around from Bell, the Bell Express Vu technician told me that the broadcasters were "Copy Protecting" their signal and I could not record some channels on Express Vu.
I informed him that I did not believe that because I have a roof top antenna and I am able to record CBC, Global, A Channel and all the American networks over the air with no problems. I only have a problem when recording from Bell Express Vu. Finally he did admit that it was Bell who was "Copy Protecting" the signal and I could not record unless I had one of their PVR's ( Personal Video Recorders ).
Bell is restricting me from recording on my VCR in order to push the sales of it
 
I was just about to ask about this sort of thing. Ive only recently purchased a 9242 (and have only been a BEV subscriber for 2 months) and I was wondering if it was possible to take an HD channel and record it using a DVD recorder.

So this is possible? Is it still widescreen? I know the resolution will no longer be 720p/1080i. Is it possible to maintain the DD5.1 or is that lost, and you get only stereo?
 
I think I have the same issue. I bought a DVR today and when trying to record from 3500N receiver I get a copyright error message. It records fine from the 1000N receiver. I have always used the 3500 for recording and will call xpressvu tomorrow and complain about this.

BTW, will the recording have the same quality if the receiver is connected through coaxial to the DVR as if it was connected using A/V connectors?
 
They can't copy protect the analog outputs of your BEV receiver. I doubt that's the problem.

-Mike
 
I have changed the title of the thread to more accurately reflect the nature of the problem.

dbman, can you explain what ExpressVu receiver you are using and how you are connecting it to your VCR?
 
Sounds like this may be a bug or hardware issue with the 3500 only as noone with any other model seems to have reported a problem. My 3100s, 5900s and 9200 all record to DVD-R without an issue and I'm pretty sure it would block any flagged content.
 
The Express Vu stream is a digital stream and since I don't own one of their PVR, I'm locked out from recording on my DVD recorder as I have for many years.

I have asked serveral friends who also have Bell Express Vu, but not Bell's PVR's and they also have the same problem now.
 
I have no idea what you are talking about. In the first post you said you couldn't record to your VCR. Now you are talking about recording to your DVD recorder and you don't answer with how you are hooked up.

As noted by Mike, there is nothing that we are aware of that prevents you from recording the analog outputs from an ExpressVu receiver on a VCR or a DVD recorder.
 
This is not really the thread to discuss those topics, however, yes it's WS and no for DD5.1, since the audio connections are analogue audio.

Be aware that component video connections are pretty rare on DVD recorders (limited to more costly ones) and we're mostly discussing composite, S-video and RF-coax. If this is indeed CGMS-A, then that may not affect component video connections on DVD recorders for example (I just don't know since the topic comes up so rarely).

It'd be good to get some feedback from someone using any of the three SD analogue connections.
 
I have a Bell Express Vu 3500 receiver with two sets of video and audio outputs along with SVHS output. I have been a subscriber for approx 10 years and this is the only receiver I've used.
 
Thanks 57. I might just get one and archive those epiodes of SNL, Real World, etc that are slowly but surely eating up my HDD.
 
When I talked to BEV tech support they said they were not aware of this issue and also they had no clue about what to do about it. I would assume that fixing a few obsolete 3500s would be fairly low on the priority list. They suggested I use the 1000 for recording or purchase a different receiver. They were even as helpful as to suggest sources for used ones :D. Not sure if I will follow up on this any more with BEV, but I hope that more info will posted here.
 
The tech support at Bell Express Vu told me that unless I have a Bell Express Vu PVR, I could not record any Express Vu signals. Only subscribers with PVR's are now able to record material. I don't have nor have I ever had a PVR. I was able to simply record to my DVD recorder but I now get the message "protected content " whenever I try and record from BEV , as of Sunday June 15 as I stated in my original post.
 
A Bell Express Vu Supervisor finally called me on Saturday July 5.
The Supervisor informed me that indeed it WAS BELL'S FAULT.
In the newest software release they have found a bug which is affecting the 3500 model receiver. Bell assured me that it was not intentional and that they are working to find a fix. They do not know how long it may take.
 
Can you at least explain what Bell receiver you have and how its connected to your DVR/VCR? I agree that bell can't "copy protect" the anolog outputs of their receivers. I don't believe there are any non PVR BEV reveivers with digital outputs...

ok, thanks for the model number.
 
Last time I tired (on a 5900, I wanted some show to be on tape to give it to my sis) I had no problem.

I hooked a coaxical cable from receiver to VCR, then from VCR to TV. When I record I set a timer in my VCR (channel 03 must be the channel to record) AND a timer in my Express Vu receiver for it to change channel at the time of the show.

Never had a problem that way
 
It appears that the 4100 STB is also affected:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=88750

I've closed that thread though so that discussions can continue here.
 
Are you recording with a VCR or a DVD recorder? Are you connecting the recorder through the SVHS or the video out?

I was under the impression that the output of the SVHS will not work with a DVD recorder but the video out will.
 
FWIW, just tried with my VCR (I know you are using a DVD recorder) with my 3100 in the basement. Still records fine... tried using coax on Channel 3 and composite video. Tried different channels from BEV also.


Neither had any problems. (Except I had forgotten how bad VCR recordings look ;) )
 
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