Middle America's Worldview

We utilize the cable company like most do around here. Primarily, I use them for the cable internet access. It hit our area before the phone DSL, so I obviously jumped on the cable highway as soon as it was made availible.

Given that, the cable company began to offer another tantalizing option, in the name of DVR. The digital video recorder came into the public spotlight by TIVO. Since then other companies have attempted to get into the mix, some were sued by TIVO for having too close of a product using their patent. From the looks of it, this niche will only grow.

I listened to the others having the dvr and was told by all, they love it. However, when I asked can you export that same video, no-one knew. Now before you jump in and say it's illegal to copy off the cable, I would simply remind you the VCR did the same thing and no-one blew a gasket over it.

The other day, I finally took in my regular cable box and traded it in for a DVR. There was basically a 10 dollar difference per month between the two. The DVR I acquired suppose to hold 40 hours of video. Not too bad, considering 80% will probably be taken up by 30 minute cartoons.

I tried to play with it last week by recording the show "Pirate Master" on Thursday night. I was able to view it Friday evening. I noticed the same 7 p.m. show was accidently recorded twice. You can view the "DVR Listing" and choose a recorded show. I chose one of the two and behold, it was a black screen with a rolling text on the bottom informing me this show can not be duplicated or copied.

'Interesting'.

I then chose the other recorded show and it played fine. So, the cable company has some type of firmware, within the box, that does not allow you to record the same show twice at the same time.

I haven't tested or tried to actually record from the DVR to a VHS/DVD combo.

Unfortunately, what I am seeing is a great attempt to put up a wall from the media/video itself. The VHS is being replaced with disc (similar to the cassette with cd's). Along with the change, the ability to duplicate is being removed.