Child Item

Site Totals

61215 Questions Answered 267 Categories

I have a non-authorized DVR! Why?

I have a Verizon HD box with DVR. My DVR appears to work properly, recording whatever I ask it to record. The issue is at playback. Some programs, not all, with no relationship to channel, time of day, length of program or anything else will not play. All I get is the message "This service is not authorized for playback (or recording)." Other programs playback fine.

I called Tech support. They said they would reset my box from their side and that everything I had scheduled for recording would be erased. After about 15 minutes, I regained control of the box. Nothing had changed. All of my schedule was intact. All of my recordings were there and the recordings that didn't play before, still didn't play!

To say I am not happy is mild. Where do I go from here? All other features of the box (widgets, VOD, program guide) work.

All ideas GREATLY appreciated.....

Paul

Comments

Karl_VZ

Hi Paul, I sent you a message about this issue. Please reply back when you have a chance. Thanks!

spacedebris

Sounds like you may have a bad hard drive. Any recordings recorded into the faulty space of the hard drive will fail to playback.

You may be able to do a factory reset of the DVR and have them completely clear the Hard Drive (basically a re-format of the HD) But if it were me. I'd ask for a replacement. Once a HD starts to go it can cause many other issues.

TX-Jim

I have the same problem. When I called service the service rep said it was the broadcast company (ABC Network) that was blocking the playback. Not helpful. I have always been able to record and play programs on FIOS Channel 508 with no problems. This has been going on for two weeks. Can I look forward to a total failure soon?

johnmcgann

@TX-Jim wrote:

>the service rep said it was the broadcast company (ABC Network) that was blocking >the playback. Not helpful.

You were "fed a line". Call again.

telebears

Exact same thing happened to me and I was sent a new DVR after 5-days have rebooting it. The response (from tech support and this forum) was unacceptable so I choose to go to DirecTV and couldn't be happier. I suggest everyone do the same.

magnusfl

@telebears wrote:
Exact same thing happened to me and I was sent a new DVR after 5-days have rebooting it. The response (from tech support and this forum) was unacceptable so I choose to go to DirecTV and couldn't be happier. I suggest everyone do the same.

I wnet to sat my self after being frustrated with verizons lack of customer service and love there customer service as they answered there phones in less the 5 minutes (comparted to 45Min for verizon and then to a wrong deparment which took 45 minutes more )had there tech out 14 times in a month and half tweeking our dish but sadly what we hated is complete signal lost every time it rained so back to FIOS

ccdedyo

Karl, Can you please send me the same info? My DVR is doing the same thing. Thank you.

VZScreenName1

I too am having this problem. Karl can get this info too.

smatzke

Karl,

What is the secret to getting your infomation? Does it help, or does it just look good in these postings?

Karl_VZ

Hey Jim -- I sent you a message about your post. Please get back to me when you're able. Thanks!

Karl_VZ

Hi ccdedyo -- I apologize I'm just seeing your post about the DVR problems you've had. I sent you a message if you're still having any issues. Thanks!

Karl_VZ

No secret smatzke, I've sent you a message so we can discuss whatever issues you might be having. Thanks!

Karl_VZ

Hi VZscreenname -- I got your message and have replied back to you. Thanks!

swedepie

Just after 12:01 am 11/01, I also got the same error message when trying to play David Letterman's Holloween show, "This service is not Authorized to record (or) playback." This is the first time I've ever seen this message!

I doubt that it is a disk error. Looking at the recent occurences of this message during the past week, I believe it is a software problem or the broadcaster, CBS, requested the restriction. I can view the same show on a different DVR in my house.

VZ, this is your error. Where do I get my refund on my service on my FIOS triple play?

Donnak3

Well I'm not alone here! I'm having the same problem..just recorded that Ghost hunters live show,..which will not be repeated I'm sure since it was live....wanted to watch it tonight after work and I'm getting this unauthorized playback issue..the first I've ever seen this. Ever since the upgrade to the way the box works..ie new guide etc, my box has been lagging and doesn't respond as well to the remote. Anyone else having this issue? Fast Forward doesn't stop when you hit play and same with rewind.

Karl....me too..can you send me what ever info you sent the others to get my recording to play?? Thanks

rygs

I have experienced this a few time(NBC shows mostly but last night was NCIS LA on CBS. Funny thing is NCIS worked which was recorded the hours previous and is a much higher rater show). I assumed it was broadcast restriction until I came upon this thread since my show wasn't on demand yet. This doesn't make sense that one week a show would be available in DVR then the next not. Hoping its hardware as I am having other issue mentioned as well. button clicks sometime lag, system just shutting off. Etc..

Karl, send me the info you are sending to everyone else. I will be opening a ticket with Verizon.

Akhenaten1

I had the same issue on11/1/11 with a recording of GLEE on FOX. It seems to have recorded but when I try and play it says not authorized. I called and was also told Verizon only handles the equipment and it is the broadcaster or copyright. Meanwhile my neighbor, also a fios customer, recorded and watched the same program.

Karl ..... can you help?

Thanks!

VDarling

I had the same problem on 11/03 trying to watch Person of Interest (CBS). I had no problem accessing the previous night's episode of Criminal Minds, also on CBS, and I can watch every other show recorded today, even the ones recorded afte Person of Interest.

jayboyVz

WHY can't this mysterious "Karl" just post the solution instead of responding to everyone individually?

Is the problem because:

A) The network (ABC) won't allow playback , or

The DVR is confused or has a bad spot on the disk

C) Some other DVR bug

Please help,

Jay

Lynnzie1

I recorded Dancing with the Stars last night on ABC 7; I attempted to play it and got the message: DVR Alert: this service is not authorized for playback or recording. Verizon people, please help me fix the problem.

Jcronk23

I had the same isdue tonight when i had two SVU recordings and accidentally hit the play all feature. The hit stop and it locked the recordings with the same messages you all are getting. Surprisingly I couldnt play the single episode by itself HOWEVER I hit play all again and it let me watch each episode together. Seems the play all feature is something that can jack up episodes if you accidentally click it!!

doggonepc

@donnak wrote:
Well I'm not alone here! I'm having the same problem..just recorded that Ghost hunters live show,..which will not be repeated I'm sure since it was live....wanted to watch it tonight after work and I'm getting this unauthorized playback issue..the first I've ever seen this. Ever since the upgrade to the way the box works..ie new guide etc, my box has been lagging and doesn't respond as well to the remote. Anyone else having this issue? Fast Forward doesn't stop when you hit play and same with rewind.
Karl....me too..can you send me what ever info you sent the others to get my recording to play?? Thanks

Off topic but I second this issue. My DVR box just fails to respond readily ever since the software update under a month ago. Oddly enough the remote units for multi room are perfomring better. Not to mention the new guide is awful too.

bbyboop1977

Well this is the first time this has happened to me. Recorded Greys anatomy last night 2/2/12 and now it's saying this service is not authorized for playback or recording. Played and recorded last weeks just fine. Recorded private practice which is on after Greys and played just fine. I'm also having the same problem with the dely with the controller. Please fix.

DePro

Okay, same thing happened to me and I missed a show I really wanted to see. I am thoroughly ticked off. Why can't someone from Verizon say what is causing this? My contract is up in a few days and I'll be changing companies if it isn't addressed.

Hubrisnxs

I've had this happen to me before too, and I can't tell you if this is a universal fix, only that it worked for me.

Also I can't explain WHY it worked for me, but I know that it does work for me.

As silly as it sounds simple reboots don't appear to fix it and the auto correct feature has rarely if ever fixed it for me. What I had to do was REBOOT my ROUTER first. (odd, I know) after I rebooted my router, I rebooted my set top box (unplugged the power for 30 seconds and back in)

and then viola! it worked. I don't know if this will work for you, but give it a try. I hope if this is a software bug, they get it fixed cuz it sure was annoying when I got it.

bbyboop1977

Well a week later and I record again Greys anatomy and guess what same thing happened again. It's not authorized to play. Why why why. It wouldn't be so bad if they would keep up with on demand and put the shows up the next day. Takes forever to update it.

jkpooh

Same problem. same error message Rebooted router and dvr with no improvement. Plays on other Dvr but not the main one it recorded on. Very annoying!! How do I fix this Karl?

Splattypus

I as well got the same error "This service is not authorized for playback or recording" I just recorded Saturday Night Live and this is the error I get when I play it. The DVR sucks! I've had other DVRs before, I never got this issue.

RobertCGray1

I'm glad to learn we are not the only ones with serious problems with the latest FiOS firmware upgrades. In addition to the non-response and delayed response to remote commands, the expanding "not authorized to playback" message is killing us. We watch 70% of TV on a delayed basis and have paid thousands for hi-def displays, which we are increasingly not able to use.

A a computer industry veteran, this is clearly a Verizon software issue in combination with apparently copyright disputes between Verizon and the content distributors.

I will be contacting Verizon support on March 11th, getting an official address and sending them a formal complaint of failure to provide the service we have contracted for.

Verizon and its set-top box partner Motorola need to get their software act together - as the current software version has ruined a perfectly good service - whaich previously had the highest levels of satisfaction. We have alreeady reported the changes to the consumer panel we are a part of that FiOS has become "un-satisfactory" with this change.

The restricting of HD playback is going to have a major un-intended consequence for Verizon and the traditional channels. If this is not corrected in the next 30 days, we will join the post-cable generation and supplement OTA with web-based video. The content providers don't want us to time shift? Fine, you shortly will not have us to count at all! Be very careful what you wish for.

Adamo1

Same here!!! I am so sick of Verizon!!! Sucks! I was looking forward to watching my show but no its not gonna happen apparently! So frustrating!!

Child Item