recording is being blocked

Hi! Lately I have tried recording programs on FX, and STARZ, both of which are included in my FIOS TV package. It gives me an error "you are not allowed to record this program" or some such. I used to be able to record programs to watch later - I did that with "What We Do in the Shadows" on FX most recently.

Does anyone know if this is something that applies to all programs on these channels? I have read some threads that suggest it might just be a cable box glitch. Any ideas?

Thanks!

Accepted answers

clem21

If it is only those 3 channels, they may be using the old Macrovision copy protection system. You may be able to get around that by passing the signal through a distribution amp, or an RF modulator. The minis actually come with a composite converter that plugs into a 3/8 jack on the back of the box. They will only provide a signal to one output at a time though.

All comments

clem21

First contact billing and ask them to re-authorize your account.

I f you have the Fios One boxes you could try a factory reset. remember you will loose ALL your customization

Unplug the box from power. Unpair the FiOS one remote from the box by pressing the play/pause button and the zero button until the LED on the remote blinks blue. Let it keep blinking until it blinks red. Then plug back in the box and keep pressing the menu button on the remote while pointing it at the cable box. Eventually the right hand LED on the box will light up green. Once it does press the zero key on the remote, then press the okay button. After a few seconds the box will reboot and factory reset itself. as it brings the box back to day one:

scififan1

Hi! Thanks so much for your reply.

So, I called Verizon this morning. I need to do more research, because it looks like the issue may be on my end. I do not use the Verizon DVR. Instead, I have a standalone Magnavox HDD DVR recorder - yes, it is old tech, but it still works great. However, I am now concerned that the issue is related to the HDCP (high-bandwidth digital content protection system). Why it would only be an issue with certain channels is unclear, especially FX, but I am looking at possible workaround equipment. The new issue becomes connections, which changed when I was forced to upgrade from the old Motorola cable box.

Anyway, I appreciate your response, even though it does not address my issue, or so it seems.

clem21

It could be HDCP related if you changed from an analog setup to an HDMI setup. There was no real copyright on analog recording sources, except for Macrovision, but for HDMI one of the main points was copy protection. You need to find an external recorder that somehow gets around that issue.

scififan1

So, when we got the new cable boxes, which I believe are the FIOS 1 boxes, not the minis, we had limited options to connect our tech. But, we have the HDD DVR connected to the cable box via the component cables (red-white-yellow). So, that makes me wonder if I am barking up the wrong tree since I am not using HDMI. But, the new cable boxes offer HD only, although the manual for my device says all HD signals will be converted to SD before recording.