Comcast/Motorola 6412 DVR HD Broadcast Restrictions?

February 01, 2005 at 04:37 PM in

Can the viewing options on a DVR now be controlled by the broadcaster? Tipster "Matthew" writes in to tell us:

"I recorded 24 this evening on FOX-HD (Comcast, Chicago Area) and low and behold, I was unable to Pause, Rewind, or Fast Forward any of the show! I have not heard of this at all, but it seems as though they've found a way to restrict what a DVR can do. On the other hand, my Tivo, recorded the same show, on Fox's non-HD channel and I was able to use all of the DVR functions."

We haven't heard anything about this - has anyone else experienced these problems, or is Matthew experiencing delusions caused by a genetically-engineered virus? Let us know by adding your comments to this post!

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Reader Comments

Keefer @ February 1, 2005 05:43 PM

Somebody set us up the bomb!

amb34 @ February 1, 2005 07:31 PM

I have the same box, and I also could not ff 24. Called the cable company this morning and they said they needed to send a signal to my box. I'll see if it works when I get home.

Really, watching 24 w/o ff last night drove me insane. I think it's a box issue, not something special with that episode of 24 (though, this is the second time I've had that problem with 24).

Andrew @ February 1, 2005 07:42 PM

I was watching last night's 24 in HD as well. I had no problem at all fast-forwarding, rewinding, or pausing. I paused it for 10 minutes at a time without incident. There ARE a ton of bugs with these machines.

Jason @ February 1, 2005 09:57 PM

It worked just fine for me last night. No problems at all.

Bob @ February 2, 2005 12:44 AM

Same box with Comcast. I did not have any problems pausing or fast forwarding.

Brian @ February 2, 2005 04:44 PM

Same thing happened to me about half way thru American Idol last night. Also in Chicago w/ Comcast 6412.

Jeff @ February 2, 2005 05:23 PM

Worked fine for me in Western Mass

Nicki @ February 3, 2005 04:35 AM

I had the same problem with American Idol. I'm also in Chicago with Comcast 6412.

Billy Bob @ February 6, 2005 02:23 AM

My momma tried to record American Idol and she got drunk and passed out. I bet the government is in on this!

troy @ September 27, 2007 07:57 PM

has anyone figured out if you can unlock the block that keeps you from recording from any room in the house?

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