Page 1 of BodySnatcher on TV last night - copy protected?

Did anyone else try to record the old Karloff movie The Bodysnatcher on TV last night? When I checked it this morning on my Panny DMR-E20 it did not even start to record. I am 99% sure that this film was "copy protected". I have the VHS video and that is protected too (I think that all of those old Universal Horror movies are). This is the fist time i have ever come across a film broadcast on BBC that was protected - particularly strange as this movie was made in the forties. I hope that this is not going to be a regular problem with TV film broadcasts.

Andy

I`ve only heard of this on Sky Box Office.
Just because the video is copy-protected doesn`t mean the broadcast will be. The vast majority of VHS films are protected.
Think something just went a bit screwy.
In fact, thinking of it now, if it was due to protection it would have just recorded black and white `fuzz` wouldn`t it? Not just not even start.

Ste

Yeah that`s a good point although i think that the Panasonic DVD recorder just stops and goes back into standby when it come across copy protected material. It was strange that it recorded the BBC2 trailer and anouncer just before the film started and when they said "and now tonights film The Bodysnatcher" - bang? off it went.

Andy

Perhaps it doesn`t like horror films!!

If this was an instance of copy protection (CGMS) being used, then it was probably a mistake - I very much doubt that Universal are bothered about people copying a 60-year-old film.

However, it does show that the copy protection issue is a Pandora`s box just waiting to be opened. All new digital recorders (i.e. DVD recorders, PVRs, etc.) have to be CGMS compliant, which means that broadcasters can stop people from recording at the touch of a button. I`m sure Sky already use CGMS on their Box Office movies (along with Macrovision to stop VHS recording, of course), but it could eventually make its way onto normal subscription channels or even free-to-air channels.

sj wrote:

"In fact, thinking of it now, if it was due to protection it would have just recorded black and white `fuzz` wouldn`t it? Not just not even start."

No, that`s what happens when you try to record a Macrovision protected signal onto VHS tape! Digital recorders and CGMS are a totally different kettle of fish.

Mike

it might be what i was suffering from but i bought a lead that got rid of the problem called a Smart leads I.S.Pro gold.

Thanks Mike - it would be a worrying trend if terrestrial movies started to broadcast CGMS protection. I really think that it is something to do with Universal/MCA films - every videotape i have from that company bought in the last 4 years or so is protected.

Andy

i have had that before on normal broadcasts on my e30 dvd recorder its not macrovision as i have tried devices for the macrovision and they dont work there is only one new device which i have which works great i dont know if it is cgms it gets rid of as well as macro visio but it works.

Mike G,
I stand corrected.

Cheers,

Ste