Channels and Programming

[Vorticon]

From previous questions, it was stated that Comcast can 'anonymously' track which programs/channels a person has on, for 'research' reasons.

Is Comcast able to remotely change the channel on a persons tv, if they so choose?

[rog286713]

you buy a certain package which gives you certain channels.    If you are asking can comcast change your channel from their office i guess they can , but they would never do that.   If  you are having issues post them.

[LunaStarr]

don't see a reason why they would. Myself, I annoy my flatmates by changing channels on the tv's at random using the Xfinity TV website. I get bored.

[Barmar]

Since it can be done from the web site, it obviously can be done remotely, so Comcast could do it if they wanted to. But this only works with certain models of cable box.

[Vorticon]

I've tried to record a show on my 'newer' non-comcast dvd-recorder/dvr combo in my living room, which is also hooked up to our main comcast hd box and it was unable to, the show was not allowed to be recorded, apparently some copyrighted program that doesn't allow comcast customers to record on a dvd recorder. That recorder/dvr machine can't dvr anything longer than 6 hours, and if I can't be there within 6 hours of the program being broadcast, I'm just out of luck.

So I set up my 'old' dvd-recorder to record the same show in another room, hooked up only to a comcast converter box, checked the channel 5 minutes before the show started to make sure the channel was correct, shut off the tv, came back the next day and it had recorded the time slot, but had recorded a totally different channel!

It had recorded the same show all last season without a problem on that machine. First time off this season.....my channel is changed.

Makes me wonder since comcast has arrangements with networks to not let certain copyrighted programs be recorded (only dvr'd on a comcast dvr). So if maybe if comcast can't control older dvd-recorders by blocking the recording, they can change the channel on you to keep the program from being recorded anyway.

I only want to record the program to watch later because I can't watch it then, not record it to sell it!

[edpeters]

There have been many complaints about the copy tag that Comcast puts on some channels and the equipment (recorders) that don't really interpret those flags properly.  A friend of mine can not record SPEED TV on her DVD recorder (a newer Magnavox I think), but has no problem recording that channel with her old VCR recorder.  It's not just Comcast the entire "record once/many/none" system is totally dysfunctional.

[Barmar]

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Makes me wonder since comcast has arrangements with networks to not let certain copyrighted programs be recorded (only dvr'd on a comcast dvr). So if maybe if comcast can't control older dvd-recorders by blocking the recording, they can change the channel on you to keep the program from being recorded anyway.

---

But they can't tell that you're recording the program rather than watching it. They're just sending a signal out through the wire, they can't tell what's at the other end of the wire, a TV or a recorder.

[Vorticon]

If they can't tell whats at the end of the wire, then why is my blu-ray dvd/dvr recorder in my living room, at the end of the wire, being blocked from recording it?

[commanguy]

If I understand it correctly the HDMI connections enable a software copy protection flag. So Comcast doens't need to know what is actually at the other end, the program codes itself prevent the recording from taking place.

[Vorticon]

Thanks for all your replies!

I used to know most everything about hooking up tv's, vcr's, dvd players, stereos etc., but it's just too hard to keep up with terminology these days.

CommanGuy: ---''If I understand it correctly the HDMI connections enable a software copy protection flag''.....

I read somewhere that connecting an 'HDCP-compatible' HDMI cable in place of the current HDMI cable and resetting (unplugging) the power cord for 30 seconds, will allow me to 'view the device without the copy protection'.

Will I be able to record programs on my living room dvd-recorder/dvr then, which have been previously blocked, or am I totally misreading this whole thing?

[commanguy]

vorticon wrote---I read somewhere that connecting an 'HDCP-compatible' HDMI cable in place of the current HDMI cable and resetting (unplugging) the power cord for 30 seconds, will allow me to 'view the device without the copy protection'.

Not really certain on that one myself. I remembered reading some where else on the forums on the copy protection flag. My guess would be that your fix would work only for the channel you are tuned in to at that time. I would think that once you switch the protection flag gets reset.

But like you I haven't kept up that intently with all the changes myself in the audio/video area.

JayInAlg probably has better information on this. Do you know how to send Private Messages via the forums?

If you do send one to Jay and ask him.