Sony VRD-MC6 Connection To Cable Box

[Lindon]

I've recorded several movies on our cable box (Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300) and want to copy them with the Sony VRD-MC6. The Sony recorder is connected to the cable box's audio/video out ports and the recorder's viewing screen displays what I want to record, but when I press the record button, "waitng on video signal" message appears. I've recorded many vhs tapes with the Sony and as long as the viewing screen displayed the movie, I was assured the proper connections were made and pressing the record button would start the process. What am I doing wrong with the cable box connection?

[DB83]

The movies possibly have some form of copy protection.

[jagabo]

Analog output from a cable box can contain Macrovision, or the CGMS-A "copy never" flag.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CGMS-A

Try recording an over-the-air broadcast channel, especially PBS. Those are least likely to be copy protected. Subscription channels like HBO are most likely to be copy protected.

[Lindon]

Here's Suddenlink's response: Those ports are not active on your DVR as it is not allowed to copy recordings from your DVR to another device.

[usually_quiet]

Here's Suddenlink's response: Those ports are not active on your DVR as it is not allowed to copy recordings from your DVR to another device.

If can watch recordings on your TV, using the same connections, then they are active.

There are devices known as digital video stabilizers that might allow you to record the DVR's analog signal with your Sony VRD-MC6. The Dimax Grex is one of the better-known examples of this type of product. Some people here swear by them, others feel they make the video look a little bit worse after processing it. Good ones are not inexpensive.