Copy protection HDMI problem.

[RichK]

I have a Sony RDRVXD655 DVD recorder/VCR combo that has worked great with my old Mitsubishi CRT TV.

Since buying a SONY KDL 46Z4100 HDTV there is a HDMI problem and more.

The recorder has built in copy protection that won't record on DVD any premium movies such as HBO. I only record network shows or channels that are not copy protected.

I have a new SA 4650 HDC cable box with a HDMI connect to the Sony TV, and a RF cable to the recorder, which also has a HDMI output to the TV. With this setup I cannot view channels that I want to record through the recorder. A message on screen says the recorder DVI/HDMI output is blocked due to copy protection. Swapping the HDMI recorder-TV cable back to my old composite cables enabled me to once again view the channel and record without the protection message.

Although I was upset by not being able to use a new HDMI cable, the old cables worked fine to a point. While watching a movie recorded from the Lifetime channel, (not copy protected), the picture was replaced by the copy protection message after one hour of playback. I now suspect the cable box HDMI-TV connection causing some copy protection feedback to the recorder.

I intend to call Sony customer service next week to discuss the problem. Has anyone experienced a similar situation?

[57U]

Yes, see: http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=33977 (27)

I assume you meant component video cables, not composite. You may wish to do a reboot of the STB:

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=8721 That and other tips.

[RichK]

Thanks for your reply.

I solved my problem using a 3 way spiltter.

Forgive my crude diagram.
http://s211.photobucket.com/albums/bb117/RichK_album/?action=view&current=HDTV3waysplitterMedium.jpg

I am feeding 3 RF outputs with the 3 way splitter to the TV, cable box and DVD recorder (digital tuner).
There is no picture degradation on the TV with the 3 inputs. (RF, cable box including HD and DVD recorder.

I record any non copy protected signal on DVD using the direct RF input. I can also record on VHS any signal from the cable box.

Using AV cables from the cable box output to the recorder input. Also AV cables from the recorder out to TV input. And HDMI from Cable box to TV.

Best of all no more copy protection message blocking signals!!

By the way I'm still using quality composite cables because the Sony recorder manual states all output signals including HD are changed to SD regardless of cable.(HDMI, component, composite). Also my Sony TV (KDL 46Z4100) will not allow a normal display area from the recorder with HDMI input cables. I don't like wide, zoom or full.

[57U]

Your diagram is as described in the following FAQ:

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=1330

The problem is, that sometimes you cannot record digital channels due to the HDMI connection to the TV causing an issue, hence my suggestion to use component video to the TV from the STB which may alleviate the recording issue and would provide similar picture quality.

I would suggest that you use HDMI cables from the recorder to the TV so that you can use the upconversion capability of the recorder. By using the composite cables, you're sacrificing the PQ quite a bit. At least you should be using component video cables from the DVD recorder to the TV.

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=3529 Cables & Connections

If the TV is not displaying the picture properly using HDMI, you probably haven't set up the DVD recorder properly for output formats. Go into the User Setup menu and do it properly, or perhaps the user menu of the TV where HDMI settings may need changing.

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=1052 Black Bars.

[RichK]

My video setting on the DVD recorder are:
TV type-16:9
HDMI resolution-auto, which outputs video signals of the highest resolution acceptable for the TV.
Video-Y Cb Cr

The other video setting are picture control (dynamic,standard,cinema).
black level (on, off)
progressive (on, off)
Which will have no effect on screen size mode.

With these settings the Sony TV will not allow a normal mode in the screen settings with a HDMI cable. I went through every video and screen setting on the TV and recorder that would allow a normal picture mode with HDMI cable to no avail.

When substituting composite for HDMI cables with the same above settings, the TV allows a normal screen mode and size.

Since all outputs are changed to SD, would component cables be that much better than composite? I don't watch commercial DVDs owned or rented on this recorder, I just record network programs on DVD+R or DVD+RW for future viewing and the ability to reuse. Also I copy my VHS tapes to DVD.

As advised in your first post, I called my cable company ( Time Warner) and they rebooted my cable box which did not solve the copy protection problem.

Thanks again for your input.

[57U]

Click the second link in post 2 and read the tips there. No need to call the cable company.

Since you're just watching recorded material, then there may not be a huge difference, but you could certainly try component video to see if that improves things a bit.

In order to watch 4:3 as 4:3, use the TV remote to go to: Home - Settings - Screen

Under Screen - Change Wide mode to Normal and change 4:3 Default to off or perhaps turn auto Wide to off. This should allow you to watch 4:3 from the recorder in 4:3 rather than stretched.