[Todd-C]

I just purchased a plasma tv and subscribed to HD television. I recorded one of my favorite artist's performance on a talk show and wanted to transfer it to minidisc so I can listen to it when I work out. The problem is I get an error message (cannot copy) when trying to record to my minidisc. I have a HDMI connection from my SA8300HD DVR to the tv and an optical connection for audio from the DVR to my receiver (Sony STR-DE897) with the Neo6 cinema setting for surround system and an optical from the receiver to the minidisc recorder. Do I need something to convert the signal or just need to adjust a setting on the DVR or receiver? Any help would be appreciated.

[Dick Knisely]

Just a guess but I'd bet the culprit is copy protection. This is a "feature" and not a bug. The HDMI interface will honor a "do not digitally record" flag in the material. You might try an analog video/audio connection from DVR to recorder, if that works then that's what is happening.

[ChristopherDAC]

Yep, sounds like SCMS [via SPDIF/Toslink, not HDMI] to me.

Of course, the other possibility is that the native Dolby Digital AC-3 signal is not something that the MiniDisc recorder is willing to accept, in which case setting your DVR to PCM output might solve things. Wouldn't bet on it, though.

[Todd-C]

Thanks for the replies. Dang SCMS. I understand the intent but sucks when you can't enjoy for your own personal listening pleasure. I guess I will try analog and loose some of the quality.