Questions about flags and encrypted recordings

[BerMM]

My HTPC is working pretty well aside from my 360 extender (I need to finish some ethernet wiring). I'm building up a decent library of recorded movies and specials that I would like to save. As I understand it, there are certain flags and encryption that can prevent me from copying these to my DLNA server. If I understand Windows DRM right, the decryption key will be lost if I format and rebuild my system partition, and my recordings will then be unusable. Is there any way of stripping these flags and encryption, or at least backing up and restoring the decryption key?

[adam1991]

are you sure these recordings are DRM protected?

My cable company doesn't flag anything.

[BerMM]

are you sure these recordings are DRM protected?

My cable company doesn't flag anything.

No. I'm trying to make some sense of what I've read before I try converting a few.

[TeddyR]

open up the recorded TV folder Default is a hidden directory "C:\Users\Public\Recorded TV" unless you moved it. Select "View | Details". If not already displayed, select "view | choose details" and place a checkmark next to "protected". This will show you the status if an item is protected (DRMed) or not. This would give you an idea of how much would be affected.

[pittsoccer33]

If you are in WMC you can see the copy protected status of a recording on this screen



You can copy these recordings to any server, pc, or hard drive you want. But only the WMC pc (or an associated extender) that recorded it can play it. Once you reformat the hard drive/reinstall Windows or do a system restore to a point in time before the recording you will lose your ability to watch it.

[smcmillan2]

If I understand Windows DRM right, the decryption key will be lost if I format and rebuild my system partition, and my recordings will then be unusable.

Correct.

Is there any way of stripping these flags and encryption

No.

or at least backing up and restoring the decryption key?

Backup: Yes. Restoring: Depends.

There is a thread (at least one) on this subject here. Basically, you can restore the keys after say restoring a system image to the same hardware (e.g. the hard disk dies on you, you replace it and restore an image older then the last update to the Playready keys).

[Crash2009]

You can view all of your protected in windows explorer by navigating to your Recorded Tv folder, right click up by where mine says protected, then select more, then turn on protected.

[BerMM]

Thanks. This is exactly what I was wondering. I suppose there isn't any alternative software that will record from cablecard to unprotected files, either.

[mike_ekim]

Thanks. This is exactly what I was wondering. I suppose there isn't any alternative software that will record from cablecard to unprotected files, either.

If the content is flagged 'copy freely' then there are alternative ways to record that content. If the content is flagged 'copy once' then only certain platforms such as WMC, a TiVo, or a cable company's DVR will record that programming.

[blueiedgod]

My HTPC is working pretty well aside from my 360 extender (I need to finish some ethernet wiring). I'm building up a decent library of recorded movies and specials that I would like to save. As I understand it, there are certain flags and encryption that can prevent me from copying these to my DLNA server. If I understand Windows DRM right, the decryption key will be lost if I format and rebuild my system partition, and my recordings will then be unusable. Is there any way of stripping these flags and encryption, or at least backing up and restoring the decryption key?

You can still move the protected recordings to another physical location. They will only play when opened using the machine that originally recorded them, even from a remote location.

[adam1991]

If I understand Windows DRM right, the decryption key will be lost if I format and rebuild my system partition, and my recordings will then be unusable.

Correct.

Well, to be accurate: DRM'd recordings will be unusable. Those with no DRM will not be affected.