Author Topic: SOLVED: DSTV and DVD Recorder Recording Issue (Read 5384 times)

Jason · « **on:** January 31, 2011, 10:20:32 AM »

I have solved the DSTV Recording issue that reared its ugly head in 2010 and was still present when I last checked earlier this month.

Background Info
Multichoice Africa quietly slipped Digital Rights Management into a firmware update in April 2010. All DSTV STBs are programmed to periodically update the firmware, usually checking is done daily. This particular upgrade took place somewhere in April 2010, which then enabled AACS on the analogue video output. DVD Recorders with built in DRM (SONY, and others) subsequently refused to record anything, displaying an on-screen message "This Picture Cannot Be Recorded"

The problem is caused by digital words being inserted in the blanking periods of the video lines, so the DVD recorder detects these and then responds by disabling recording functions. In some DVD recorders like the SONY models, a gray screen is recorded.

To solve the problem means designing electronics to strip or remove these databits out of the video signal. I never had enough time to do so, but in messing around, I found the following product does the job nicely, and it is PLUG AND PLAY (nothing to set up)

Using the MECER LT291HD Tuner Box to remove DRM

I bought this device originally to drive a projector but when I saw that it has vidoe inputs and outputs I suspected that the processing, even if the signal goes straight through, would be enough to remove the DRM. So I got round to trying it on Saturday night, and low and behold, it removes the DRM, without no settings to perform, or anything. Just connect output of DSTV decoder to video input on the side of the box, then take the VIDEO OUT at the back of the box, into your DVD recorder, and PROBLEM SOLVED.

ABSOLUTELY NO SETUP REQUIRED, JUST PLUG IN THE SIGNALS, THE FACTORY DEFAULT SETTINGS WORK FINE.

Where to get

Matrix Warehouse
Kalahari.net http://www.kalahari.net/electronics/Mecer-LT291HD-TV-Tuner/4601/37643532.aspx

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Epsilon · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2011, 11:33:04 AM »

Great news Jason! I'm sure this is going to help out many people.

PS - More issues with DSTV's crap PVR recorder include the following:
1) You cannot play back any recorded material unless you have a valid active DSTV subscition which is fully paid up etc.
2) You cannot play back any recorded material unless the PVR is connected to a dish and receives a signal.

So forget about taking their PVR on holiday with you to watch some recorded shows unless there is an aligned dish set up already and waiting for you there.
The fact that when your subscription lapses, your access to recorded material is cut, sounds highly unethical to me.

Much better to get a normal DVD/blu ray recorder and use your great solution.

Jason · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2011, 11:51:55 AM »

Thanks very much

Someone else is also very pleased with my hack, so here goes:

You can get your LT291HD from Matrix Warehouse in Killarney Mall. The owner of the store will specifically stock this device for this application, he was just waiting for me to prove that it was viable

Owner: Conrad Els
Telephone: 011 - 486 - 3267

Jason · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2011, 12:33:36 PM »

Attn: Noseweek readers

Any queries, register on this site (its free) and send me a private message

The solution works, and continues to work. Last night I was able to record a number of programs that we wanted to watch but I wanted to go and tinker and my wife wanted to go to bed early.

Jason · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2011, 09:37:09 PM »

Update:
THIS HACK IS LEGIT - IT DOES WHAT I SAY IT DOES
Further tests confirm I cracked this one...

Multichoice- you can kiss my ass!

chantiesDad · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2011, 06:41:00 PM »

Hi Jason, I have just bought the above mentioned equipment and had no luck in recording from my PVR. What am I doing wrong...video out from box to DVD recorder and still 'copy protection' message still comes up. Please help!!! Thanks in advance.

ChantiesDad

Epsilon · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2011, 04:22:58 PM »

Hmm.. Look I'n no expert on this but DSTV have been pushing out 'Updated software for the 1110 and 1131 UEC single view decoders' since 10 March 2011. I hope that is not the cause of the issue you mentioned.

Best to wait for feedback from Jason on this though... He's the Guru when it comes to this kind of stuff.

Jason · « **Reply #7 on:** March 14, 2011, 08:39:10 AM »

Hi there

So far I have two people who report that this hack doesn't work. It still currently works at my residence as I spent a fair amount of this weekend (when I did have electricity) recording from DSTV.

However Epsilon is quite correct that DSTV are doing firmware updates. I suspect its a counterstrike against my hack (I know I am being watched by Multichoice)

Please post the make and model of your DVD recorder here so I can do a comparative study.

If it turns out that DSTV have now subverted this hack, I will simply just hack it again, except this time I will most likely have to develop hardware to do it, but then I will put Multichoice out of business, permanently when it comes to DRM. In such a case I will completely strip the video signal and rebuild it in the digital domain, with the added benefit the image will likely be sharper and clearer.

My theory is that MultiChoice have deployed two concurrent copy protection schemes... my hack above, attacks one of them, and not the other it seems.

chantiesDad · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2011, 06:39:29 PM »

Hi There

Thanks for responding. The DVD recorder is an LG DR 389, bought at Hi-Fi Corp if that helps. Its great news to hear that someone is trying to beat the Multichoice guys.

Any help in this dilemma would be greatly appreciated.

Good luck with the hack.

Thanks again Jason

spiff · « **Reply #9 on:** March 26, 2011, 08:42:47 AM »

hi guys

has anyone in CT got one of these Mecer units? would like to try it out on my LG RH1999H & dual view PVR 1 before I buy it.

Epsilon · « **Reply #10 on:** March 26, 2011, 12:12:09 PM »

Hi spiff,

I'm in Cape Town but unfortunately don't have one of the units myself.

A suggestion:
I'm not sure if the Matrix Warehouse branches in the Cape Town area stock the item, but it may be worth your while going in and having a chat to one of their managers.
If they do stock the item and you explain your situation to them and the purpose why you need it for testing, maybe they will sell you one with for instance a 3 day 'no questions asked' return policy if it doesn't work for what you want to use it for?
Just a thought, but you won't know unless you ask...

Meanwhile let's see what Jason reports on the compatibility issues raised previously.

spiff · « **Reply #11 on:** March 26, 2011, 08:43:58 PM »

thanks Epsilon will keep an eye out for the unit.

yeah lets hope he can pull the rabbit out the hat. one the in our favour! the morons at dstv will always repeat stuff so we have time on our side!

what about putting a larger Hdd in the decoder? or a external drive as it has a usb connection already?

Epsilon · « **Reply #12 on:** March 27, 2011, 08:00:25 AM »

The HDD issue goes way beyond that. HDD's are dirt cheap nowadays.
The USB port has always been there almost since the start of DSTV. It has never been enabled to function yet however.

I've had success in the past with taking the RCA cables and wirelessly transmitting those via a transmitter to a receiver and pushing through the signal to a 'TV/Video capture card' on my PC' Not an ideal solution but it worked at the time.
No idea if with the new DRM if that will even work though...

Epsilon · « **Reply #13 on:** March 27, 2011, 08:03:49 AM »

Quote from: spiff on March 26, 2011, 08:43:58 PM

what about putting a larger Hdd in the decoder? or a external drive as it has a usb connection already?

No chance in my opinion. They are following the Apple approach to hardware. Want a better unit with more storage... ? Buy it and pay more. No upgrade options.

spiff · « **Reply #14 on:** March 27, 2011, 10:37:35 AM »

thanks Epsilon

I came across this post

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/199055-SD-PVR-with-Sata-Hard-Drive

glad to see there is hope if my sdpvr Hdd packs up

Author Topic: SOLVED: DSTV and DVD Recorder Recording Issue (Read 5384 times)

Jason

SOLVED: DSTV and DVD Recorder Recording Issue

Epsilon

Re: SOLVED: DSTV and DVD Recorder Recording Issue

Jason

Re: SOLVED: DSTV and DVD Recorder Recording Issue

Jason

Re: SOLVED: DSTV and DVD Recorder Recording Issue

Jason

Re: SOLVED: DSTV and DVD Recorder Recording Issue

chantiesDad

Re: SOLVED: DSTV and DVD Recorder Recording Issue

Epsilon

Re: SOLVED: DSTV and DVD Recorder Recording Issue

Jason

Re: SOLVED: DSTV and DVD Recorder Recording Issue

chantiesDad

Re: SOLVED: DSTV and DVD Recorder Recording Issue

spiff

Re: SOLVED: DSTV and DVD Recorder Recording Issue

Epsilon

Re: SOLVED: DSTV and DVD Recorder Recording Issue

spiff

Re: SOLVED: DSTV and DVD Recorder Recording Issue

Epsilon

Re: SOLVED: DSTV and DVD Recorder Recording Issue

Epsilon

Re: SOLVED: DSTV and DVD Recorder Recording Issue

spiff

Re: SOLVED: DSTV and DVD Recorder Recording Issue