Can you record most Dvds with a Dvd recorder?

For example, if I rent A Christmas Story on dvd (arbitrary choice), can I record it onto a blank dvd using a regular dvd recorder?

I've heard something about dvd recorders with hard drives not being able to copy factory issued dvds.

So whoever knows what you can and can't record- and with which type of players- please let me know.

The simple answer is no, they are all encoded with Macrovision. Also most factory pressed DVDs are whats called DVD9, which is dual layered 9GB. Most blank DVDs are DVD5 which is 4.7 GB, so the movie wouldnt fit even if it wasnt copy protected with Macrovision. However if you get a DVD recorder for a comptuter, it would be possible, however illegal.

That's what I was thinking... I tried to record a DVD to a VHS tape I rented at the movie store a few months ago(just out of curiousity) and it said "This disc is copy protected".

Originally posted by dlemond
Can you record most Dvds with a Dvd recorder?

For example, if I rent A Christmas Story on dvd (arbitrary choice), can I record it onto a blank dvd using a regular dvd recorder?

I've heard something about dvd recorders with hard drives not being able to copy factory issued dvds.

So whoever knows what you can and can't record- and with which type of players- please let me know.

I have, but only with cheaper DVDs. Most of them go for like 10 seconds and then the recorder says "Copy Protected" and stops.

Originally posted by theshark8777
The simple answer is no, they are all encoded with Macrovision. Also most factory pressed DVDs are whats called DVD9, which is dual layered 9GB. Most blank DVDs are DVD5 which is 4.7 GB, so the movie wouldnt fit even if it wasnt copy protected with Macrovision. However if you get a DVD recorder for a comptuter, it would be possible, however illegal.

It would fit...take a 90 min movie and it would fit onto a blank DVD recorded in SP.

With the size thing I was refering to extras and everything btw, so the movie itself would fit on the DVD. There are ways around macrovision, fairly cheap ways, maybe do a google search. Im also confusing the regular DVD recorder with the computer one, sorry about that.

Originally posted by theshark8777
With the size thing I was refering to extras and everything btw, so the movie itself would fit on the DVD. There are ways around macrovision, fairly cheap ways, maybe do a google search. Im also confusing the regular DVD recorder with the computer one, sorry about that.

Oh, ok. Mine's a stand alone...maybe it works in a different way than a computer one.

It's also a lemon, but that's a different story.

Even with the stand alone the DVDs are still copy protected. Same as most VHS used to be. When you used to try to copy VHS to VHS it would get dark and light... Kind of the same thing.

Originally posted by theshark8777
Even with the stand alone the DVDs are still copy protected. Same as most VHS used to be. When you used to try to copy VHS to VHS it would get dark and light... Kind of the same thing.

Been there. I've seen them darken and lighten, go red, bounce up and down...

I tried that one time and it ended up recording the early morning show:D

Originally posted by Brent88
That's what I was thinking... I tried to record a DVD to a VHS tape I rented at the movie store a few months ago(just out of curiousity) and it said "This disc is copy protected".

I did that once, and it did work. I've actually never ran into the Macrovision Copyright. It's supposed to be on ALL newer DVD players and VHS machines, but some seem to be immune.

Now, as to the original question, yes, you could copy the movie, you would need a computer to break the encryption, but, unless you want to go to jail, its better to pay the 9.95. ;)

One last note...They do sell Macrovision Aligners online and such which are supposed to straighten out the picture. I have no idea how good a job they do, but, again, it's still illegal.

I have lots of VHS tapes I copied off of TV so I can converting into a DVD. It takes a long time to get this thing complete. The pre-recorded ones on both VHS and DVD has an FBI Warning on it. I can copy a DVD from homemade VHS tapes without an FBI Warning, the pre-recorded ones doesn't copy. It has Macrovision.