Question: Can I make a copy of a DVD, DVR, or VHS recording that I made from HBO?
Answer: HBO and some other cable and Network programmers are beginning to copy-protect some of their programs on a random basis. The type of copy protection that is being used allows an initial recording (such as to a hard drive of a DVD recorder/Hard Drive combo, a Cable DVR, TIVO, or direct to DVD or VHS), but will not allow the initial recording to be copied again (such as making a copy from a DVD recorder hard drive or Cable DVR to DVD, or from DVD to DVD or DVD to VHS).
Unfortunately there is no way around this with consumer equipment. This would be the same no matter what brand or model of DVD recorder you have. It is simply the luck of the draw as to which programs are copy-protected. You will see an increase of this practice, especially as HDTV becomes more popular and the possibility of Blu-ray Disc recorders eventually reaching the consumer.
For more information on HBO's copy-protection policy, check out their FAQs on Copyprotection.
