# Are DVD recorders hampered by DRM?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dvd-recorders-hampered-by-drm/437931>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 16, 2008, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dvd-recorders-hampered-by-drm/437931 "2008-02-16T23:39:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dvd-recorders-hampered-by-drm/437931/1 "2008-02-16T23:39:43Z")

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I mean the set-top kind as opposed to for your computer. I was considering getting a recorder so I could get some of the stuff off my DVR, and also maybe to put some of my VHS on DVD. I have no intention, as far as I know, of breaking the law - just asking about the DRM situation with these devices. Is there anything on them to keep me from recording stuff from my DVR? How about commercial DVDs?

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**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dvd-recorders-hampered-by-drm/437931/2 "2008-02-16T23:42:32Z")

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You can’t digitally copy a DVD with a DVD recorder. Many DVD recorders respect Macrovision copy protection, so recording a VHS tape can be a problem. However, any DVDs you create will be free of DRM.