You can record this with the cable receiver

Actually everything should be easier. Digital recorders provide the best picture and sound quality, although they are easy to use and can be programmed for recordings. But not all program providers are enthusiastic about it.


Control signals control recordings


Hard disk recorders offer the advantage of storing large numbers of broadcasts at will and to easily skip parts of the program shown. This can weaken subscription or order services (video on demand), which is something the provider of Sky misses. The private users, in turn, are afraid that the viewer will advance as soon as an advertising block starts. This threatens their main source of income. Such program providers therefore want to control the recording and playback behavior of the viewers. And digital technology allows them.


The digital receivers of the cable network operators or their CI-Plus modules react to control signals (flags) from the individual program providers, which can be used to control hard disk recording at home. You can influence them at


For copying protection reasons, the program providers also differentiate between the TV receivers. If the hard disk is integrated in the cable network operator's receiver, the recording restrictions are different than for non-networked receivers that use a CI-Plus module and an external HDD for decrypting.


Test: Cable Receiver Sagemcom RCI88-1000


Disturbances between the network operators are causing further confusion. While the corresponding transmitters operate uniformly during the satellite reception, the TV cable is different so far. The current differences are summarized in our info table. Listed are cable network operators from one million connected households.


The restrictions apply only to the high-definition channels of the stations. Cable subscription operators' subscription programs are also not affected. Also ARD and ZDF do not restrict the recording possibilities.


Download: Table


Archive recordings by prohibiting broadcasts on the hard disk for longer periods of time, prohibiting timeshift recordings by delaying broadcasting or slowing the recording time to 90 minutes, skip scenes by prohibiting "fast-forwarding"