Protecting Recorded TV Programs

Protecting Recorded TV Programs
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In this document:
Important information about recorded TV programs
Preparing the code key files
Making the backup CD
Using the code key backup CD after a system recovery
This document pertains to the HP Media Center PC using Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.
When you record TV programs using Media Center, the TV program broadcaster may have an encryption code that Microsoft includes as a special code in the recorded files. This code is keyed to your PC and is required to play broadcaster-encrypted TV programs previously recorded to your hard disk drive, copied to DVD, or copied to other media. When you perform a system recovery or replace the hard disk drive in your PC, you lose the special code that is stored on your computer.
You can safeguard your capability to play recorded TV programs by making a backup CD and using it as described in this document. Make the backup CD now, before you need it, so that you can use the CD after you perform a system recovery or replace the hard disk drive in your PC. If you do not have the backup CD after you perform a system recovery or replace the hard disk drive, you will not be able to play any previously recorded TV programs that are broadcaster encrypted.
The procedures that follow describe how to prepare your PC, make the backup files you need, copy the file to CD, and use the backup CD to restore the files to your PC after a system recovery.
To safeguard your recorded TV programs you need to:

Prepare the code key files.
Make a backup CD.
Perform a system recovery, if necessary.
Use the code key backup CD after a system recovery.

Important information about recorded TV programs
When you replace the hard disk drive, you lose any files or software that you created, saved, or installed on the PC. You also lose a special code that Microsoft includes in the files of the recorded TV programs.
Without the code, Media Center will not play the TV programs previously recorded to disk or copied to DVD or to other media.

Preparing the code key files

After you set up your PC and turn it on, complete the initial Microsoft Windows setup. Open Media Center and complete its setup.
Record at least one TV program.
Close Media Center.
Open the Microsoft Backup utility: Click Start on the taskbar, choose All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then click Backup. The Backup or Restore Wizard opens.

NOTE: The code key files and backup CD you make can be used in your PC only.
Click the Advanced Mode link near the middle of the window.
At the top of the Backup Utility window, click Tools and select Options.
Click the Exclude Files tab.
In the Files excluded for all users box, put your cursor over the vertical line between Filename and Application in the title bar, and then click and drag the line to the right to see the full list of entries.
Scroll down the list to see and then click the entry: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\DRM\*
Click Remove, click Apply, and then click OK. The Options window closes.
In the Backup Utility window, click the Backup tab.
In the left box, click the plus sign (+) for Local Disk (C:). The file tree expands. Click the plus sign (+) for Documents and Settings, click the plus sign (+) for All Users, and then click the DRM box so a check mark appears.
Scroll down the list and click the System State box so a check mark appears.
At the bottom of the window, beneath Backup media or file name, click Browse. Because a floppy is too small to save the backup, you need to save the file to the desktop portion of the hard disk drive before writing the file to CD. If the message Insert a disk into drive A appears, click Cancel.
The Save as window opens. In the Save as type box, select Desktop from the drop-down list. In the Save as box, use the default name (Backup.bkf), or type a file name with the extension .bkf and then click Save. The window closes.
Click Start Backup in the Backup Utility window. The Backup Job Information window opens.
Click Start Backup. The Backup Progress window opens. When the process finishes, the window displays the message The backup is complete.
Click Close.
Close the Backup Utility window. Continue with the next procedure.

Making the backup CD

Click Start on the taskbar, choose All Programs, RecordNow!, and then click RecordNow! again.
The RecordNow! window opens.
Insert a blank CD.
Select the Data Projects tab, and then click Data Disc.
Click Continue.
Click Add Files and Folders.
The Select files and folders to add window opens.
In the Look in box, select Desktop from the drop-down list.
Click the backup file (for example, Backup.bkf) so it appears in the File name box. Click Add.
The window closes.
In the RecordNow! window, click the red Burn icon. If a warning window opens, click OK.
Wait while the program writes to the CD and the disc tray ejects.
Remove the CD, label it, and store it in a safe place for use with the next procedure. Click Done.
Close the RecordNow! window.
Because you do not need the backup file you created, drag the file to the Recycle Bin on the desktop.

Using the code key backup CD after a system recovery

NOTE: Before you perform a system recovery, it is important that you disconnect any external hard disk drives, such as the HP Personal Media Drive, to avoid data loss. A system recovery erases all content on an external hard disk drive that is connected to the PC.

Insert the backup CD you made into a drive. The drive window opens and shows the disc contents.
Or
If the window does not open automatically, click Start, My Computer, and then right-click the drive icon to view the contents of your backup disc.
Double-click the backup file (for example, Backup.bkf). The Backup or Restore Wizard opens.
Click Next.
Choose Restore files and settings, and then click Next.
When the What to restore window opens, click Browse, and the Browse window shows the A: drive.
Click Browse again, and the window shows Select file to catalog.
Click the drop-down menu arrow, and click the optical drive with the backup CD.
Click the backup file name.
Click Open, and then click OK.
In the Items to restore box, click the plus sign (+) for the backup file name. The file tree expands. Click the C box so a check mark appears. Click the System State box so a check mark appears.
Click Next.
The Backup or Restore Wizard window shows the message You have created the following restore settings. In the window, click the Advanced button. Click Next.
A warning message window opens. Click OK in the Warning window.
Select Replace existing files, and then click Next. Click Next again. Click Finish. The Restore Progress window opens.
Wait until the process completes, and click Close in the Restore Progress window.
A Backup Utility message window opens. Click Yes to restart the PC. Wait until the restart completes.
Open Media Center and complete the setup. You can now play previously recorded TV programs that are broadcaster encrypted.