Am I Blocked from Recording Some Shows?

Desert_Guy

I tried to record an upcoming program on my local PBS station. (The show was Great Performances, one of PBS' crown jewels.) The "Record" option didn't appear on that program's program details, as it does on others.

The rep I talked to at Spectrum said some shows are simply blocked from recording by copyright holders, stations, etc. Is this true? He verified that my cDVR service was working, but it also sounded like he was just trying to get me off the phone.

This isn't mentioned anywhere on Spectrum's website or in third party reviews of Spectrum cDVR service. If it's true, that's a significant limitation.

Tyleen_Z

Hello and welcome to the Spectrum Community.

There are times when some programs are not able to be recorded. This is a license issue and not something we have control over.

However I just tried to setup a recording on my own service and it shows the option to record series and it successfully setup to record the series. Are you able to try more than one device to setup the recording?

-Tyleen

Desert_Guy

Yes I tried it on the same program on a second Xumo box and had the same issue.

Tyleen_Z

Thank you! Can you please try to reset your modem to see if that helps? The app authenticates through the modem so that can help issues with the app.

-Tyleen

Desert_Guy

I rebooted the modem but whereas previously I could record some shows (usually daytime shows) now I don't see the "record" button on screen for any shows. Thanks anyway, Tyleen.

Edward_T

Hello @Desert_Guy;

I tested your account on our side and the record options show for the program. It maybe an issue with you not being properly logged into the app. Can you try going to the options and select the sign out option. When you open the app again, it should ask you to sign in again.

Desert_Guy

Thanks but which app should I log out of? I'm trying to record scheduled broadcast TV programs from my TV, which uses a Spectrum account an a Xumo box.

Renee_T

I apologize, I just want to make sure I'm understanding correctly. Are you using our Spectrum TV app on a Smart TV in addition to the Xumo box or just the Xumo box?

Desert_Guy

Hi Renee, I'm not aware of a Spectrum app on my smart TV. When I turn on my TV, Spectrum's TV menu is immediately on screen - see sample.

I do have a Xumo box on the TV although I'm not sure what it does.

HT_Greenfield

Are any programs or series you've previously scheduled to record via Spectrum TV Cloud DVR still showing up in the Spectrum TV Cloud DVR scheduled list and are any recordings thereof still showing up in the Spectrum TV Cloud DVR recordings list?

Desert_Guy

I just found the Spectrum video “How to use the Spectrum TV app in your Xumo stream box” and realized there is in fact a spectrum app on my tv that I have to open to record a scheduled program.

I followed the instructions for recording but I still don’t see a Record icon on the future programs listing as shown in theSpectrum video. Here is a screenshot for a program scheduled for tonight:

I found my library but the short trial recordings I made when I was on the phone with the spectrum rep a month ago aren’t there.

HT_Greenfield

"trial"? Hit 🔗 https://www.spectrum.net/services/tv and see if your subscription includes regular monthly-recurring Cloud DVR service.

Satch

Good Afternoon,

Let me chime in with some thoughts here. The Spectrum app and the XUMO Box are two different things. I think there is some confusion over what they can do and also how they can overlap.

Subscribers CAN get the Spectrum app on selected Smart TV and mobile device models and need to subscribe to cloud DVR service for recording functionality. (Like a Smart TV, Apple TV, or Rouku.)

A XUMO box does not care if your TV is smart or not. XUMO provides streaming services through a streaming box. The option of Cloud DVR service becomes required to record with a Xumo Box with two choices:

Cloud DVR- Records to the Cloud up to 50 shows, movies, and series, saves for 90 days.

Cloud DVR Plus- Records to the Cloud up to 100 shows, movies, and series, saves for 1 year (Best value.)

I don't see a XUMO box in @Desert_Guy's photo. Here's my recommendations:

1.) The moderator checked above and it shows that you should have Cloud DVR service. I would turn off everything, unplug, everything, for several minutes. See if could DVR service comes back after everything is rebooted. If you still don't have cloud DVR service, uninstall and reinstall the Spectrum app.

2.) If you still don't have Cloud DVR service call Spectrum and tell them that you can't get Cloud DVR service back despite rebooting the equipment.

3.) If this only gets fixed temporarily, consider getting a XUMO Box. Use that on your TV instead of the Spectrum app.

Satch

PS. The XUMO Box looks like this and is paired with the XUMO remote.: