A hidden feature in Windows media center is that some TV shows can be blocked from being recorded. I use media center in Windows 7, but this is true for any media center edition.

This is controversial to say the least!

What happens is that a TV broadcaster marks a certain TV show as not being recordable.
Microsoft in their wisdom has decided that the wish of media companies is more important than the basic rights of the small consumer, so they silently accept the broadcasters stated wish to avoid recording the show.

Such arrogancy towards customers could only exist when a company has almost total monopoly on a market. Since Windows Media Center blocks TV recordings, Microsoft effectively states that they care more about the wish of media companies than the rights of their customers.

In Sweden we have the RIGHT to record whatever TV show we want as long as we can receive it and view it without breaking any laws. Period! The question of playing the media file is a completely different issue, but it is obviously allowed as long as it is for personal use.
There is no sense in this blocking of TV shows, and I hope you can join me in this protest.

Please voice your opinion! Contact microsoft and complain! You are their customer after all.
<a href="http://support.microsoft.com/contactus" title="http://support.microsoft.com/contactus">http://support.microsoft.com/contactus</a>

Or better yet, vote with your feet and use a free media center like:
GeeXboX <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GeeXboX" title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GeeXboX">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GeeXboX</a>
LinuxMCE <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LinuxMCE" title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LinuxMCE">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LinuxMCE</a>

Or a version of MythTV like:
Mythbuntu <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mythbuntu" title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mythbuntu">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mythbuntu</a>

Update: apparently this is a known issue since 2008. Look here at EFF for further information <a href="http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2008/05/update-nbc-and-microsoft" title="http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2008/05/update-nbc-and-microsoft">http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2008/05/update-nbc-and-microsoft</a>

Have a nice media-centered life!
/Jonas