I've noticed a lot of fuss lately about being able to copy files digitally, and it has me confused.

As an example, I've seen people complaining about the new Foxtel PVR and the fact that you can't copy the files out digitally via a USB or FireWire port. But surely you can copy them out via the video port? For instance, to a VCR or DVD recorder?

Colvin Dalby, Springwood, NSW

Yes, you can copy files from the Foxtel IQ or from a DVD player or other digital video source such as your PC via the analog video port, but there are a couple of BIG disadvantages.

Quality: By going out from digital to analog, to digital, you lose quality. We harp about that here on HelpStation, but it's important. It's the same sort of thing as opening and then re-saving a JPEG still picture - you lose quality each time.

Time: You can copy a digital file quite quickly, but an analog signal has to be copied in real time. For example, a 2-hour video takes ... wait for it ... two hours to copy. Depending on how you're copying it digitally, it can take less than a minute, or at least considerably less than two hours..

Fitting it: Copying a program via the analog signal means that you may or may not have enough space on the destination - either a tape or a DVD. It's a gamble. By making a digital copy you'll know in advance. And you're less likely to waste space.

The same applies to audio files.


Paul Zucker