System and method for recording analog and digital signals, and for error recovery in recording

A method of error recovery for a video recording apparatus capable of recording in one of a digital recording mode and an analog recording mode, the method comprising:

• a. initializing the video recording apparatus to operate in a delay operating mode;
• b. receiving one of a digital video bit stream for recording in said digital recording mode and a corresponding analog video signal for recording in said analog recording mode;
• c. recording said digital video bit stream in said digital recording mode in response to first copyright information received from an electronic program guide;
• and
• d. switching to said analog recording mode for recording said corresponding analog video signal in response to second copyright information received in said digital video bit stream.

A method of operating a video recording apparatus in one of a digital recording mode and an analog recording mode, the method comprising:

• a. receiving one of a digital video bit stream for recording in said digital recording mode and a corresponding analog video signal for recording in said analog recording mode;
• b. selecting said digital recording mode;
• c. detecting a status of said video recording apparatus, said status having one of no-fault condition and a fault condition of the video recording apparatus related to a selected recording mode in view of the received one of the digital video bit stream and the corresponding analog video signal;
• d. recording said digital video bit stream in said digital recording mode in response to said no-fault condition;
• and
• e. switching from said digital recording mode to said analog recording mode for recording said corresponding analog video signal in response to said fault condition.