Apparatus (10) for digital recording of a program comprises: a processor (45) for determining whether to record the program; a circular buffer (55) associated with the processor (45) and operative to store the program in response to a recording determination received from the processor (45); a conditional access module (135) for providing conditional access to the program stored in the circular buffer (55); and input apparatus (115) operatively associated with the processor (45), wherein: upon receiving a freeze indication via the input apparatus (115), the processor (45) is operative to record the program in the circular buffer (55) from a moment of receiving the freeze indication, and upon receiving a play indication via the input apparatus (115), the processor (45) is operative to play the program recorded in the circular buffer (55) from the moment of receiving the freeze indication in accordance with conditions determined by the conditional access module (135).