<< Macrovision causes signal degradation somehow. The ciruitry for it is present in every VCR I've ever heard of. If the tape has the protection, then the VCR enables the Macrovision degradation of the signal. Theoretically, the signal is not harmed for viewing, just for copying. In practice, sometimes the viewing is degraded on the original as well.
I have a Daewoo DVD player which has non-fuctioning Macrovision protecton. It's a factory defect on that particular model, fixed with a later revision. So I can copy DVD's to my S-VHS VCR with no artificial loss of quality at all. I was aware of the defective nature of that model of Daewooo DVD player before I bought it. 🙂 >>
Macrovision can cause signal degradation. It's primary role is to interfere with the function of AGC circuitry used in VHS system. All TV/VCR combos have their line inputs connected through VCR first and you won't be able to play DVD or copy-protected video tape through an externally connected VCR without using "macrovision remover box". I had to build a Macrovision remover kit so I can play copy protected tapes on my TV/VCR combo through external VCR. Your average built-in VCR is non hi-fi and it simply sounds like crap. Even if you only use one of two sound channels, sound played through hi-fi VCR sounds much better, especially if you record in EP mode. Some VCR lets you select between normal and hi-fi track. Next time you watch something on VHS tape record it on EP mode, try comparing regular track and hi-fi track.
