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DVD to VCR

D

Darius

Banned
Hey guys!

I wanted to know about the DVD Copy Protection Schemes that will not allow an owner of a DVD to make a backup on VHS tape. I tried to record from a stand alone DVD player with a standard VHS player. I connected the DVD Video Out to the Surround Processor Unit (a stand alone device which has my TV, DVD, and VCR all connected.) Can you tell the trick or if it is not possible to record from my DVD Video Output into the VCR.

Thanks,
Darius
 
DVDs have a copy protection mechanism built into them called Macrovision. Macrovision puts gain "spikes" into the video signal of copy-protected videos that wreaks havoc with the Automatic Gain Controller present in all VHS-compatible VCRs. The automatic gain controller tries to set the white levels in the picture; the spikes make the picture alternate between very bright and very dark within seconds, making the resulting recording unwatchable.

There ARE standalone Macrovision eliminators available, but they can only be found on the black market because Macrovision has patented virtually all of the eliminating circuits and sues anyone who tries to make one.

Your best bet is to find a recording device that does NOT have an automatic gain controller and record onto that. I don't know for a fact, but I am under the impression that most video capture cards for the computer and DV camcorders do NOT have this automatic gain controller and therefore can record the DVD signal. Anyone, please correct me if I'm wrong.
 
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