Just got a vcr/dvd recorder...

[Cougar]

I'm not trying to break the law in any way (before anyone asks) but how can I transfer my vhs tapes to dvd when they're copy protected with macrovision? I know the quality will still suck but some of the movies I have aren't on dvd yet so I'd like to make a copy just in case they never make it to disc and my tape gets chewed up.

Is it possible to accomplish this or am I screwed until my movies come out on DVD?

 

[BigToque]

Originally posted by: Cougar
I'm not trying to break the law in any way (before anyone asks) but how can I transfer my vhs tapes to dvd when they're copy protected with macrovision? I know the quality will still suck but some of the movies I have aren't on dvd yet so I'd like to make a copy just in case they never make it to disc and my tape gets chewed up.

Is it possible to accomplish this or am I screwed until my movies come out on DVD?

All seriousness aside, I can't answer your question

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

and your definition of breaking the law is what?

 

[randomlinh]

they have macrovision encoded VHS tapes?!

 

[NeoPTLD]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
they have macrovision encoded VHS tapes?!

Been around since 90s

 

[OdiN]

What brand is it? If it's an Apex it probably has a way to do it.

 

[Shawn]

And this is why those vhs/dvd-rw combos are completely worthless.

 

[Cougar]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
and your definition of breaking the law is what?

well, ok, so I guess I am breaking the law by copying the tapes, but i'm not trying to do this for distribution. I just want to get the video onto a dvd 'cause some of the tapes are starting to get a bit messed up from frequent viewing. If it comes down to having a crappy digital video or a dead tape then i'll take the crappy digital video any day.

 

[Cougar]

Originally posted by: OdiN
What brand is it? If it's an Apex it probably has a way to do it.

It's an LG. I had a hard time finding one that could read and write all dvd formats and it came down to the LG and I think a panasonic. The LG was cheaper so I went with it.

The model I got is right here:

New toy

 

[deftron]

nm

 

[Cougar]

Originally posted by: Shawn
And this is why those vhs/dvd-rw combos are completely worthless.

I hadn't exactly bought this for the sole purpose of copying vhs to dvd...that's just one of the things I was hoping to accomplish. My main goal was to replace an aging dvd player that started having problems playing rented discs and to consolidate and free up some space in my bedroom. Plus I had a gift certificate that I needed to spend

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
and your definition of breaking the law is what?

He is not breaking the law if he owns the original and is making the copies for personal use.

 

[Pepsi90919]

macrovision works by fooling the automatic gain control circuits in VCRs. it sends out a signal every 8 seconds (something like that) to fool AGCs to crank up the brightness. TVs don't have these and so they aren't interpreted.

if you can find an old VCR (really old) that doesn't do such a thing, bob's your uncle.

 

[Baked]

There are ways around it, but I don't know. And don't PM me, 'cause I really don't know.

 

[Cougar]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
macrovision works by fooling the automatic gain control circuits in VCRs. it sends out a signal every 8 seconds (something like that) to fool AGCs to crank up the brightness. TVs don't have these and so they aren't interpreted.

if you can find an old VCR (really old) that doesn't do such a thing, bob's your uncle.

I wish I did have an old vcr but any old units i've had died long ago. my oldest model is maybe 10 years old. I think I'm screwed

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: AlienCraft

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
and your definition of breaking the law is what?

He is not breaking the law if he owns the original and is making the copies for personal use.

Thanks to the DMCA, he is. But who cares.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: AlienCraft

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
and your definition of breaking the law is what?

He is not breaking the law if he owns the original and is making the copies for personal use.

Thanks to the DMCA, he is. But who cares.

No, he's not because there is not encryption.

Viper GTS

 

[compuwiz1]

Well, as far as I'd be concerned, there is nothing morally wrong with what he's doing. I don't think it should be illegal to back up your own media.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: AlienCraft

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
and your definition of breaking the law is what?

He is not breaking the law if he owns the original and is making the copies for personal use.

Thanks to the DMCA, he is. But who cares.

No, he's not. Changing the media type, FOR PERSONAL USE, was never outlawed.
If it were, then there would not be a tax on blank tape media for use by the record labels for royalty offset. LP's to cassette is the most frequently used case of the FAIR USE CLAUSE of the various copyright infringement acts. VHS to DVD for PERSONAL USE is the same thing.

 

[flexy]

there are like 100 replies and no answer (at least not in the first dozen replies i read)

You can buy this el-cheapo rf-modulator box at blockbuster or BB or anywhere and plug video-out in the video-in of the box - the resulting RF signal has no macrovision. You muight look into that or google around...there might be similair stuff with an video-out too..so you plug whatever in the box and video-out might have no copy protection

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: flexy
there are like 100 replies and no answer (at least not in the first dozen replies i read)

You can buy this el-cheapo rf-modulator box at blockbuster or BB or anywhere and plug video-out in the video-in of the box - the resulting RF signal has no macrovision. You muight look into that or google around...there might be similair stuff with an video-out too..so you plug whatever in the box and video-out might have no copy protection

If he has an all in one unit that won't help him much.

Viper GTS

 

[flexy]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005.../104-1217376-8062326?v=glance&n=172282

recoton is the brand...

 

[Cougar]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: flexy
there are like 100 replies and no answer (at least not in the first dozen replies i read)

You can buy this el-cheapo rf-modulator box at blockbuster or BB or anywhere and plug video-out in the video-in of the box - the resulting RF signal has no macrovision. You muight look into that or google around...there might be similair stuff with an video-out too..so you plug whatever in the box and video-out might have no copy protection

If he has an all in one unit that won't help him much.

Viper GTS

I've still got my stand-alone vcr and it works pretty well...I didn't think one of those modulators would do the trick. I had bought one for my sister 'cause her tv didn't have any a/v inputs...maybe I can borrow it from her and see if it'll work

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: Cougar

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: flexy
there are like 100 replies and no answer (at least not in the first dozen replies i read)

You can buy this el-cheapo rf-modulator box at blockbuster or BB or anywhere and plug video-out in the video-in of the box - the resulting RF signal has no macrovision. You muight look into that or google around...there might be similair stuff with an video-out too..so you plug whatever in the box and video-out might have no copy protection

If he has an all in one unit that won't help him much.

Viper GTS

I've still got my stand-alone vcr and it works pretty well...I didn't think one of those modulators would do the trick. I had bought one for my sister 'cause her tv didn't have any a/v inputs...maybe I can borrow it from her and see if it'll work

Taking the analog video signal and applying it to the analog input of the DVDR will render a Macrovision Free DVD.

 

[Cougar]

Originally posted by: AlienCraft

Originally posted by: Cougar

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: flexy
there are like 100 replies and no answer (at least not in the first dozen replies i read)

You can buy this el-cheapo rf-modulator box at blockbuster or BB or anywhere and plug video-out in the video-in of the box - the resulting RF signal has no macrovision. You muight look into that or google around...there might be similair stuff with an video-out too..so you plug whatever in the box and video-out might have no copy protection

If he has an all in one unit that won't help him much.

Viper GTS

I've still got my stand-alone vcr and it works pretty well...I didn't think one of those modulators would do the trick. I had bought one for my sister 'cause her tv didn't have any a/v inputs...maybe I can borrow it from her and see if it'll work

Taking the analog video signal and applying it to the analog input of the DVDR will render a Macrovision Free DVD.

How cool...I'll have to give it a shot. Thanks