Using device with DVDR-VCR combo

me · Member Joined: 11 Aug 2003

I have a Sansui DVDR-VCR combo. I find it a convenient way to back up VHS to DVD, much simpler than going through my computer. Put the VHS tape on one side, the blank DVD on the other, and press a button.

Except--doesn't work of course if the VHS tape is copy-protected. After a couple minutes, the recording stops, with an error message.

I know there are devices that can defeat the Macrovision and Copyguard signals, to put in between the playback and recording devices. I was surprised to even see such a device at Best Buy the other day. (I think the brand name was Sima.) (Of course, they don't advertise it as such, but as for "improving" the picture, etc., with a disclaimer not to use it for copying protected materials.)

That could be one disadvantage of using such a combo device. OF course one could use a separate VCR as the input, with this device in between, but that kind of contradicts the convenience of having purchased the combo unit in the first place.

Is there any way to use such a protection-removing device with a combo unit? For instance, having video out from the unit go into the device, and video out from the device go into video in in the unit.? Then, if one set it up to record VCR to DVD, would it know to send the VCR signal thorough video out, and have the video in signal going to the recording DVD?

Any way to do this, short of using a separate VCR? Anyone tired it, with any such combo unit?

redwudz · Mod Neophyte Joined: 07 Sep 2002 Location: AZ, USA

Those units are specifically designed to prevent you from doing that. Unless you could open up the case and internally take the vhs deck output and run it through an external box, then back into the DVD section, it doesn't seem likely to have a simple solution.