Copying VHS to Panasonic DVD recorder

[Stoney Jackson]

What is the cheapest device that I can use to copy my old Video tapes that have Macrovision? I am not interested in copying DVDs, just my tapes.
Thanks in advance.

[wingnut]

Hi there,


whereare you in the world, (nothing on your profile),

here in the UK the cheapest unit I could find that has good word of mouth on VHS-> DVD Recorders is from these guys

http://www.sonel.com/

All the other units I could find seem to be at least £50 more expensive.

Cheers

Ed

[Bob W]

http://www.squeakersneakers.com/vs.htm or if you want one with s-video in/out then there is this device http://www.facetvideo.com/

[handyguy]

I should try this but why don't you see if it works? Put in a blank vhs play it & push record on the panasonic for 15 seconds then switch the blank with the video you want to copy. I read somewhere that it only checks for protection in the first ten seconds.

Have fun & let us know if it works.

[dvd-dude]

I too would like to know how to make this work. I have a Panasonic DMR-E80H DVD/HD recorder. Some of my old VHS tapes copy without a problem, however I've had a few that won't. The DVD recorder says "Not allowed to copy this material." They tend to be my Disney VHS tapes and a few random others.

I read somewhere that a Sima Video Copy Master (SED EM) box would solve that problem. I went out and spent the $50 and got home only to find out that it didn't. I read up some more on forums and found out that the Sima SCC Video Color Corrector (SMA SCC) was supposed to have an additional layer of copy protection removal so I went back and exchanged my Copy Master for the Color Corrector and threw in an additional $50. I got home and once again the issue wasn't fixed.

It appears as though there is no way to back up my copy protected VHS tapes to DVD-R using the DVD Recorder I bought. I love the recorder... simple, effective, and great (especially the internal hard drive). However, I am pretty upset that I can't backup and convert my old VHS tapes.

I tried the other suggestion of waiting 15 seconds and switching... it didn't work. The same warning popped up on the screen and it stopped the recording as soon as the copy-protected tape started playing. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. Otherwise I guess it'll just be a long time before I am able to get rid of my VCR.

Maybe I will be able to fix this problem with a computer editing machine (I hope to buy one someday soon). Problem is then it's a lot of extra steps. Thanks!

DVD Dude

[wingnut]

DVD Dude

there are a lot of people who are transferring copy protected VHS tapes to DVD using Panasonic DVD Recorders, (just check out http://www.thewholewideweb.com/forum/default.asp?CAT_ID=7 to see) however, black boxes that allow VHS to be copied to VHS dont work as well, (or at all), with some DVD recorders.

This is, as other posters have said in this and other threads, the DVD recorders also honour the CGMS protection that most VHS recorders ignore.

In the UK lots of people have recommended the box from Sonel for PAL panasonic E50/E30 & HS2 - and I have one on order at the moment - in the US the consensus seems to be the best bet is a TBC100 time base corrector but that's a pricey option, others in the forum seem to have had success with certain brand black boxes.

Also, and I mean no offence, check the lead is not in bypass mode or, (as some people posted on a UK forum), if the blackbox is wired into a "smart lead" that it is fitted the right way around with respect to your VHS player and DVD recorder.

Do you know anyone with another type of box you could possibly borrow and try out?

Hope some of this helps you out.


Cheers

Edz

[Redtop]

Hi All, I just bought the E80H myself. I tried to copy VHS to DVD using the Sima Box and It didn't work. It just gave me a green color screen. Then I tried to hook it up through my Yamaha receiver and that didn't work. I'm waiting for my clarifier macrovision box to arrive and I will try that. When I tried recording VHS to DVD it didn't give me any error messages saying it can't copy. one thing i did notice is, when i loop everything to my receiver and then tried to record the record button wouldn't work. I will let everyone know what happens when i try the Clarifier box soon.

Dan

[handyguy]

I got one of those generic copy boxes & it works fine. But if you can find a macrovision free vhs deck & or dvd deck, youre all set. Plenty of info:
http://www.digital-digest.com/dvd/articles/macrovision.html

[Redtop]

Thanks for that info. I have a sony HF VCR. When I hook up the sima box between my dvd player and record dvd to VHS I have no problem with the copyguard. When I tried hooking my VHS to The DVD recorder with the sima box it will not work. I didn't know Marovision was planted inside the VCR. Hopefully the Clarifier box will work with all.


I'm still new at this and Just got my Panasonic DVD E80H Recorder yesterday. I still haven't had time to figure everthing out yet.

Thanks for your help.

Redtop