Would an RF modulator help?

[Mechworker]

In the quest for backing up directly DVD to DVD-R, I had a thought last night.

Would running the DVD's output through an RF modulator work?

Wouldn't that convert the DVD's digital signal to an analog one, and maybe get rid of the csgma?

Any thoughts?

Also, I have begun hearing about digital video stabilizers - is there a difference between them and my normal Optex Video stabilizer? I was thinking of looking at the Electrohome VO760/761. Anyone ever used these?

Thanks!

[pyrohydra]

Um, what equipment are you using exactly? I'm guessing you're using a standalone recorder and you want to dub commercial DVDs to blank DVD-Rs. Unfortunately sending it through an RF modulator isn't going to get rid of Macrovision (Macrovision being an analog copy protection scheme), if that's what you're trying to do. Unless you're using a DVI output, every single one of the video outputs on your player is an analog one, hence there is no digital signal to be "converted", as far as that's concerned.

Basically, you need to provide more information.

[Mechworker]

You have surmised correctly:

I am trying to back up my commercial DVDs to DVD-R, so I can archive the originals. I have an RV-31K as my player and an E50 as my recorder.

I was thinking that CSGM/A is digital, so if I could convert it to analog with an RF modulator, it might work better.

However, if the signals coming out are analog already, I guess that wont' be much help, would it?

Is there any difference between a normal video stabilizer and a digitial one?

Thanks!

[pyrohydra]

Not quite sure what you mean by a "digital video stabilizer". All video stabilizers and TBCs are for analog signals, as digital signals require none of these.

If you want to buy a TBC, it should get rid of the Macrovision for you. However, your money would be better spent buying a computer DVD burner (less than $100 now in the US), and rip your DVDs that way. You will get much better quality backups as a result.

[Synergy]

I was thinking that CSGM/A is digital, so if I could convert it to analog with an RF modulator, it might work better.

"CGMS-A" is short for "Copy Generation Management System-Analog", (so you could imagine that CGMS-D also exists) and it's not digital as you suspected. The "digital video stabilizer" is supposed to eleminate the CGMS-A just like so-called "video stablizer" to eliminate Macrovision. Using an RF modulator only diminishes audio/video quality instead of getting rid of anything else.

[Capmaster]

In the quest for backing up directly DVD to DVD-R, I had a thought last night.

Would running the DVD's output through an RF modulator work?

Wouldn't that convert the DVD's digital signal to an analog one, and maybe get rid of the csgma?

Any thoughts?

Also, I have begun hearing about digital video stabilizers - is there a difference between them and my normal Optex Video stabilizer? I was thinking of looking at the Electrohome VO760/761. Anyone ever used these?

Thanks!

Hmmmmm .....I never considered that. he downside is that your quality will take a huge hit. Maybe it'll still be good enough since that's a personal call, but I probably wouldn't try it. I can see a huge difference using the RF output from a VCR compared to using composite

[spiderman2k1]

you need this www.facetvideo.com

[Mechworker]

Yeah, I've seen the Facet Video thing, but no one around here sells it, and getting it across the border into Canada would probably cost me lots in customs. Then I've got the problem of where to take it if it doesn't work!

The oddest thing of all is that I am able to, today, bring over stuff that wouldn't go the other day!

It must be something in the line voltage, as someone suspected in another thread. I'll tell you one thing, though - I won't be turning the unit off at all over night. I'll just leave it on and in standby.

Will this harm the E50 at all?

[vcdforme]

Just going thru a RF modulator???
No. it won't work, and like the other posts say, your quality will
take a hit. Instead of asking, try it and see. Use an old vcr.


Either put something in the chain that eliminates the Macrovision,
and other copyprotections. i.e. Avenger, Sima color corrector, etc.
Or find a way to convert to a DV stream into a computer burner.
Or, (the best way), Rip and burn on a computer.