Error while capturing from VHS

[ChaunceyK]

I've been capturing my homemade vhs's without a problem, but when I tried a store-bought vhs (from 1986 if that helps), I got the following error...

"video stream contains copy protection information"

...and it stops recording. Any suggestions on how to get around it?

[qlizard]

do a search for "macrovision" in the topic.
there are various ways around it, but they require hardware.

[RowMan]

By far the most simple solution for me for copy protected NTSC VHS to DVD recorder has been found here...

http://www.mcminone.com/ - Search for "digital video stabilizer"

Inexpensive and effective.

If you need to (or would rather use) S-VHS inputs or are doing copy protected PAL VHS to DVD recorder, I have friends who have the Clarifier Classic found here...

http://www.facetvideo.com

...and they say it works like a charm.

Note for Moderators: Was this response formatted correctly to conform with the new "no direct link to Macrovision bypass methods" rule?

[ChaunceyK]

I'm a little fuzzy on how to use this item, even after looking at the pic. I understand what it does, but how to connect it is where I'm lost.

I've got my vcr, with 2 audio lines & 1 video line connecting it to my computer.

Where would this item go in that configuration?

[qlizard]

Note - some digital camcorders have TBC (time base correction) built in. if you pass-through on them it should knock out the macrovision. just a suggestion to test if you have a digital camcorder.

[RowMan]

I'm a little fuzzy on how to use this item, even after looking at the pic. I understand what it does, but how to connect it is where I'm lost.

I've got my vcr, with 2 audio lines & 1 video line connecting it to my computer.

Where would this item go in that configuration?

VCR video output to stabilizer input.
Then, stabilizer output to computer video input.
Connect VCR audio output directly to computer audio input.

[ChaunceyK]

Thank you gentlemen, I appreciate your help. I understand now.

[olyteddy]

Am I missing something? My Hauppauge PVR USB2 doesn't seem to have a problem with Macrovision...

[ChaunceyK]

I wouldn't know for certain, but perhaps the Macrovision used on older tapes is different from that used on more recent tapes? My tape is from 1986.

[FulciLives]

Am I missing something? My Hauppauge PVR USB2 doesn't seem to have a problem with Macrovision...

Some capture devices ignore copy protection. The Hauppauge WinTV PVR USB2 is one such device.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[ChaunceyK]

Mine is a Hauppauge WinTV PVR PCI II...perhaps one of my settings needs to be adjusted?

[FulciLives]

Mine is a Hauppauge WinTV PVR PCI II...perhaps one of my settings needs to be adjusted?

Huh?

I've never heard of the Hauppauge WinTV PVR PCI II

My comment about the Hauppauge WinTV PVR USB2 refers to the "941 model" which is different from the "MCE model". MCE is short for "Windows Media Center Edition" and I would not be surprised if the MCE models recognize copy protection.

However I do know for a fact that the following non-MCE units ignore copy protection:

Hauppauge WinTV PVR 150 (PCI Internal)
Hauppauge WinTV PVR 250 (PCI Internal)
Hauppauge WinTV PVR 350 (PCI Internal)
Hauppauge WinTV PVR USB2 (USB 2.0 External Device)

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
Windows Media Center Edition is utter crap

[ChaunceyK]

I've never heard of the Hauppauge WinTV PVR PCI II

Double-checked it in the Device Manager, that's what it says. (shrug)

But yes, I do have MCE. And while I wouldn't go so far as to call it "crap", I don't care for (and therefore don't use) the Media Center, and I have also had a couple of problems with the O/S in general since I got it almost a year ago.