Pioneer DVR-233

[MeekloBraca]

Does anbody know if this model of pioneer has macrovision enabled on it? Id like to convert some VHS tapes over to DVD.

[FulciLives]

Does anbody know if this model of pioneer has macrovision enabled on it? Id like to convert some VHS tapes over to DVD.

No go ... it will detect MACROVISION and CGMS/A ... the best work-a-round is to use a Full Frame TBC device but the cheapest one out there is like $195 USD ... the next cheapest would be to use a device that is NOT a Full Frame TBC but still removes the copy protection. Prices are all over the place for such devices as many exist but some users have said that the THE CLARIFIER by FACET VIDEO works well and it is only $69.95 USD

I noticed they have an "upgraded" model called THE CLARIFIER SX which adds some features including one that sounds "important" ... and I quote ... "Tracking Modes for enhanced compatibility with VCR playback devices"

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[MeekloBraca]

10-4 there John thanks a bunch.

Ive done some searching and came accross this website with this product... do you know anything about it?

http://www.checkhere22.com/stabilizer.html

And if so can you recommend it?

oh hey, throw me your opinion on this device is you can....

https://www.videohelp.com/dvdrecorders.php?DVDname=LG+LRA-536&hdsize=Any&orderby=Name&h...&Search=Search

Looks like some good votes and its probably not macrovision free but i got a friend who is willing to get it cheap. Is it a good piece?

[FulciLives]

10-4 there John thanks a bunch.

Ive done some searching and came accross this website with this product... do you know anything about it?

http://www.checkhere22.com/stabilizer.html

And if so can you recommend it?

Some people have used this device and say that it works (I have seen it for as much as $100 +) but this is a REALLY old design. I doubt it works well and even if it "works" it probably degrades the image quality.

However for $30 you ain't gonna find cheaper so maybe it's worth a try?

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[MeekloBraca]

I updated my post there while you were replying.

That was what I was thinking regarding the video deterorating a bit through transfer. Hopefully not. Can you recommend a good one of those that you know is solid at a reasonable price?

[MeekloBraca]

But then, isnt the purpose of the stablizer to block out certain video waves?

[FulciLives]

The best way to get around copy protection is to use a Full Frame TBC such as the AVT-8710 but then you are up to $190 USD.

If I was on a "budget" I would try the CLARIFIER SX but even then you are up to $130 USD

I just know what I read here ... haven't used any of the COPY PROTECTION removal devices myself.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[MeekloBraca]

Ill try thr 70 dollar facet video thing if the other device doesnt work. Ill post my results for people to read when I get more info. This has been a huge headache that I cant wait to get done.

[trhouse]

Why not consider a Lite-On recorder? They have firmware hacks that allow them to do what you want without external devices.

[MeekloBraca]

Im not sure where I can get one of those from? Im not willing to buy off a website that doesnt have a store near me, just in case I have to return it.

[FulciLives]

Ill try thr 70 dollar facet video thing if the other device doesnt work. Ill post my results for people to read when I get more info. This has been a huge headache that I cant wait to get done.

I recall threads on it and some people seemed to think it worked A-OK but other people said they saw a slight bit of "jitter" in the picture. This is why I suggested the newer SX version. That version wasn't around then. Perhaps it solved the "jitter" problem.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[MeekloBraca]

I can buy a Lite-On recorder for 185 canadian. Pretty good price. Theres so many models though, seems like perhaps the 5005 is the best? I have read there is a way aruond those.

[FulciLives]

I can buy a Lite-On recorder for 185 canadian. Pretty good price. Theres so many models though, seems like perhaps the 5005 is the best? I have read there is a way aruond those.

I think most models can be hacked to not recognize copy protection but they all seem to have other issues about them that make them slightly less than perfect. The Lite-On units use the LSI chipset which is a great chipset but they are made less-than-perfect. They are a bit "flaky".

The ADS Instant DVD 2.0 is an external USB 2.0 hardware MPEG capture device with very nice quality and it ignores copy protection. I had one for a spell but returned it ... not for lack of quality ... but only becaues it is very limited to scheduling recordings.

However the ADS Instant TV Deluxe USB is anther USB 2.0 hardware MPEG capture device that has the same "guts" as the ADS Instant DVD 2.0 so it too probably ignores copy protection but it adds the ability to schedule recordings via BeyondTV.

Either one can be had for around $100.00 if you look hard enough ... I suggest using PRICEGRABBER.COM

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[mattso]

The best way to get around copy protection is to use a Full Frame TBC such as the AVT-8710 but then you are up to $190 USD.

I would suggest one of these, as it does a LOT more than just "strip away" the macrovision bullshit. It is a full-frame time-base corrector with proc amp controls (brightness, contrast, colour saturation, hue, sharpness). Plus it "also" removes macrovision. Good investment if you ask me.

The LiteOn is a good unit... when it works.

[MeekloBraca]

SOOOOO....

To summarize,

I can try a Lite On DVD player risking that It might not work, if it does, great! But if not then I should go with a TBC to accompany my DVD Recorder yes?

Also do the Lite On DVD players usually show their flaws early on or do they come through over time.

[colbypaperboy]

I can speak about the Clarifier as I have recently procured one and used it now to copy a handful of movies.

I would describe the "jitter" as mild distortion to some sharply-edged things one would see on the screen--particularly on-screen guides, text, things of that nature. Aside from that, images output from the Clarifier look very good. When I initially read about the jittering other users were seeing, I was thinking the picture would be shaking, but this is not the case. The picture is pretty much rock solid.

A side effect of the "clarification" is that the entire frame appears to be shifted about 1/2-inch left of center on my television screen. It's not enough of a shift, however, to be distracting.

Recording source material such as movies recorded on my DVR yields great results on my Toshiba D-R4 DVD recorder even in the MP (3 hour) mode, and excellent results in the SP (2 hour) mode. When recording VHS movies, the MP mode is only acceptable: the "blocking" effect can be seen around imperfections in the orignal signal (which is coming from a tried-and-true JVC HR-A61U). In SP, VHS transfers look good.

Provided my little black box doesn't implode in the next few days or weeks, I would have to say I recommend it as a first-try solution over a TBC that costs nearly 3x as much.

And a note about Facet: shipping was EXTREMELY fast...shipped from New Mexico on Friday and got it on Monday.