The Clarifier - copy protection disabler

[ejai]

I found a device (The Clarifier) that removes macrovision from tapes and DVD disks in order to create backup copies of vhs and dvds to your standalone recorder. This is the link: http://www.facetvideo.com/
my only problem is that sometimes the video gets fuzzy especially on older tapes. This never happens on dvd disks only on vhs tapes.

I also unplugged the Clarifier unit and tried to copy a non-copy protected tape again to my E50 and it looks fine. Then I ran it through the Clarifier and again the fuzzy edges appeared. I am wondering if anyone else who owns this device are experiencing the same results, if so what is your recommendation to fix this problem.

[Bob W]

I had one and never saw that. I would send it back and ask for a replacement.

[ejai]

Thanks Bob,

I will talk to the customer service rep and attempt to do just that.

[ejai]

I spoke to one of the tech support personnel at Facetvideo about the Clarifier problem I was having. I found a solution and sent him this email, if anyone on this forum has this problem then maybe this will help you as well.
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Hi Jim,

I want to let you know that I did work out the problem, it seems that the Clarifer has problems copying some (in my case most) vhs tapes. I went to several forums and found people who have the same complaint, the good news is that I found a solution.

I decided to try the svideo inputs, the only problem is that most vhs players only support composite connectors. So I went to a Radio Shack store and purchased a $21.00 Composite to Svideo connector, I actually purchased 2 connectors. I connected the composite out from the vhs player to the svideo in on the Clarifer using one of the connectors. You might be asking yourself why do I need 2 connectors when all I have to do is plug the Clarifer's svideo out to the dvd recorder's svideo in?

I noticed on one of the forums someone made a statement that the Panasonic recorders have video problems using the svideo connection from the Clarifer. They were correct the svideo inputs cause streaks of color lines throughout the video on the Pansonic E50 recorder I own. So I used the last connector to connect the Clarifer's Svideo out to the Panasonic's composite.

In other words I ended up using the Clarifer's svideo hookup to create the video, and the the streaks were gone as well as the jagged edges that created the problem in the first place. I hope this helps you answer any future questions pertaining to the jagged edges on vhs captures using the composite input.

One last comment, I do think there is a problem with the composite on some vhs captures and maybe your technicians might want to look into this. 8)

[Bob W]

Hmm I have the E50 recorder and use the s-video input from my VCR and have never seen any color streaks in the 75 or so VHS tapes I have converted to DVDR.

[ejai]

I'm glad to hear that, because 2 other users as well as myself have noticed the problems I stated above. The company is sending me another one to see if the device might be defective. I'm not sure that there will be any difference.

I did notice that some tapes were fine while others weren't. Maybe the device is too sensitive, I don't know but I am very picky and will notice the slightest difference in video quality.

When it does work the quality is outstanding.