Pinnacle PCTV

[roxbang]

I'm considering buying a Pinnacle PCTV since I found it quite cheap around here..but does this card has the macrovision on hardware or software just like ATi's?

Cause that's the reason I'm buying it...to get avoid the macrovision-stress on old tapes! (ATI is driving me crazy on capturing)

another question: would it work fine using with my video card (ATI Radeon 7500??)

thanx for any info!

[Supreme2k]

PCTV does not have does not have a macrovision disabler. I had to use an external when transferring from VHS to DVD (on some movies).

[roxbang]

but my doubt is: does it work fine when capturing old tapes?? cause ATI is SO picky on source material...if there's too much noise on the source, it will get impossible to capture good quality(it thinks its macrovision-protected)
...image would flash and blink a LOT!!

Does pinnacle at least capture no-macrovision stuff with good quality??

[Zetti]

I am afraid you're technically wrong...

If you have old VHS tapes - like 99% of my video stuff - you need a TBC; changing the capture hardware will drive you nowhere but bankrupt....

Your issue has NOTHING TO DO with Macrovision, but with poor picture typical from old VHS tapes that *ALL* capture cards are sensitive to - while TVs aren't.....

A TBC resyncs all video signals, making them clear enough and proper to be accepted by very sensitive devices like capture cards;

I have a Datavideo TBC-1000, although I know it removes macrovision, keep in mind that it's not your issue. If you use it, your picture will be fixed, but DON'T THINK cause it's why Macrovision has been removed.....

I have a PCTV Deluxe and an ATI AiW 9000PRO card; I am sure ATI is sensitive to Macrovision, I believe PCTV is too cause it's a law requirement;

Zetti

[roxbang]

thanx zetti. I guess youre right! All this macrovision/bad signal stuff is killing me!

Fact is that I've found this "macrovision-free" machine (called MACROVISION-FREE PROVISION). It says it can remove signals like macrovision from any source.... records from vhs to dvd, makes the image better, auto-detect system..

please check this link if you can: (last item on page)

http://www.dvdfree.com.br/pesquisa.asp?produto=&segmento=1&paginaatual=2

(for picture, click on "mais detalhes")


I guess this is the TBC youre talking about right??

if this is it, it will then help me capture with good quality from old tapes?? cause I can't stand ati blinking and flashing everytime on my old stuff...

thanx for the help!!

[Zetti]

Don't worry cause I can read Portuguese pretty well.....certainly easier than english :P

No, I think it won't work for you - you need a TBC - Time Base Corrector, that device is a Macrovision remover; and they say picture gets better based on that - NOT on signals resync that a TBC does;

You need a TBC that will give you a "side" benefit of removing Macrovision, as far as I know, a macro remover won't give you the "side" benefit of signals resync (try to PM a guy called Lordsmurf here on this site, he knows this stuff better than me); you might visist www.digitalfaq.com (his site);

Aren't you wrong when you think it's a macrovision issue ? What kind of tapes do you have ? If you have old tapes recorded from Brazilian TV (like me), they're NOT Macrovision protected, I am pretty sure your issue is NOT Macrovision......
Indeed, I think (not sure though....) that "oficial" tapes on sale in Brazil aren't factory macrovision protected....

If you wanna things done the right way, consider spending $ 450 on a Datavideo TBC-1000 - you can have it shipped to your door in Brazil from BHPhotovideo.com; yes, it's expensive, but they have a way to get rid of Custom rip offs idiots; choose "Brazil special" as delivery method

There are cheaper TBC's, I don't know them - do the right thing.....

make a Google search for "Datavideo TBC-1000" and you'll know what I am talking about, I have received many DVD's with distorted picture......poor guys out there that don't kow their stuff, a TBC is **NECESSARY** when capturing from VHS, even not the older ones....

Now it's 2:30 am in our Country and I need to go to bed, see you;

Boa sorte (a bit of Portuguese <g>);

Zetti

[roxbang]

thanx Zetti it was a BIG help!! So youre brazilian??? Bom saber hehe!!

I'll see what I can do about it, since my problem is when trying to record old VHS tapes that I own (some copied, some originals, and some home-movie)... I always get "blinking" on screen...I've read a thousand topics here from people who associates this with ATI-macrovision device on hardware..(because of the poor signal, it thinks its macrovision-protected)

so thats why im SO worried. I've bought an EXPENSIVE ati Radeon 7500 and now...I can't properly transfer my videos to DVD...thats a SHAME.

I'll do some more research on the subject but believe me, u helped a LOT!.. I'll try to figure out a way to get around this!

and if u got any extra or unexpensive (hehe) tips, please let me know

valeu!!