Is there a hack list for VHS VCR'S??????

[Tread2]

I see that you all have a hack list for DVD'S. Do you have a hack list for VHS and, if not, where could I find this info?

[pstedman]

Considering your average VHS has no real firmware to begin with there's nothing to hack?

What are you looking to make it do?

[CBC]

play beta?

[akrako1]

disable Macrovision recognition?

[RowMan]

VHS tapes that are protected by Macrovision have the copy protection signal embedded into the video. There is no way to get rid of it other than using some sort of external device like a time base correcter (TBC) or a "digital video stabilizer" that masks the copy protection so that a recording device (VCR or DVD recorder) cannot detect it.

Some DVD players and recorders can be hacked to ignore or not produce a copy protection signal because copy protected DVDs do not have the protection signal embedded into the video. It's actually the player itself that produces the signal when the protected DVD tells it to. A hack just disables the player from outputting the copy protection all together.

[wulf109]

The nice thing about the now defunct beta format was that it was macrovision immune. Which maybe one reason it died.

[Tread2]

Thanks for the info! VHS tapes won't last forever. Then again, neither will DVD's but they will last longer. I guess what I need to look for instead is an old VHS player to hook up to my Symphonic WFR205. I understand that some VCR's from the 80's don't recognize macrovision.Does anyone know of any VCR models from that time frame? Of course, if someone knows a VHS/DVD hack for it, I could just skip buying an old, used VCR! PLMK. Thanks!

[RowMan]

From what you've written, it sounds like you're trying to find an old VCR that does not output the Macrovision signal from protected tapes.

In my experience with home video (since the late 70's) all of my VHS and Betamax machines output the Macrovision signal when PLAYING protected tapes. There were a few, however, that did not respond to protection only when RECORDING from Macrovision encoded sources.

In order to make a copy of a protected VHS tape (either to VHS or DVD), you might want to try the device shown here...

http://site.mcminone.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=MCMProducts&product%5Fid=80%2D4280

I've been using one like this for many years in order to make VHS back-ups (and now DVD back-ups) of Macrovision protected tapes without a hitch.

Making DVD back-ups of DVDs using a DVD recorder is a bit more complicated (and expensive). You'll have to defeat a second form of protection called CGMS/a. You could use the device from www.facetvideo.com,

http://www.facetvideo.com/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=83&cat=0&page=1

...but if you have a decent computer, I would suggest using it to make DVD back-ups of DVD discs for better quality. Besides, links to free DVD back-up software are available in the TOOLS section of this site.

[Tread2]

THANKS!!!!!!!!! Do I Need to purchase any cords or other devices for this to work? PLMK. Thanks again.

[kschang]

I could have swore that somewhere on the Internet someone BUILD a device like this for under $20. (probalby under $10) Try Google?

[RowMan]

The first device is under $20. There are no "special" cables required. Just the standard RCA type video cable.

[handyguy]

I'm sure I saw something at Bestbuy.com made by Sima for $99 that does it....

Thing is you see, there are new macrovision types so these old players might not be that immune.

[MOVIEGEEK]

I'm sure I saw something at Bestbuy.com made by Sima for $99 that does it....

Thing is you see, there are new macrovision types so these old players might not be that immune.

The bottom of the line Sima($49) is worthless,I bought one a few years ago and it didn't work...their $99 model may work better.I would buy a TBC for best results.
On VHS tapes there's only one type of Macrovision(AGC),on DVD there's at least two(AGC+ACP+RipGuard).
In my experience VHS tapes bought before 1994 most likely do not have Macrovision,after 1994 most do.

[Nelson37]

Have to disagree with that, I have had the Sima Copy Master for several years, it defeats copy protection for both VCR and DVD output. Tested on numerous VHS tapes, as well as 3 or 4 DVD. Capture device 3 different models of ATI AIW, all below the 9000 series. One of the best $39.95 I ever spent.

[akrako1]

Anyone have any experience with the 'Facet' device listed above at:
http://www.facetvideo.com/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=83&cat=0&page=1

Only $69.95. Worth it? Over a $150 TBC?

[ktnwin]

Considering your average VHS has no real firmware to begin with there's nothing to hack?

The VCR (as well as a lot of other electronic devices such as TV, HDDs, DVD players, set-top boxes, cell phones, etc...) does have firmware in it.
Without the control firmware, the VCR is just a junk box (muscle without brain).
However, since there is no way for the VCR to received updated firmware, does not make sense to create a hacked firmware.
DVD players can read from CD (where the hacked or updated firmware is put on), HDDs are in PC and therefore can get easy firmware upgrades.
In contrast, VCR devices has no digital link to the outside world.

Let's get down to Earth: to by pass the macrovision (which is the main intention of the original question, if I guess correctly) of some protected VHS tapes, you can either buy an external video filter device for less than 100$ or if you already have DV camcorder connected to PC via Firewire, you are in luck. Just connect the VCR to the DV camcorder and use its pass thru to capture VHS tape to the PC. Once the video is in the PC, you can convert and make DVD or VCD out of it.
I found that even with this method, I cannot make an extra VHS copy !!!
The capturing software allows to output the DV video back to the DV cam then to the VCR, however, the DV cam refuse to pass it thru the other way.