Newb - VHS to DVD copyright??

[CreepinDeth]

Hey guys, I'm a newb here. I did a search, but didn't come up with much.
If there's links someone can provide where I'm sure this has been discussed, please post em.

I work in the Cable industry but i'm not familiar with how to get around
Copyright protection on VHS to DVD conversion. We have been trying
to get rid of our VHS collection and back it all up to DVD so we bought a
Samsung DVD-VR357 and it won't do anything for us.

We tried copying my wife's Tae-Bo VHS to DVD and we get this error
message and we can't figure out how to get this to DVD so she can
use it downstairs on our Toshiba Tivo DVD Recorder. I don't own any
other VHS players and frankly I don't want to buy another. I'd rather
back them up to DVD.

What are my best options here ??? I don't have a Video capture card on my PC.
But I can get one if it's the best solution obviously. Any DVD/VHS recorders
out there that don't have this problem ??

[hech54]

Google "Macrovision".

[RowMan]

Your cheapest and easiest solution would be to borrow a VCR and use one of these...

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

... between it and your DVD recorder. This device will mask the copy protection signal that's on the tape so the DVD recorder will not respond to it. I've used this type of device for years to back up copy protected VHS and Betamax tapes and it works pretty well.

You could also use this device with a capture card (which would probably be more expensive), but then you'll have to go through the steps of creating a DVD from what you've captured.

[pepegot1]

Go to this site and buy a stabilizer.
http://www.checkhere22.com/stabilizer/
They have one that does it all-with S-Video and Composite connections

[CreepinDeth]

Your cheapest and easiest solution would be to borrow a VCR and use one of these...

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

... between it and your DVD recorder. This device will mask the copy protection signal that's on the tape so the DVD recorder will not respond to it. I've used this type of device for years to back up copy protected VHS and Betamax tapes and it works pretty well.

You could also use this device with a capture card (which would probably be more expensive), but then you'll have to go through the steps of creating a DVD from what you've captured.

Thanks guys, this is the cheapest solution out there. MUCHO appreciated. Sweeet.

[mumba-yumba]

Well, both sites are of very poor quality : no connection diagrams, no compatibility list for dvd-recorders... Probably no customer support at all. But they are realy cheap - buy at your own risk. Howeveer, if you want a sure shot then only this one: http://www.xdimax.com/grex/grex.html

[RowMan]

Yes. The Grex is a higher quality product and does more in terms of what you can transfer. It's a "get what you pay for" situation.

MCM Digital Stabilizer = (low cost) Good for simple, no frills protected VHS only to DVD recordings via composite connection.

Clearpix Media Digital Stabilizer = (moderate cost) Better for protected VHS only to DVD recordings via S-Video connection.

Grex Advanced Digital Video Stabilizer = (higher cost) Best for protected VHS and DVD to DVD recordings via S-Video connection as well as the ability to record protected TV channels from satellite, cable, set-top-box, PVR, DVR, or TiVo.

[lordsmurf]

The best is a timebase corrector (TBC), not a cheap filter device.

[RowMan]

100% agreed! But that's taking it up to an even higher pricing tier (Get what you pay for.). Any lower end models you would suggest? I'm thinking of taking the TBC plunge myself.