I'm a newbie and I'm trying to archive stuff from my DVR, old VHS tapes

[bm87]

To DVD. But of course most of it is copyrighted. I have a panasonic DVD/VHS recorder and trying to get around this copyright blocking. Will getting one of the Dimax "grex" Xdimax be enough or what do I need?

[ntscuser]

The word you're looking for is "copy protected". Any device which gets around this must be connected between the output of the VHS player and the input of the DVD recorder. Does your combi unit have separate input and output sockets for each section? If not you won't be able to use it.

[bm87]

Do you mean 2 for Audio and 1 for Video? If so yes it does???

[ntscuser]

Do you mean 2 for Audio and 1 for Video? If so yes it does???

I mean does the VHS section have an output which can be used independent of the DVD section and does the DVD section have an input which can be used independent of the VHS section? I don't have any experience of using a combi unit but my understanding is that the VHS output is connected directly to the input of the DVD recorder when dubbing recordings from VHS to DVD?

[bm87]

Oh Ok yes they are the same input. I even tried to take an old VCR and record from the VCR/DVD Combo onto the old VCR and take that to copy to DVD but it wouldn't even let me record onto an old VHS tape.

I know I've heard of a device you put in between the VHS to DVD that will descramble it? Correct? But if my VHS/DVD is one in the same is there a way I can descramble it? Would it have to be onto a PC using the same device? What am I looking for? Would this same device work when recording from DVR to burn on a DVD?

[ntscuser]

You need what is called a "video stabilizer" such as the one you mention in your first post. Connect it between the output of your old VCR and the input of your combi recorder.

[bm87]

So there is no way to fix this problem with using only the Combo machine then vhs to dvd? I can only use external unit so I can use the go between stabilizer wire. Will this video stabilizer also work on stuff that is blocked for copying from my Directv DVR?

[ntscuser]

So there is no way to fix this problem with using only the Combo machine then vhs to dvd?

None that I know of.

I can only use external unit so I can use the go between stabilizer wire.

As far as I know.

Will this video stabilizer also work on stuff that is blocked for copying from my Directv DVR?

As far as I can tell the manufacturers of the Grex claim that it can. http://www.xdimax.com/grex/grex.html

[bm87]

Well you've been great help. Im glad I kept my old antique VCR then. does the Grex keep it just as it's recorded. No view like it came from the flea market for $1 or something?

[ntscuser]

Can't comment on the Grex but a friend who uses a similar device has been very impressed indeed.