Distortion when backing up Disney VHS tapes with DMR-E30

[bskousen]

I have been taking all of my kid's video tapes and everything has been going good. I have had to use a signal stabilizer especially with Disney movies. If I don't, the E30 comes up with a menu that says this program is copy protected (kind of stupid since I own all the original tapes). Anyway, sometimes when a bright flashing scene comes up (lightning) the right side of the picture distorts slightly by the picture edge moving about an inch inward toward the left. There are also usually a few thin horizontal lines that flash across the screen to the left. I have never seen this happen when I copy anything other than protected tapes. Is this Macrovision sticking its ugly head around the stabilizer? Are there any work arounds that anybody can think of?

Thanks.
Bruce Skousen

[ejai]

I used a TBC (Time Base Corrector) Datatronics TBC-1000 to get rid of the macrovision problem. It works great. The cost is about $270 dollars.

ej

[oldfart13]

For the record, you don't own the tapes. What you have bought is the right to watch the program material. The copyright holder (in this case, Disney) retains all rights on the product so they can prevent you from copying their material if they wish. And I guess, that's what they wish...

[neomaine]

Go to BestBuy, CircuitCity or any blah,blah,blah store and get a CopyMaster for $35. It will....ahhhh...FILTER the video so it'll be nice and smooth.

[bskousen]

I tried to Sima Copymaster over the weekend. While it appears to work just fine, the Panasonic DMR-E30 says it is copyrighted material so it won't let me make a backup. I just ordered filter from a guy in Florida for $129 that is supposed to eliminate ALL these problems. I have read some good reviews, so that should take care of the problem.
As for Disney and others who would rather I buy another copy of the same movie I purchased, they are living in a different world. Personally, I buy all my movies. I see absolutely nothing wrong with putting my old, original VHS movies on a more permanent medium.

Thanks for your input.
Bruce Skousen

[kitty]

Disney is fanatic about protection. Some of their DVDs have extra stuff even

[delta4ms]

Bruce,
I have exact same problem! I have been banging my head against the wall for the last few weeks for same annoying issue. I own a legit tape of "Saving Private Ryan" and DMR-E-30 gave me that same warning when I was trying to back it up to my new DVD archives.
Can you let us know what kind of filter are you getting? I almost gotten down to BestBuy for CopyMaster until I saw your last post. Thanks a bunch in advance!
Mike

[oldfart13]

If you are looking for great discussions on things like the E30, HS2 and other higher end equipment, go here:

http://www.avsforum.com

Look under the Laser and DVD discussions. Great stuff from owners of this kind of equipment. For a specific answer to your question, go here:

http://home.cfl.rr.com/filter/

Apparently this will allow you to copy protected tapes/DVDs to your E30. I don't have this or the E30, so I don't know for sure...

[bskousen]

The filter I purchased was from http://home.cfl.rr.com/filter/
I heard a lot of great reviews about this filter. It is homemade by an electrical engineer so the appearance isn't pristine, but the components are high quality. I haven't received mine yet, but it should come within the next few days.

[bskousen]

OK, I received the filter yesterday and have tried it on The Little Mermaid and The Rescuers (both Disney cartoons). The previous distortion is gone. I DID notice some ghosting around objects that contrasted against a light background on the Little Mermaid, but this wasn't present on The Rescuers. I think The Little Mermaid tape is a little worn and I am not using the best RCA cables in the world. I haven't tried a DVD to DVDR yet, but I have been told that it will only work by using the RCA video jacks not the S-video jack for the Pan. E-30. It bypasses ALL copy protection (obviously this is for backup purposes). I'll let you know more later.

Bruce Skousen

[delta4ms]

Bruce,
Thanks for keeping us posted