Help! The horizontal lines won't go away!

[stream]

I use a JVC XV-S65 DVD player -- it is a Digital Direct Progressive Scan model. I run that into a Hauppage PCI TV Tuner via an S-Video cable on a Windows 2000 Pro machine with the newest drivers on all the hardware that's applicable to this problem.

On movies I burn to DVD myself, I have no problem. They look wonderful.

However, on commercial DVD's that I buy, when certain colors are on the screen (especially reds and blues), there are these horrible horizontal lines where those colors are. I have a feeling this has to do with either [de]interlacing or the fact that my DVD player is progressive scan. I'm puzzled on why the lines don't show up on DVD's I've burned.

Also, I've tried using both Hauppage's software (which I hate, and the new version doesn't even work on my machine) and DScaler (which I like better, but uses too much of my processor, which the Hauppage software didn't). They both show the lines. I've tried turning deinterlacing on and off in DScaler, and that has no effect. I tried clearing off all drivers on my machine and starting over, and now the Hauppage software won't even install, so I'm stuck with DScaler, which is fine except that it uses all my processor and I can't do anything else while I'm using it.

And, when I ran WindowsXP last year, there were no lines. The picture looked perfect. But, they came back when I started using 2000 again. I'd rather not upgrade to XP just to fix this problem -- 2000 is more stable on my machine.

Here's a screenshot of the lines from when the Hauppage software still worked:


Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

-jesse

[James61]

I had the same with a newer version of the Hauppage WinTV To-Go, however i have a 5 year old version of the card that works fine without a problem, so i'd guess it's down the the card itself

Should have seen the mess the ATI Radeon DDR ViVo made of certain reds, broke up into horrible blue lines, lol

[James61]

Just one extra note.... since the hauppage software doesnt work, have you tried virtualdub? i found it worked well on mine, just upgraded to the PVR350 myself, SWEEEEEET card

[stream]

Yeah, when there are bright blues on the screen, the lines totally mess up the picture. You can't even watch.

Thanks for the advice.

-jesse

[bbb]

It looks like Macrovision's colorstripe copy protection.

Here is an example of a similar picture with and without copyprotection:
http://www.dscaler.org/images/Mummy_MacrovisionOn.jpg
http://www.dscaler.org/images/Mummy_MacrovisionOff.jpg

The cheapest way to eliminate these lines is to use your DVDROM to backup your dvd.

Another way is to buy a Macrovision remover/filter box that can remove level II Macrovision.

Yet another way is to modifiy your dvd player to not give off the Macrovision signal.

There might also be a way to modify your Hauppauge drivers to not recognize the Macrovision signal. ATI AIW drivers can be hacked to avoid the Macrovision signal.

[Bob W]

"It looks like Macrovision's colorstripe copy protection."

Yeah I agree. I had a similar problem which I solved when I bought the "VideoCopy Master" box at BestBuy (around $39). It removes macrovision and filters, amplifies, and levels the video prior to a TV tuner or capture card.

[pglenn]

Is this the "Sima SED-CD Video Copy Master Automatic Movie Duplicator and Enhancer" product? I have seen this product on a few internet sites but with no real description of it or even any reviews. is it just a "signal booster/amplifier" or does it do more?

Also, I see that is has RCA ans S-Video in and RCA and S-Video out. can you interchange these (RCA in and S-Video out)?

[stream]

Oh, awesome, it is the macrovision copy protection! Those lines in your top picture from the Mummy are identical to the ones I see. Thanks! Now I'll just figure out how to get around it.

Thanks guys.

-Jesse

[Bob W]

Is this the "Sima SED-CD Video Copy Master Automatic Movie Duplicator and Enhancer" product? I have seen this product on a few internet sites but with no real description of it or even any reviews. is it just a "signal booster/amplifier" or does it do more?

Also, I see that is has RCA ans S-Video in and RCA and S-Video out. can you interchange these (RCA in and S-Video out)?

It does more but they don't talk about it. Yes the inputs and outputs are interchangeable.

[pglenn]

anywhere I can go for more information on this? $40 for a "signal amplifier" is a bit much (I already have on inline amp on my coax) but if it does additonal "processing/filtering" of the signal I would be interested.

I currently am not getting a clean image to my PC (using ATI all-in-wonder 7500), using coax direct from my cable source. I get slighty "fuzzy" video, suggestive of a weak signal tho it is fine on my regular TV. If I could get an additonal processor that would allow me to be connected from my VCR to the PC that cleans the signal as well as amplifies it I would be happy. (this would then also allow me to begin recording my VCRs to DVD)

[stream]

Actually, I think the macrovision that is showing up on most of my DVD's is level 2, which only that $99 model filters out. That $39 model won't get rid of the level 2 macrovision, apparently, so be careful.

-jesse

[ironwood321]

Have you tried the Fusion 878 generic drivers in the tools section these will work with your wintv card? It could be macrovision but it might be simple Hanover bars.

I believe Radio Shack or other might have what you want. Devices are usually sold under the video signal cleaner or stabilizer name and a fairly cheap.

[stream]

I'm pretty sure it's macrovision. The lines I get look identical to the lines in that example posted above.

-jesse