Capturing VHS with Macrovision

[maek]

First, I want to say that I'm not looking to do anything illegal; I want to back up some of my movies on to DVD.

Some of the VHS movies that I have include the Macrovision copy protection and these movies that I have are OUT OF PRINT. So, if my VCR eats it, I'm out of luck. I paid for it, so it would be nice to have some relatively permanent record of it.

I know that there is some hardware that defeats this, but I'm not looking to spend $90+ to do it.

Is there a software capturing utility that would work? I tried FreeVCR -- captured the video just fine, except that I got absolutely no audio.

I apologize if this has been covered elsewhere, but all the forum topics suggested a hardware (not software) solution. I'm pretty sure that some software solution must exist because the mainline companies like Roxio, etc., actually detect it and state that Macrovision was detected while FreeVCR seems to ignore it (again, though, the AUDIO PROBLEM).

Thanks in advance!!

[kenmo]

I use VirtualVCR and it works perfectly for me BUT I don't know about VHS tapes with Macrovision....

VirtualVCR is free and listed in the TOOLS section here.... It is the best capturing app I've ever used....

[Bob W]

Here is a device that is cheap. http://www.squeakersneakers.com/vs.htm

[MrMungus]

First, I want to say that I'm not looking to do anything illegal; I want to back up some of my movies on to DVD.

[maek]

I am COMPLETELY serious about this post!

[OmegaSupreme]

I have one of the Digital Video Stabilizers referenced by Bob W, its a piece of sh#@t. Don't waste your money.

[chaseru]

I transferred my VHS collection to DVD using a JVC HR-DVS2U, which can defeat Macrovision with its TBC and it provides firewire transfer to your computer. These JVC decks run for about $500 used on ebay, but you could easily sell it for $500 when your done.

Although the JVC has some internal noise filtering circuitry, I still had to run the video through some noise filtering in VirtualDub prior to encoding.

[lordsmurf]

No.

[maek]

Regarding chaseru's response, I was looking for a software fix. Lordsmurf -- is that a "no" to chaseru or a "no, there is no software capture method"?

[trossin]

I found no need to add a video stabilizer between my VCR and PVR-250 card to convert my VHS tapes to DVD. Macrovision is supposed to dump crap onto the video output during vertical or horizontal sync pulses so that the sync separator in a VCR will go nuts. I believe that there is a control feedback circuit in the VCR that trys to control the flying record head cylinder so as to lay down the horizontal lines of the screen such that the sync pulses occur while the head is at the top of the tape. The tape is wrapped around the cylinder so that the each scan line of the video is recorded in a diagonal line across the tape. There are two record heads on the cylinder so that as soon as one head hits the bottom of the tape the next can start at the top of the tape. There is a dead period where no head is writting on the tape.

Where was I going with this? Anyway, the deal is that you need to sync this rotating head with the input video such that the switching from the bottom of the tape to the top of the tape happens during horizontal sync. If not, you would see an ugly line running up and down your screen.

As this control process involves a hunk of mass spinning rather quickly, it can not react very fast to changes in the location of the sync pulse. The result is that yucky horizontal sync pulses cause your recorder to go insane.

The boxes that solve this problem so that you can get a VCR to record the output from another VCR or DVD player add a circuit that separates the horizontal and veritcal sync pulses, cleans them up, and recombines with the video. This allows you to do DVD to VHS backup.

Your TV set does not need this box as it can react much quicker to the messed up sync pulses and keep a stable image on the screen. The same goes for my capture card. I assumed that all capture cards would have no problem at all since they require the same sync separator logic that the stabilizer boxes and TV set would use.

[lordsmurf]

a "no, there is no software capture method"?

Yes.

I feel like Bugs Bunny. :P

[BrainStorm69]

maek, it would help if you would tell us what your capture hardware is first.

[briandugas]

Here is a device that is cheap. http://www.squeakersneakers.com/vs.htm

I also own this device. I will eventually upgrade to a unit that handles S-Video, but for now, this gets the job done. I only had about 3 movies which I bought from Blockbuster, and I wanted to put them on DVD. This device did the job perfectly. I saw another user blasted this device, but there wasn't a real reason given. My reason for liking the device is that it's priced nicely, and it will get the job done. I wouldn't put it to professional use, but then again, I wouldn't back up anybody's copy protected tape anyway. I guess it all depends on how much use it will get, and the quality of your source. I'm gonna hold on to mine until I can save up to get a new one that handles S-Video.
Brian

[maek]

Again, thanks for all of the input!

Just one quick question -- has anyone else come across audio capture problems with FreeVCR? Anyone know of a fix?