Clarifiers, TBCs and Red Thingies...

[Mechworker]

Okay, I've got a problem.

It is my habit to back up anything I own. It's just good sense, right? I've never had a problem before, but last night I was trying to archive a DVD to a DVD-R (so little ones could watch it without bunging up the original), and I couldn't.

This is nothing new, but usually ripping it to a tape with an Optex stabilizer works fine, and then I can record the tape on my E-50. I've run into a few recalcitrant examples, but usually I can get them to record, depending at what instant in the show I press the REC button.

However, nothing I could do would allow me to transfer this tape to DVD-R.

I've read posts on things like the Clarifier, and Time Base Correctors. There's also some kind of 'RED PRO' that looks like a kidney bean.

I've seen conflicting reports on how well the work/don't work, etc.

What I'd like to know is whether all of these or any of these will defeat all current protections, as well as any projected future protections.

Thanks for any input.

[Capmaster]

What exactly do you mean when you say you can't do it? Does it copy but poorly? Do you get an error? What is your equipment?

[Mechworker]

I have a Panny E50 recording from a Sony or Panny VCR.

I get the 'Program is copyrighted' warning, and recording won't start, most times. Other times, it will start recording, but kick out about 2 seconds later. I'm assuming because I was lucky enough to hit it at a spot that didn't have shielding but then ran into a spot that does. I've seen this before, but I can usually break through with persistance. Not this time though.

Hope this helps.

[Capmaster]

I have a Panny E50 recording from a Sony or Panny VCR.

I get the 'Program is copyrighted' warning, and recording won't start, most times. Other times, it will start recording, but kick out about 2 seconds later. I'm assuming because I was lucky enough to hit it at a spot that didn't have shielding but then ran into a spot that does. I've seen this before, but I can usually break through with persistance. Not this time though.

Hope this helps.

OK. I've also got an E50. I've come across commercial tapes that it won't record, giving me the same warning screen. It is probably macrovision. What I do then is go upstairs on my PC capping setup which has a TBC-1000 between the VCR and the capture box. Then it records fine.

There is no copy protection that I know of that will survive a TBC, so that would be the sure-fire way of doing it. The Panny has a TBC built in but since it's a standalone it's required to honor macrovision and other copy protection. You could put a TBC between the VCR or DVD player and the E50.I can't comment on the budget TBC alternatives like the stabilizers and such, but I'm sure if you search this forum you'll find a bunch of info on those

[Mechworker]

Great!

I've been doing some reading, but I've got a problem. Where can I GET a TBC that is a standalone unit. I've called a few local A/V shops, and none of them have one.

I really hate ordering stuff on line, and in fact won't do it. Is there any model that is commercially available?

Thanks for any help!

[Capmaster]

Great!

I've been doing some reading, but I've got a problem. Where can I GET a TBC that is a standalone unit. I've called a few local A/V shops, and none of them have one.

I really hate ordering stuff on line, and in fact won't do it. Is there any model that is commercially available?

Thanks for any help!

Start here:

http://www.datavideo-tek.com/

and check their resellers. They're all over the world and they show a map you click to see the resellers in your area. This is the company that makes the TBC-1000 that I own. It's a good unit.

[Mechworker]

That's all good, and I appreciate the effort, but I need something that is stand alone.

I really wish I lived in a bigger city, since my hometown doesn't appear to have anything like this anywhere...

Any ideas for standalone units that I can get not over the internet?

[Capmaster]

That's all good, and I appreciate the effort, but I need something that is stand alone.

I really wish I lived in a bigger city, since my hometown doesn't appear to have anything like this anywhere...

Any ideas for standalone units that I can get not over the internet?

If you look at the TBC-1000 you'll see that it is a standalone TBC.

Here's the link:

http://www.datavideo-tek.com/navigation_frames/tbc-1000/entire.htm

[FulciLives]

The DataVideo TBC-1000 can be purchased from the following two websites:

VIDEOGUYS.COM
Click HERE for a direct link to the product.

B&H PHOTO & VIDEO
Click HERE for a direct link to the product.

Please note that the DataVideo TBC-1000 is around $300 USD

Another option is the AVT-8710 which can be bought from the AV TOOLBOX website for $179 USD

Click HERE for a direct link to the AVT-8710

Oh wait ... I just checked and damn if AV TOOLBOX didn't just raise the price of the AVT-8710 from $179 to $250

If you ask me ... you might as well go with the DataVideo TBC-1000 now that the price difference is not so much. I also say this because some have been unhappy with the quality of the AVT-8710 although some of said it works fine (quality wise).

Either way they will both re-sync the video thus eliminating any and all forms of copy protection allowing you to copy any video source be it VHS or DVD because they defeat both MACROVISION and CGMS/A

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[salami]

Another option is the AVT-8710 which can be bought from the AV TOOLBOX website for $179 USD

Click HERE for a direct link to the AVT-8710

Oh wait ... I just checked and damn if AV TOOLBOX didn't just raise the price of the AVT-8710 from $179 to $250

If you ask me ... you might as well go with the DataVideo TBC-1000 now that the price difference is not so much. I also say this because some have been unhappy with the quality of the AVT-8710 although some of said it works fine (quality wise).

You can get the AVT-8710 here for $175.
I bought it from them about 3 weeks ago for $165. It looks like the price went up here as well.
I'm very satisfied with it.

[mike1061]

How come the TBC-1000 dosen't say anything about defeating macrovision? And would it take the place of a Conopus ADVC-100? Does the Canopus defeat macrovision?
I bought the Canopus (for $300) to solve the a/v synce problems. It sounds like I could have bought the TBC-1000 and got two things in one.
Thanks Mike.

[Capmaster]

How come the TBC-1000 dosen't say anything about defeating macrovision? And would it take the place of a Conopus ADVC-100? Does the Canopus defeat macrovision?
I bought the Canopus (for $300) to solve the a/v synce problems. It sounds like I could have bought the TBC-1000 and got two things in one.
Thanks Mike.

In the description for the TBC-1000 it mentions that it strips off all timing information and replaces it with clean timing. Macrovision and other copy protection schemes put their signals in the timing since that's the only place they can put it. Awaaayyy it goes once the TBC gets ahold of it Buh-bye

And the ADVC-100 is a capture box, not a TBC. You're comparing apples and oranges here. You could use the TBC-1000 with the ADVC-100 and have a nice setup ....but they're two different things.

[FulciLives]

And the ADVC-100 is a capture box, not a TBC. You're comparing apples and oranges here. You could use the TBC-1000 with the ADVC-100 and have a nice setup ....but they're two different things.

What he said hehehe

The Canopus ADVC-100 can be made to defeat MACROVISION and I don't think CGMS/A even bothers it at all. So you can basically use it with any type of video be it VHS or DVD etc.

Now a TBC will also defeat MACROVISION and in the case of stand alone DVD recorders that is usually the only way to make copies of videos that have copy protection.

However the real purpose of a TBC is to help stabilize the image. This is a really good thing especially with videotape sources. You will get an overall better picture plus the MPEG encoding will work much better with a more stable picture than one that is "wavy" as videotape can be.

If you use the ADVC-100 with a TBC then you got one hell of a damn near perfect capture solution. At least as perfect as one can get without super duper expensive pro equipment that would cost several thousands of dollars.

Even if all you use is a stand alone DVD recorder a seperate TBC will allow you to copy from any source and while some DVD recorders have a TBC built-in already many don't (or have a very weak poor quality TBC). Even the models with a built-in TBC don't break copy protection because that is checked first when the signal comes in before the machine passes it to the built-in TBC.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[mike1061]

Alright
would you put the canopus first in the line, or the TBC-1000? Is the Sync part of the TBC-1000 differant than the Canopus? The Canopus solves the a/v sync problem by converting the analog signal to digital. How does the TBC-1000 do it?
Thanks Mike.

[FulciLives]

Alright
would you put the canopus first in the line, or the TBC-1000? Is the Sync part of the TBC-1000 differant than the Canopus? The Canopus solves the a/v sync problem by converting the analog signal to digital. How does the TBC-1000 do it?
Thanks Mike.

Source video ---> TBC ---> Canopus ADVC-100 ---> Computer

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[mike1061]

Thanks
Mike.

[Capmaster]

And the ADVC-100 is a capture box, not a TBC. You're comparing apples and oranges here. You could use the TBC-1000 with the ADVC-100 and have a nice setup ....but they're two different things.

What he said hehehe

The Canopus ADVC-100 can be made to defeat MACROVISION and I don't think CGMS/A even bothers it at all. So you can basically use it with any type of video be it VHS or DVD etc.

Now a TBC will also defeat MACROVISION and in the case of stand alone DVD recorders that is usually the only way to make copies of videos that have copy protection.

However the real purpose of a TBC is to help stabilize the image. This is a really good thing especially with videotape sources. You will get an overall better picture plus the MPEG encoding will work much better with a more stable picture than one that is "wavy" as videotape can be.

If you use the ADVC-100 with a TBC then you got one hell of a damn near perfect capture solution. At least as perfect as one can get without super duper expensive pro equipment that would cost several thousands of dollars.

Even if all you use is a stand alone DVD recorder a seperate TBC will allow you to copy from any source and while some DVD recorders have a TBC built-in already many don't (or have a very weak poor quality TBC). Even the models with a built-in TBC don't break copy protection because that is checked first when the signal comes in before the machine passes it to the built-in TBC.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

What he said

[Mechworker]

Wow, that's a lot of information. Thanks, guys!

I have another question, then. If I'm reading this right, then I am understanding that any TBC will blow out all forms of Macrovision and CDMS/A?

Thus, will the AVT-8710 take care of all forms of blocking and get rid of that annoying 'Cannot copy this material' blue screen?

If so, that's good news.

Now, this TBC-1000 seems to be the thing that everybody likes. How much does it cost? I wonder if I can get one locally....

Thanks, and keep posting and keeping me up on this stuff!

[Capmaster]

Wow, that's a lot of information. Thanks, guys!

I have another question, then. If I'm reading this right, then I am understanding that any TBC will blow out all forms of Macrovision and CDMS/A?

Thus, will the AVT-8710 take care of all forms of blocking and get rid of that annoying 'Cannot copy this material' blue screen?

If so, that's good news.

Now, this TBC-1000 seems to be the thing that everybody likes. How much does it cost? I wonder if I can get one locally....

Thanks, and keep posting and keeping me up on this stuff!

Yes, a TBC will blow out all forms of copy protection. I can't comment on the AVT-8710 but a lot of folks like it. Maybe do a forum search?

1-1/2 years ago I paid $300 (USD) for the TBC-1000, but I've seen it as low as $250 if you shop around on the web. It's also carried in retail stores but that's going to have a higher price tag.

[Mechworker]

I'm getting a little bit confused.

I've read all your helpful replies, and I appreciate them. I've looked up the TBC-1000, and read a bit on it.

However, it always seems that they are talking about going from VHS to VHS or VHS to DVD-R.

What I need is something to go DVD - DVD-R. Will the TBC-1000 and/or the AVT 8710 do the job?

I need a conclusive answer to this. Thanks!

[lordsmurf]

I'm getting a little bit confused.

I've read all your helpful replies, and I appreciate them. I've looked up the TBC-1000, and read a bit on it.

However, it always seems that they are talking about going from VHS to VHS or VHS to DVD-R.

What I need is something to go DVD - DVD-R. Will the TBC-1000 and/or the AVT 8710 do the job?

I need a conclusive answer to this. Thanks!

You're confusing a signal carrier with a storage format.

[Mechworker]

Uh oh... Lordsmurf, I didn't think I was.

What I'm saying is that I find the sites on the internet that discuss the TBC-1000 and other such units (including the AVT 8710) to always say it works killing macrovision on VHS tapes. I don't care about that.

I want to take a commercially pressed DVD and back it up to DVD-R on my E50. All I need to know is if the TBC-1000/AVT 8710 will do this. No one seems to mention it will do DVD-DVD and kill the CGMS/A.

Will they?

Am I still confusing carriers with formats?

[quasar1963]

The answer is YES .. both will work for you dvd to dvd-r back-up

[FulciLives]

How much clearer can I be than my first post.

I listed where to get these devices at on-line along with prices.

I also said that they will break all forms of copy protection wihch does indeed cover original DVD playback to stand alone DVD recorder.

What more could you possibly need to know ???

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Mechworker]

FulciLives:

That's perfect. The online prices are nice to have, but do me no good as I still don't do any shopping online. If I can't see the item in my hands, I don't pay for it. However, that's a personal thing for me.

All I needed was the one clear statement that you made. I apologize if I appear thick headed, but I've been quite tired and rushed lately, and I'm not sure that all the info is always sinking in right.

I appreciate all the help you and the others on the forum have given me, and I'll read over all the posts again, to really get the message.

Thanks a lot, everyone!

[hudsonf]

I don't know if it will work but I saw a GoDVD! Model CT-2 by Sima at Best Buy. http://www.simacorp.com/products/item.ep.html?session=4df5e2be84dac1f15a2ff4cb08652d51&id=477

[RWANDREWS]

You say you don't buy things online, but do you buy things by telephone/mail order ? If so, go with B&H Photo Video in NY, a very reputable company, that also has a walk in store.

www.bhphotovideo.com

I have purchased $1000's of camera equiptment from them over the years, INCLUDING the DataVideo 1000 unit, & have NEVER been disappointed. Be aware that the DataVideo unit is very popular & they are frequently Out of Stock, but unlike many sellers, they DO NOT charge your credit card if they are. Excellent prices, great delivery, great publications & website info, but some people do not like a NY attitude on the phone. I've not found it to be true of B&H , but have for other NY sellers.

I don't work for them, BTW.

[Mechworker]

Very interesting indeed. Many thanks.

What's the difference between the 1000 and 1000P, other than price?

[FulciLives]

Very interesting indeed. Many thanks.

What's the difference between the 1000 and 1000P, other than price?

Well that never really made sense to me because the VIDEOGUYS website offers only one version of the DataVideo TBC-1000 which they claim is compatable with both NTSC and PAL

However ... according to B&H ... they carry two models one which ONLY does NTSC and the other ONLY does PAL (the model with the P at the end).

This doesn't "add up" though for B&H because according to the official DataVideo website the TBC-1000 can, and I quote, "Auto-detects NTSC or PAL format" which pretty much means it is capable of doing both.

So yes B&H is respected but I never could figure that out.

If I were you I would get it from VIDEOGUYS.COM instead or ... at the very least ... maybe call up B&H and ask them about it.

I should have pointed out the VIDEOGUYS.COM website before ... I forgot about this strange anomaly with B&H in regards to this product.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[clave]

The Canopus ADVC-100 can be made to defeat MACROVISION and I don't think CGMS/A even bothers it at all. So you can basically use it with any type of video be it VHS or DVD etc.

So how would a fella go about using the Canopus as a MACROVISIOn workaround?