copy protected vhs :(

[jmobley]

I have a new hp dvd movie writer dc4000 I purchased to put my movies on dvd. I am so frustrated as I find many of my movies are copy protected. I am not wanting to make copies to sell, just one for my family to use, and hopefully move away from viewing tapes.

If it is possible to make a copy, any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Forum Troll]

Do a forum search for "macrovision removal".

[jmobley]

Thank you, had been seeing macrovision removal, but had no idea if that was what I was dealing with.

[Capmaster]

I have a new hp dvd movie writer dc4000 I purchased to put my movies on dvd. I am so frustrated as I find many of my movies are copy protected. I am not wanting to make copies to sell, just one for my family to use, and hopefully move away from viewing tapes.

If it is possible to make a copy, any suggestions would be appreciated.

The best way is to buy a TBC, but they can be expensive. I would recommend this route especially if you plan on doing many tape transfers in the next few years.

There are cheaper devices to strip off the macrovision, but many of them distort the video too. Be careful which one you buy and research it before plunking down hard cash.

[jmobley]

Thank you, I will start seaching for TBC to gain knowledge about this product.

The video writer I have, has the capture card on board. It seemed many posts I read discussed buying a different capture card, which I am not sure, but does not seem like that applies to my equipment.

Thank you very much for your help.

[davewave]

Try using the red/white/yellow connectors on the front (if it has them), rather than the Scart inputs. I previously had a phillips dvdr880 which allowed macrovision tapes to be recorded onto DVD that way.
This may be pecular to this recorder though, but worth a try.

[Capmaster]

Try using the red/white/yellow connectors on the front (if it has them), rather than the Scart inputs. I previously had a phillips dvdr880 which allowed macrovision tapes to be recorded onto DVD that way.
This may be pecular to this recorder though, but worth a try.

I don't think any equipment has SCART connectors this side of the pond. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think we are limited to RF, composite, s-video and R G B component inputs here.

jmobley,
Just so you're not shocked, a decent TBC will run you $250 - $300. A cheaper macrovision remover will run you about $50 - $150, but there again, you have the risk of hurting the video quality when you use one of these. A thorough forum search here ought to help you narrow it down if you go that route.

[hech54]

I own this handy little device back in the states and highly recommend it. I used it to go from HVS and DVD to my Philips DVD Recorder(985 model). A bit pricey especially when you receive it and see how small it is but it works VERY well.

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

[troyvcd1]

If you transfer from vhs through your camcorder to the computer you do not have to worry about macrovision.

[jmobley]

I will try that tomorrow before buying anything. Thank you for the suggestion.

[lordsmurf]

Hech54, for that much money, why not just buy a full TBC ?
The AVT-8710 does not cost too much more.

[hech54]

Hech54, for that much money, why not just buy a full TBC ?
The AVT-8710 does not cost too much more.

Very true....but I did not know anything about TBC at the time I bought the Video Filter....hell I was still using my DVD Recorder to backup my DVD movies...
But what's done is done and for rookies like myself who MAY be willing to fork over the money to remove macrovision....this little bugger really does work well.
My father is using it now back home in the states. There is always a way around VHS tape protection here in "scart-land"..

[nelson133]

What has worked very well for me in the Canopus ADVC box, which not only converts analogue input to digital via firewire, but also removes macrovision. It costs about $250 and also locks a to v so that you don't have a synchro problem.
However you do the capture, I suggest you look into using something like AVIsynth or Virtualdub to clean up the capture before burning. Both of these programs are free and do and amazing job. Nyah Levi

[handyguy]

Beta is immune to macrovision.

[hech54]

Are European VHS tapes protected in any way? I've never come across one that couldn't be copied to my DVD Recorder.