Best "Black Box" for overriding VHS Macrovision and CopyGuard?

[will7370]

I've got hundreds of old titles on VHS tape I'd like to preserve. What's the best "black box" out there on the market now for overriding VHS Macrovision and CopyGuard when transferring to DVD? I'm looking for something to physically put in-line between my VCR and my DVD burner deck.

[fooledagain]

Check out world-import.com. The CopiAll does a decent job via composite or s-video connection. I have one and am very satisfied with the results.

[guns1inger]

Personally I would get a TBC if you have that many. Not only will it remove the offending signal errors, but it will help stabilise and sync correct your source while transferring. That said, it might also be cheaper to just by the DVD versions of those that have been released, as you will never get the same quality from VHS source.

[fooledagain]

Personally I would get a TBC if you have that many. Not only will it remove the offending signal errors, but it will help stabilise and sync correct your source while transferring. That said, it might also be cheaper to just by the DVD versions of those that have been released, as you will never get the same quality from VHS source.

I agree, but my understanding is that a good TBC is at least $300 USD. I got the CopiAll for $145 total and the DVD transfer is looks as good as the original VHS.

[VegasBud]

As someone who has transferred hundreds of VHS tapes to digital, I would definitely agree with guns1inger about using a TBC. An avt-8710 (like I've been using for years) is currently $215 at bhphoto, which is just $60 more than fooledagain paid. For that extra $60 you get a full-on TBC with built-in proc-amp which lets you also adjust brightness, contrast, color, tint (NTSC) and sharpness as you're making the transfer. If you've got a big job, it makes life so much easier to have quality tools.

Once you're done with it, you could even sell it (on ebay, for example) and get part of your money back.