Macrovision Removal Help!

[cold_187]

Hi, So my TBC (Keywest Tech. Big VooDoo TBC-10) died on me, now I need a device that can remove macro-vision without breaking the bank. I tried without TBC and it looks fine for the most part, (actually looked kinda sharper, tbh). The only problems I'm getting is some very small jitters that happens like around every 10 seconds maybe and some very faint horizontal lines whenever colors like green or red is showing. I was wondering if something like the "Sima CopyMaster SED-CM" would be enough to fix this problem, or do I really need to buy another TBC.

[orsetto]

If MV is truly the only issue you needed your TBC to solve, then yes, something like the Sima CopyMaster SED CM should serve equally well. The Sima CT series is newer, as are its clones DP5000 and DP9000. The Grex is an updated, popular version of the Sima CT design, available brand new everywhere including Amazon for about $80 give or take. Generic Sima CT and DP5000 knockoffs sell for $99-$139: The Grex is the better deal for the same technology.

The Grex and similar "digital"-promoted devices filter both the old VHS analog and newer digital interference schemes (that prevent recording of digital media by analog-connected recorders). Your TBC, or any modern properly-functioning TBC, should do this as well. Unfortunately finding a TBC that is fully-functional (and not a box of moldering crap) is not that easy or affordable anymore, new or used.

The Sima SED CM is more like one of the old-school filter boxes that were dedicated to clearing VHS MV signals only. Thousands of these were sold in the 80s and 90s, usually generic black boxes the size of a cigarette pack running off a 9v battery (the Sima was perhaps the last of these, circa 2003, so looks different). A few mfrs still sell generic VHS filters, but distribution is erratic (here today at one web link, then gone tomorrow). At the moment Amazon has one for $29 at this link and another for $49 at this link. Tons of 'em on eBay for $25: just search for "video stabilizer." They handle most tapes but fail on a few: I've used similar boxes to dub VHS to dvd recorders and USB PC encoder dongles with 90% success rate. Surprisingly, their video performance is more transparent than the Simas, Grex or any TBC I've used, so I prefer them.

If 100% success rate is more important to you than slightly better video, get the Sima CT, a DP5000, or a Grex. Those will fix every tape every time. The older Sima SED CM and other generic VHS-only filters will fail with 1 out of 10 tapes (those with outrageously overdone MV).

[cold_187]

I've seen a video on youtube about those little boxes, they seem to work well. I was gonna buy it but composite captures with my setup results in rainbow like artifacts on the fine details, so I preferably need one with an s-video connection. I'm most certain it's just macro-vision as far as I can see. All of my captures are stable and looks great (other than the problems I've mentioned) as my VCR deck has built in TBC. I would think about buying the Grex, but for now my eyes are set on the Sima CopyMaster SED CM.

Thanks for your input on this, it really helped.

[orsetto]

composite captures with my setup results in rainbow like artifacts on the fine details, so I preferably need one with an s-video connection.

Sorry, I should have mentioned the VHS-only filters typically do not have an S-video connection: they're composite-only as you've discovered. The Sima SED CM is the only one I've seen that included S-video option, but it is long discontinued, had some issues, and can be ridiculously overpriced depending on supply-demand (because of the Sima name, and because anything LordSmurf so much as sneezed at in a forum post automatically becomes a cult item forever after).

I understand your specific reasoning for wanting the Sima SED CM, but most other people with general-purpose needs and S-video hardware should opt for a newer digital-era filter like DP5000 or Grex. They're far more easy to find brand new, build quality is more consistent, and success rate with MV tapes is 100%. They don't cost all that much more than an ancient Sima SED CM, while being nearly as future-proof as a TBC for other filtering modes.

[cold_187]

The Sima SED CM is super cheap. They go for $23-$40. I think I would take a chance at it cause I still don't know shipping price shipping price to my country.

Also what about capture cards/devices that ignores macrovision? Would that be a better option?

[orsetto]

Didn't realize you were not located in North America: some items might be more difficult for you to obtain from typical web sources. If you can get a Sima SED CM for $23-$40 locally, that would be a decent deal. Here in USA they go for anywhere between $30-$100. The true value is $30 or not much more, because newer better stabilizers are the best choice over $50.

The Sima SED CM is primarily a "weak TBC" designed to recondition wonky VHS signals and make them more steady. As a secondary feature, it does filter MV from many VHS tapes. But it wasn't specifically meant for that purpose, so it doesn't work with all tapes from all studios. And some versions of Sima SED CM don't cure MV at all (they are unmarked as such, so there's no way to know until you try a particular example). If you can find one for under $40 its certainly worth a try, if it doesn't work for your tapes you could always resell it.

Capture devices that ignore MV are not common: the few that do are often old, scarce, or perversely not good with VHS in other ways. The Hauppauge 1250 series was recently mentioned here as being immune to MV: it is a USB dongle, not a card. Probably would cost you more than a box like the Sima, with added software issues. If you are happy with the capture setup on your PC, don't change it: just get a stabilizer box to clear the MV problem.

[Pinto007]

Magewell Pro Capture HDMI is also immune to MV, but costs a lot, lot more

[SameSelf]

(because of the Sima name, and because anything LordSmurf so much as sneezed at in a forum post automatically becomes a cult item forever after).

lol, i purposely avoid whatever LS recs. no wonder my capture setup only cost me $30.

[lordsmurf]

Sima doesn't make TBCs, and none of those filters are TBCs.

If your capture setup only cost $30, you're missing vital components to do a good job: VCR and TBC especially. You can't even find a decent capture stick for $30, as that budget will get you a crappy EZcap/Easycap. A quality DIY setup will easily cost $500-1k, and anything less will yield lousy quality results. Video can and should look better, with proper equipment. And there's no rule you have to keep the quality hardware: buy it, use it, resell it.

I do agree that my advice has (at times) affected second-hand market pricing, because those items are subject to supply and demand. When you're dealing with non-new items, it's not hard for demand to exceed supply. But that's also why, even now, I'm always on the lookout for more good hardware. Even now, I'm looking at 3-4 models of TBCs, 1-2 VCRs, and 1-2 capture cards. At least 1 TBC is good, 1 VCR is good (and may displace the 1980!), and I'm hoping at least 1 capture card will be good. I'll post those results on my home site (digitalFAQ.com) in due time.

[usually_quiet]

Sima doesn't make TBCs, and none of those filters are TBCs.

If your capture setup only cost $30, you're missing vital components to do a good job: VCR and TBC especially. You can't even find a decent capture stick for $30, as that budget will get you a crappy EZcap/Easycap. A quality DIY setup will easily cost $500-1k, and anything less will yield lousy quality results. Video can and should look better, with proper equipment. And there's no rule you have to keep the quality hardware: buy it, use it, resell it.

I do agree that my advice has (at times) affected second-hand market pricing, because those items are subject to supply and demand. When you're dealing with non-new items, it's not hard for demand to exceed supply. But that's also why, even now, I'm always on the lookout for more good hardware. Even now, I'm looking at 3-4 models of TBCs, 1-2 VCRs, and 1-2 capture cards. At least 1 TBC is good, 1 VCR is good (and may displace the 1980!), and I'm hoping at least 1 capture card will be good. I'll post those results on my home site (digitalFAQ.com) in due time.

Selfie is using this: https://www.amazon.com/I-connection-video-capture-GV-USB2/dp/B00428BF1Y

He posted some sample captures in this thread: https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/379847-I-O-Data-GV-USB2-NTSC-Capture-Test vaporeon800 pointed out to him that while the device itself is not terrible, his samples confirmed the device still needed a line TBC. So, yes Selfie can capture VHS for $30, but his results would be much improved with a line TBC.

However he continues to ignore what was said because his main reason for being a member here is trolling.