Copy Protection of UK vhs

[Atmos]

Having looked at the various options for archiving my Surf Videos I have decided on the easier but more expensive route of Canopus hardware encoders. How likely is it that the Surf Videos I buy here in the UK will have copy protection and of what sort? Will it state on the packaging if there is anti copying measures employed? I understand from posts to your forums that the advc 100 can disable Macrovision. Is there ways of doing this with the 50 or the 1394 version?

[KingJohn]

Macrovision is the main tool, but in the past there have been may players that don't have it built in. Places like Maplin will also sell boxes to bypass it.

I think the US is about to pass a law stating that packages will have a notice on them, and I guess eventually the UK will follow, I don't know if it already has this law...

I have mostly used Philips recorders, and never had a problem, don't know if this will always be this way.

[Atmos]

Thanks. I just checked the maplins site and found the Video Signal Conditioner "no more noise bars or flashing pictures" when copying vhs.