convert VHS to DVD

[Tim]

Claude Jones:
>>> There are ways to defeat VHS copy protection, but they involve
>>> regenerating the sync pulse portion of the video signal

Tim:
>> While a time base corrector is a good thing to use, as it'll also fix up
>> other tape playback issues (if it'll accept a copy protected signal, in
>> the first place), a cheaper option may be one of the many de-macrovision
>> or video stabiliser boxes that are available.  They just replace the
>> syncs, and don't do anything else to the video signal.

Patrick Doyle:
> I once read that, while MacroVision held the patents on their
> particular mode of copy protection for video tapes, they also held the
> patents on all of the obvious ways to circumvent the copy protection.

Impossible bit of wishful thinking on someone's behalf (like all
fanciful ideas about making it "impossible" to copy something).
Replacing syncs on a video signal is a standard practice in television
studios, when a signal passes through some video equipment.  The idea's
as stupid is trying to outlaw drinking rainwater instead of paying for
the city supply...

In a TV studio, we'd call such a device a "proc amp" (video processing
amplifier).  Apart from allowing us to replace syncs, we can adjust
various video signal levels at the same time.


> I just assumed that there were no consumer "de-macrovision" boxes
> available, since anybody who built one would be (presumably) sued by
> MacroVision for patent infringement.

You won't get a purpose-built "de-macro" box, not because of a patent
reason, but because of anti-piracy laws about circumventing such things.
But since there's other devices that'll do the required task (replace
bastardised syncs with normal ones), you can use one of them.  There's
nothing illegitimate about replacing the syncs on a video signal,
there's many reasons why one might need to do that, none of them have
anything to do with piracy.

Search around for a video stabiliser, or stabilizer, sync re-inserter,
or other device names as have been provided in this thread.  If you
order something from overseas, check that it can work with your local
video standard (60Hz NTSC if you're in America).  You may find such
things advertised as being able to fix up Macrovision, though many have
been threatened by Macrovision for advertising the claim, so they don't
specifically mention that, anymore.

The Silicon Chip magazine produced a simple kit (Dr Video) for doing it
in Australia, years ago, that could probably be modified for the
differences between our PAL system and other country's video systems.
It's sold through Jaycar.

-- 
(This PC runs FC4, my others FC5 & FC6, in case that's important
 to the thread)

Don't send private replies to my address, the mailbox is ignored.
I read messages from the public lists.