DVD to VHS copy

[Gintaras]

Is there way to copy DVDs to VHS tape[DVD player->VHS recorder]?

Have anyone done that and is there any device to be hooked between DVD player and VHS?

TIA for any suggestions/advices.

[Charliey]

hmm, i know that dvd players have the built-in static creator, so you cant do this, but would work work for a dvd drive on a computer using a tv out on the computer?

just a guess, there might be similar restrictions on that method somehow though.

[RJ]

I've done that with my PC (DVD drive, then VCR hooked up to TV-Out, then play DVD and record VHS, that's it).

No experience with standalone DVD players, though.

RJ

[lovitz]

I did this on a home unit dvd player ( Toshiba SD-1600 ) and my JVC 4 head HIfi stereo vcr, and the quality sucks. It looks like you taped the source off the tv. The resolution is cut in half.

[Xayd]

The static is called Macrovision, a very pathetic excuse for output encryption .

You'd either have to build a filter to put between the devices, or use a PC DVD player with a software filter to disable the Macrovision.

Xayd

[Charliey]

RJ, is the quality as good as the dvd when you copy it onto a vhs with a computer?

just wondering, because the tv out is completely separate from the dvd, so im not sure if it would have the macrovision or not.

[audiyoda]

The only way I've ever seen this work is with a TV that has RCA out's. DVD--->TV--->VCR. Get's past the encrytion, but the added gain stage really kills video quality.

-Craig

[Xayd]

Yes, it does affect the video quality. The way it works is (tell me if I'm wrong Audiyoda), a TV checks for changes in signal gain rather slowly, whereas a VCR does it at a much more regular interval.

So, on that knowledge, if you vary the output gain of a video signal within the time frame that the TV will be able to catch it, you can fool the VCR but not the TV. I assume this is why older VCRs don't seem to care whether a VHS tape or DVD has Macrovision or not.

On the same token, if you run the video signal through a filter to smooth out the variations in gain you'll defeat the whole process. This is what these "video clarifier" devices do.

[Gintaras]

Thanks everyone for replies.

Originally posted by Xayd On the same token, if you run the video signal through a filter to smooth out the variations in gain you'll defeat the whole process. This is what these "video clarifier" devices do.

Is there a place where to obtain DVD -> VHS decoder?


I have VHS -> VHS decoder and it works pretty well. I have at least 3 VHS tapes that without decoder I couldn't make a copy. And VHS->VHS decoder I have, also clarifies picture when viewing rented VHS tapes. Because, If you pay more attention, picture slightly changes from darker to lighter all the time while viewing rented VHS tapes.

[Xayd]

The one I have would work with anything, it's RCA in and RCA out, video only (sound isn't modified by Macrovision, just the video).

Search around the net for "Video Clarifier", you'll find one. Only downside is it runs on batteries, so you might want to get an adapter for that as well, as the batteries don't last long.

BTW, there was a discussion amongst the admins that this thread was "questionable", but it's not blatantly suggestive of illegality. It's perfectly legal to backup anything that you own, so that was the premise for letting this one go unlocked. Bottom line IMHO is, Macrovision is stupid, and it decreases image quality, and it isn't really even effective, so therefore defeating it isn't necessarily a bad thing. Don't use the devices out there to pirate movies, though. The movie studios have learned the lesson that the record industry is still fighting against, and have made movies reasonable in price. That's all I've ever asked, and I'm willing to pay what something is worth. So buy your movies, they're worth it . Unless we're talking Star Wars Episode I or anything involving Pauly Shore. In that case, I admit, the movie itself is useless and not worthy of discussion .

Xayd

[RJ]

RJ, is the quality as good as the dvd when you copy it onto a vhs with a computer?

No, that's not possible. The quality of a VHS tape is not as good as the quality of a DVD. The quality would be decreased to the best possible with VHS.

RJ

[alan]

Sorry for the lateness but I haven't visited in a while due to work.
I have a buddy who has some nice DVD programs. If you have a DVD drive, not a stand alone, he has a Macrovision crack. I believe the program allows the user to convert the movie to be saved on the HD in some unviewable format, just raw data. Then the program processes the raw data to remove the macrovision lines of code. I understand this is a 6-10 hour process per movie. Then he can output the processed file to a VCR via RCA outs on his videocard. I've borrowed a number of his DVDtoVHS copies and while they are not DVD quality, they are sharper than VHS.
He has another program that converts DVD to viewable PC vid files but the files are ridiculously huge. Besides we've all seen net porno so this program isn't anything new.
If I can get more details I'll let you guys know.

[archie]

Here we go again. It's one thing to copy your own DVDs, but here, someone elses master is being copied. In essence, this is stealing. If you can live with yourself doing that, so be it, just keep it out of these forums.

[walleymo]

I used a stand alone DVD player and one of those tv/vcr combos. I guess the DVD player thinks it's just a regular tv. Try it.