Copying Video Tapes to DVD

[firetracie]

I have quite a large library of pre-recorded video tapes and want to transfer them to DVD. However, my clever (AARGH!) DVD recorder tells me it detects 'copy protected' media and won't record them.

Does anyone know how I can transfer my library to DVD so I don't have to buy them all again - my collection goes back a long way and I suspect some of them haven't even been released as DVD's.

Thanks a lot for your help.

[Ethel]

I bet the older ones aren't copy protected.

And on some, apparently, there is a hole in the back which simply needs to be covered with selotape. How true that is, I don't know, but another ABer is quite adamant it works.

[firetracie]

Thanks Ethel. x

It's worth a try.

[pug100]

I'm afraid if you really want your VHS collection on DVD you will have to buy them again. You cannot simply copy pre recorded VHS onto DVD because of Macrovision which is recorded onto the tape along with the video signal.
See here for details http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrovision

All DVD recorders are the same I'm afraid. You may be able to bypass this by copying via a sync stripper or timebase corrector which removes the Macrovision signal but these aren't cheap. An example is here

http://www.vtx.co.uk/video/digiboxtbc.htm#FAQs
and here
http://www.avtoolbox.com/tbcpage.shtml

Ethel - the hole in the back of VHS tapes only prevents you from accidentally recording on your video cassette. As you say you can circumvent this by putting sticky tape over the hole.

[Whiskery Ron]

whatever you do ,DO NOT cover the hole at the back of your Video Cassettes you could lose all of your precious videos.

[Ethel]

That is what I thought, re covering the hole.

I have successfully copied many older pre-recorded videos to dvd - they never had the copy protection technology, just the usual warning at the begining.

[MVP]

I understand that some Samsung and LiteOn DVD Recorder/Video combos can do this for - the trick is to start playing the video for a few seconds before pressing record on the DVD recorder. Your mileage may vary; if this works for you, please respect the copyright holder.

[Hammer]

You can buy a scart lead that removes macrovision protection. I have one myself bought specifically for this purpose and it works perfectly.

Try these below
http://www.ktvision.com/shop/osc/product_info. php?cPath=39&products_id=198
http://www.sonel.com/

[firetracie]

Thanks Hammer - you're a star!

[Andyban]

I had some macrovision films and I got round it by sending it to a transfer company. I used these guys http://www.vt.tv but the second time I found these guys who were cheaper and actually did a better quality job http://www.video-to-dvd.co.uk good luck mate.

[MoonRiverws]

some software can help us,such us,Mac DVD Burner,which can burn Protected videos to DVD on Mac...
http://www.dvdburnermacosx.com/tutorial/tutori al-mac-dvd-creator.html#129