DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) (page 8)
- Introduction
- DVD Formats
- DVD Configurations and Basic design
- DVD-R and DVD-RW or RAM
- DVD-ROM
- DVD-Video and DVD-Audio
- Red laser vs. Blue laser
- DVD--> VHS
- DVD-->DVD
- DVD R/RW Format Compatibility
- White Papers
Copying DVD to VHS tape
Let's imagine that you have a movie on DVD that you wish to copy onto VHS tape. In this case, Sima Video Color Corrector is the right tool for you.
In addition to its advertized features such as control of brightness, color, tint, sharpness, etc., Sima Video Color Corrector also effectively eliminates Macrovision's copy protection - which is illegal to do - and allows for the analog signal from the DVD player to be copied onto VHS without distortions. It is very simple to install and works with both S-video and composite inputs/outputs.
The problem with copying DVDs and copy-protected VHS tapes is that the copy-protected media stores and reproduces some extra information which affects the AGC (automatic gain control) chip of your VCR but doesn't have any effect on the TV picture. The NTSC video standard (the TV broadcast standard used in North America and Japan) has 525-line vertical resolution but only 480 of those lines are used for the video information. The remaining 45 lines carry control codes, closed captions, and other non-video data. Macrovision copy protection adds certain codes to these control lines that are interpreted by an AGC chip in a VCR to distort the video signal during video recording. When the VCR records the copy-protected material, this additional signal modulates the AGC output, which results in continuos brightness/color modulation in the recorded signal and renders the copy difficult to view if not completely useless. While the VCR is sensitive to all the information in the signal, the TV set "doesn't see" the extra lines and isn't affected by the signal distortion. This technology is described in the Macrovision's 1986 Patent #4,631,603 "Method and apparatus for processing a video signal so as to prohibit the making of acceptable video tape recordings thereof".
Sima Video Color Corrector "cuts off" those additional 45 lines of non-video information and allows the data to be recorded by a VCR without distortions. Of course, instead of the "perfect" digital format one gets a lower-resolution analog replica of it. Moreover, the ability to select chapters, additional sound tracks, multiple language selection, menu navigation, etc., are removed. If you don't care about these convenient features, then this is the way for you to go.
Sima Video Color Corrector comes in two (at least) versions - the Pro version, called Sima SCC Video Color Corrector, with the multiple adjustable controls, and in the Light version, called Sima SED-CM CopyMaster, which adjusts everything automaticaly.
The main features of both products are summarized next:
- Controls brightness,color, tint, and sharpness to improve video signal
- Fine tunes red, blue and green colors to achieve correct white balance
- Restores sync and color burst for solid copies
- Provides full electronic bypass to see before and after picures easiy
- Supports composite and S-video sources and outputs
- Copy DVDs and tapes for home use
- Stabilizes video signals for crisp, bright copies
- Uses self-setting digital technology--nothing to adjust
- S-VHS, VHS-C, VHS, 8mm, and Hi-8 compatibility
- Notice: Use of this product for unauthorized duplication of copyrighted material from DVD, VHS, or other media is prohibited under federal copyright laws unless the copy qualifies as a fair use under the Copyright Laws
As previously reported, copying movies using the lower-end device (Sima SED-CM CopyMaster) may produce some problems with the color, for example, the replica can produce an excessively yellow hue. This phenomena is NOT observed on all VCR-DVD combinations and may not be a problem for you too. To avoid problems like these, use the high-end Sima SCC Video Color Corrector which can easily eliminate such problems by allowing for a simple color and brightness adjustment protocol.
Again, please be aware that the copying of copyrighted materials is illegal and you do it at your own risk. Usbyte.com does NOT promote the illegal transfer and/or copying of any copyrighted material and all risks and responsibility are assumed by the individual party involved in the activity.