agentrfr
Executive Member
Solution:
1 Old PC + 1TB HDD + TV Tuner card = problem solved.
1 Old PC + 1TB HDD + TV Tuner card = problem solved.
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Question of the Day: Are you keeping your Prime subscription?
Latest software update on HD-PVR enables Macrovision?
- Thread starter geezer
- Start date
Solution for exactly what?martin
Expert Member
Just to get some clarification, does this only affect content recorded onto the pvr previously meaning you won't be able to backup recorded shows OR does this affect live content as well meaning DVD/HDD/VHS recorders will soon be completely useless?
Smurfatefrog
Expert Member
Live content as well
Jola
Honorary Master
As mentioned in my previous post, just get a time-base corrector to repair the corruption caused by Macrovision.
You get a better picture as well - I have had one permanently installed for many years.
You get a better picture as well - I have had one permanently installed for many years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rovi_Corporation#Analog_copy_protection
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Base_Corrector
They are not cheap and vary widely in price.
Ares
Well-Known Member
A bit off the topic, what is the "performance" on the HD Pvr after latest upgardes, and is it time to buy one yet?
Quantum Theory
Executive Member
Just check other threads in this section... Most people WITH HD decoders will say, yes.
Ares
Well-Known Member
Suppose they will know better than those who don't have one
Nerfherder
Honorary Master
Another question, if they implement this on the SD devices, how will it affect people who are using a DVD writer to upscale their picture ?
I still want to get my Dad's old Dual view and hook it up to a Tivo or DVD writer. Still very tempted to not waste my time and carry on downloading the TV that I want.
Well done MC on yet another EPIC FAIL.
I still want to get my Dad's old Dual view and hook it up to a Tivo or DVD writer. Still very tempted to not waste my time and carry on downloading the TV that I want.
Well done MC on yet another EPIC FAIL.
ToxicBunny
Oi! Leave me out of this...
R2000 just for that?...
Thats a bit excessive if you ask me, most people won't be prepared to spend that.
Thats a bit excessive if you ask me, most people won't be prepared to spend that.
Jola
Honorary Master
I've got a similar device that I picked up locally for about R600, but that was a few years ago.
I have also seen such devices on eBay for USD139.50.
I have also seen such devices on eBay for USD139.50.
martin
Expert Member
Well that sucks - not just for us but for the various recorder/writer manufacturers as well.
macrovision is not device dependant, its in the stream. Unfortunately as I found out from my Pioneer DVD-R a lot of Multichoice films have it 
However there is hope, there are a few DVD-R's in the country that have macrovision support turned off. Remember the key is not the playback, its finding a recording device that ignores the macrovision, macrovision is embedded in the video.
Another option is to record on a PC with the right hardware, since 99% of that can be configured to bypass macrovision.
If I do go to the the USA this year though I'll pick up a macrovision device. I just need to make sure they're not listed on the banned items at customs.
However there is hope, there are a few DVD-R's in the country that have macrovision support turned off. Remember the key is not the playback, its finding a recording device that ignores the macrovision, macrovision is embedded in the video.
Another option is to record on a PC with the right hardware, since 99% of that can be configured to bypass macrovision.
If I do go to the the USA this year though I'll pick up a macrovision device. I just need to make sure they're not listed on the banned items at customs.
Nerfherder
Honorary Master
We should create a list of devices that disble macrovision, like a buyers guide.
As per my understanding, they only made changes to CGMS (Copy Guard Management System) and not to Macrovision.
For the most part, this still allows you to record on to VHS without any problems. (Unless your VHS machine is really new, (and supports CGMS) which is unlikely in this day and age.)
As for recording onto a DVD Recorder's built in HDD or onto another HDD, this can still be done as long as the device supports CGMS. (Most do.)
When recording onto DVD though, the DVD itself must support CPRM (Content Protection for Recordable Media) which, to my understanding, is not currently available in SA. (Well, not any more as they cost more.)
For the most part, this still allows you to record on to VHS without any problems. (Unless your VHS machine is really new, (and supports CGMS) which is unlikely in this day and age.)
As for recording onto a DVD Recorder's built in HDD or onto another HDD, this can still be done as long as the device supports CGMS. (Most do.)
When recording onto DVD though, the DVD itself must support CPRM (Content Protection for Recordable Media) which, to my understanding, is not currently available in SA. (Well, not any more as they cost more.)
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For those who are a little bored and want to understand how it works, read on. For everybody else, just ignore this post. 
Macrovision is the older way of doing copy protection for analogue sources. Basically it messed with the "automatic gain control" by knocking off the sync at the top of the screen. This has not been implemented on the decoders so recording to VHS should never be a problem.
CGMS is the newer technology used for copy protection on digital sources. What it does is place a 'flag' in the VBI which is basically just the blank spaces after the last line of a frame. Pretty much every recording device is (as per international laws) designed to look for these flags. If the flag is there, it will not record. Some newer VHS machines actually support CGMS.
On a final note, (and as an interesting bit of useless info), there are two types of flags that can be set.
1. "CopyNoMore" - This flag tells the machine that this source may not be copied under any circumstances.
2. "CopyOnce" - This flag tells the machine that it is allowed to copy the source but once copied, it must replace the "CopyOnce" flags with "CopyNoMore" flags.
Obviously, if there are no flags, the machine knows it can copy as many times as it likes.
Macrovision is the older way of doing copy protection for analogue sources. Basically it messed with the "automatic gain control" by knocking off the sync at the top of the screen. This has not been implemented on the decoders so recording to VHS should never be a problem.
CGMS is the newer technology used for copy protection on digital sources. What it does is place a 'flag' in the VBI which is basically just the blank spaces after the last line of a frame. Pretty much every recording device is (as per international laws) designed to look for these flags. If the flag is there, it will not record. Some newer VHS machines actually support CGMS.
On a final note, (and as an interesting bit of useless info), there are two types of flags that can be set.
1. "CopyNoMore" - This flag tells the machine that this source may not be copied under any circumstances.
2. "CopyOnce" - This flag tells the machine that it is allowed to copy the source but once copied, it must replace the "CopyOnce" flags with "CopyNoMore" flags.
Obviously, if there are no flags, the machine knows it can copy as many times as it likes.