Copy protection

[reevepd]

I've just got a Pioneer 444 but, because my TV is pretty old and has no SCART socket, the DVD is connected via SCART to my VCR and then on to the TV via coaxial. Unfortunately, because of copy prtection (I assume), the picture is garbled on the newest discs I have - which are, of course, the ones I most want to watch.

I plan to get a new TV pretty soon, but is there any way round this problem in the meantime?

Cheers,
Paul

[kcxdev]

sounds like the problem is macrovision (the copy protection as you said), I assume the player is not modified in anyway. If so, you can either get it chipped (or firmware modified), or try one of those scart leads which disable macrovision. Ringos (http://www.ringos.co.uk) do one called the Mac Master or something liek that :)

[reevepd]

The player is chipped for regions - all the problems have been with R1 discs, but I'm not getting any region errors, and it's not a PAL/NTSC problem either.

Thanks for your input! Shame there's no free and easy solution, but I'll be getting that new TV soon anyway...

Cheers,
Paul

[Justin]

Originally posted by reevepd
The player is chipped for regions - all the problems have been with R1 discs, but I'm not getting any region errors, and it's not a PAL/NTSC problem either.

Cheers,
Paul

Erm, it is a NTSC/PAL issue, if is only happening on R1 discs (Which are NTSC). DOmestic VCRs onyl accept PAL50 signals, unless you have a multistandard VCR (not one that says "NTSC playback!).

Cheers

[Monkey_Boy]

reevepd,

Not the cheapest fix but if I were you I'd buy a new TV!!!

[reevepd]

Ah, thanks Justin. The VCR says it will take either but I hadn't realised that was just for playback. I now wish I hadn't bought Fight Club in R1 just for the headbutt :(.

New TV at the weekend, hopefully, and then all should be well with the world!

Cheers all for the advice.

Paul

[LV426]

Originally posted by Justin
Erm, it is a NTSC/PAL issue, if is only happening on R1 discs (Which are NTSC). Domestic VCRs only accept PAL50 signals,
I'm not so sure. What you say WOULD be true if you were trying to RECORD said NTSC video signal. But, just passing it through the RF converter shouldn't affect it.

Make sure your DVD player is set to output PAL. Even if this is pseudo-PAL (525/60) the VCR should transmit it to the TV OK.

But, it will add grain/noise to the signal. A new TV with line inputs (eg Scart) would be the best choice.

[kcxdev]

Originally posted by LV426

I'm not so sure. What you say WOULD be true if you were trying to RECORD said NTSC video signal. But, just passing it through the RF converter shouldn't affect it.


this would be true if it was all connected thru coax but the DVD is connected via scart to the video (and then coax to TV). Wouldn't this mean that the video is sending the NTSC signal from the scart thru the coax?