THSCC Forums

We have a large collection of Disney VHS tapes (many still in the shrinkwrap), and I would like to convert them to digital format for personal use. I've never actually tried to copy a commercial tape, so I don't know much about Macrovision (other than that it exists).

My current plan:

Pass the signal out of the VCR through my MiniDV digital camera into the computer. All goes well and I have a bunch of HUGE files. The huge .dv files will be compressed and played back via iPods/AppleTV/burned to DVD (hopefully as data files).

Better plan:
See above, but maybe there is a newer hard drive/flash memory video camera that will compress the files for me (save directly in mp4 format).

I'm not that concerned about video quality, these are all kids movies anyhow.

Anyone have any tech or suggestions about how to best do this (I've not actually tried it yet).

Scott

Would one of those VCR DVD recorder combos work with less of the software hassle?

_________________
1993 Crystal White Miata ST 27 - Slow, but always finishes
2006 Flint Mica Metallic Lexus LS430 - Pure luxury
2005 Toyota Sienna XLE - The "new" Mobile Closet, Sandbox and Grocery Getter

Hey if you need tires, I know a guy....

I've BTDT. Don't bother. IMHO, you own a license to them by owning the tape. So Netflix them on DVD and rip them with DVDShink (assuming Windows...if you're a Mac user then use Handbrake) and then recode them as necessary for your output device. You'll get a much nicer quality video and it's much easier to do. All that capturing in real time is a real pain.

But if you must do it that way, I'm pretty sure there are Macrovision removal tools that will do it as part of any recode you do once you do the capture. Google will likely help with that.

We actually ripped all our kid DVDs and then reburned them back to DVD for use in the two different vehicles we have with DVD players in the rear seats for the kids. Biggest reason we did it was to strip the menus and previews so they can easily restart them themselves. Bonus is that it's sub $1 media they're tearing up when they scratch them and such, so it's cheap to just reburn if they toast one. And they always have their entire selection of movies in each car.

We do try to limit the amount of TV our kids watch, except on long car trips. I'm sure there must be a downside to pacifying them that way, but I'll be damned if I've found it.


--Donnie

^Agreed.
If you really want to use a VCR, use an older model. They don't have macrovision. I'm not sure of the year, but possibly something before 1996. I used to have an older VCR that worked in this way.

_________________
2003 Subaru WRX Sportwagon = daily driver/boost and booster seats
2000 BMW 540iT = wife's kid hauler
2012 Toyota Highlander = the boring reliable vehicle

My folks had a different approach. We heard from the front seat many times, " Don't make me stop this car"

_________________
George Bright Member # 141
One of the youngest of the old farts.
Yes I voted against you joining the club.

AND LOOK HOW YOU TURNED OUT!!!




--Donnie