
DVDs to VHS
This guide will help you make perfect videotape copy of your dvds. Disclaimer: This guide is only intended for people to backup dvds that they personally OWN .
Material you will need:
Dvd playing software(Xingdvd,Powerdvd,Realmagic etc.) Video card with tv output(better if you have a realmagic decoder card) Macrovision and Zone disabling software Vcr Good blank tape Tvtool- for those with nvidia video card( allow better tv-out quality) Goto my link section for softwaresStep 1:Setup and Testing
Hookup the tv-output from the video card or decoder to the vcr. Then vcr to tv if you haven't done so.You will get better video quality if you used s-video cable. Now connect the audio output from your computer to the vcr. You might need to use an rca adapter. Put the movie in your computer and play it with your dvd player. Select the language and subtitle. Select tv-out in the control setting of the dvd player(refer to the manual of the software). Make sure you have sound and picture on the tv and that everything is correct. If there is no sound or video make sure all the wired are connected correctly. *Note: make sure your vcr is in "line in" mode. If the picture and sound are perfect then skip to step 3.
Step 2:Disabling macrovision Most movie today are protected by macrovision which make the picture unwatchable when connected to a vcr. The main symptoms are jerky picture and unstable colors. If your movie seem perfect when connected to a vcr then just skip to the next part(Some movie are not macrovision protected).
Step 3:Copying If everything is perfect now, you should have no problem copying the movie.You should try copying part of the movie first then replay it to make sure that everything is correctly setup. In some rare cases you will see color while recording the movie but the copy is black and white. This problem is caused by tv-out frequency. Refer to the dvdplayer manual on how to change this frequency. On hollywoodplus dvdplayer you will need to goto the expert setting in the advanced option folder during tvout mode. The frequency should be set lower or higher until you can get color.