Macrovision stabiliser/remover

Mike · 06-07-2004, 22:07

Hi all

What do people think of this Macrovision stabiliser/remover advertised on ebay........do you think it's a good buy or could anyone recommend another device...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...707558489&rd=1

this is all this ebayer seems to sell

Regards

Mike

06-07-2004, 22:26

very grey area - device intended to enable copying of copyright material.

Ebay are not liable for the use stuff sold on their site is put to, but I'm fairly sure discussion about this device won't be allowed on this site.

I'm happy to join in, if it is

06-07-2004, 22:29

We can always throw a legitimate use into the pot.

If you have a limited number of SCART sockets on your television, you could route the signal from a DVD player through the SCART-through on a VCR, but the Macrovision would kick in an affect playback. With this device you could do it, so it could have a legitimate use.

Is that enough to keep the thread alive? After all, I`m sure that could be the only reason why Mike was asking

06-07-2004, 22:42

looks ok if not a little expensive

abailey152 · 06-07-2004, 22:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr wadd

We can always throw a legitimate use into the pot.

If you have a limited number of SCART sockets on your television, you could route the signal from a DVD player through the SCART-through on a VCR, but the Macrovision would kick in an affect playback. With this device you could do it, so it could have a legitimate use.

Is that enough to keep the thread alive? After all, I`m sure that could be the only reason why Mike was asking

And another legitimate reason would be to condition the signal fed to a projector. Some projectors do not like Macrovision too much so removing it helps the picture quality.

TheBlueRaja · 06-07-2004, 22:43

Looked at his feedback - he's been selling this item before and other users seem happy with it.

Although feedback itself is not rock solid - this one looks OK at least.

**Paul** · 06-07-2004, 22:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by homealone

very grey area - device intended to enable copying of copyright material.

Ebay are not liable for the use stuff sold on their site is put to, but I'm fairly sure discussion about this device won't be allowed on this site.

I'm not aware of them being illegal in themselves - only using them to break copyright laws (unless someone can tell me different), so I'm going to leave this topic in place to discuss legal uses of them. It may be removed if my understanding proves to be incorrect.

06-07-2004, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pem

I'm not aware of them being illegal in themselves - only using them to break copyright laws (unless someone can tell me different), so I'm going to leave this topic in place to discuss legal uses of them. It may be removed if my understanding proves to be incorrect.

fair enough

I have heard that some ATI capture enabled cards are oversensitive to macrovision, a device like this to enable capture of legal vcr pictures, for example ( like a birthday party) could be useful.

dilli-theclaw · 07-07-2004, 07:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pem

I'm not aware of them being illegal in themselves - only using them to break copyright laws (unless someone can tell me different), so I'm going to leave this topic in place to discuss legal uses of them. It may be removed if my understanding proves to be incorrect.

Maplin used to sell a box which did the same thing as this... It was withdrawn under 'pressure' from film companys.

Which is a shame as the box was rather good (from what I hear

)

Maybe some shops may still have one or two in their bargain bin type thing?

dilli-theclaw · 07-07-2004, 07:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by homealone

fair enough

I have heard that some ATI capture enabled cards are oversensitive to macrovision, a device like this to enable capture of legal vcr pictures, for example ( like a birthday party) could be useful.

Oddly my TV card (Hauppage one) on my fileserver computer doesn't seem to be affected at all by macrovision - Not from DVD / Sky OR Video's....

Mike · 07-07-2004, 08:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilligaf1701

Maplin used to sell a box which did the same thing as this... It was withdrawn under 'pressure' from film companys.

Which is a shame as the box was rather good (from what I hear

)

Maybe some shops may still have one or two in their bargain bin type thing?

Just for information I have seen another one advertised...........http://www.satalogue.com/section1/page2.htm

The advert rightly points out that All copies made must be for private use only and (note:it is illegal to duplicate copyright protected material without the express permission of the copyright owner)

dilli-theclaw · 07-07-2004, 08:48

An article from the register about Macrovision (The company)

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/07...vision_vision/

Sorry if it's a bit OT - but it's kind of interesting.

altis · 07-07-2004, 09:51

I believe it is now illegal to sell such devices in the UK (although many places still do).

I'll try and find a relevant link....

Edit
Indeed....
http://www.macrovision.com/company/n...9%20PST%202003
(read down a bit)

Also found this:

UK retailer dumps devices that skirt DVD protection

Digital rights management and copy protection technology company Macrovision announced February 3 that UK retailer Maplin Electronics has declared that it will fully comply with the European Copyright Directive. The new law, implemented in the UK October 31, 2003, brings into force important new measures prohibiting the sale and advertising of circumvention devices designed to illegally circumvent Macrovision copy protection technologies on DVDs and VHS cassettes that protect the copyrights of content owners and their publishers.

Maplin Electronics, a specialist electronics retailer with 781 stores in the UK, has agreed to destroy its entire stock of video enhancers, which could be used as circumvention devices. Maplin Electronics says it is "fully aware of the recent changes to the copyright law and is keen to comply with this change in the legislation."

As a consequence, Maplin has withdrawn the range of three devices that may be used to circumvent copy protection technologies. David O'Reilly, Commercial Director of Maplin Electronics Ltd, stated: 'We acted promptly on this matter because it its important for us to provide our customers with products that do not contravene the law. We have discontinued these items following the change in the legislation, and out of respect for the law.'

'We appreciate Maplin Electronics Ltd's prompt compliance with the broad scope of the new IP legislation," stated Martin Brooker, European Director of Sales for Macrovision. "As part of an ongoing enforcement programme, Macrovision will be working with retailers to ensure compliance with the law."

here:
http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/forums...&Thread=274016

and the actual law concerned with this here:
http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/s...0032498.htm#24

SMHarman · 07-07-2004, 10:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by homealone

fair enough

I have heard that some ATI capture enabled cards are oversensitive to macrovision, a device like this to enable capture of legal vcr pictures, for example ( like a birthday party) could be useful.

But home recorded VCR footage would not have macrovision copy protection anyway.

07-07-2004, 10:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilligaf1701

Oddly my TV card (Hauppage one) on my fileserver computer doesn't seem to be affected at all by macrovision - Not from DVD / Sky OR Video's....

My parent`s first video recorder was perfectly happy being fed a signal with Macrovision, it is the only VCR I've ever seen that did that.