Problem capturing Moroccan VHS tape?

lesparapluies · #1 02-19-2016, 04:31 PM

Hello, I'd be grateful for any advice on the following: I've been given a VHS tape to put onto a DVD. It's of a christening from about 12 years ago, it's not a professional tape and I'm told it was just done by a friend of the family. It's from Morocco. It plays perfectly OK on a UK VCR and TV, good picture quality, etc. So far so good. I'm using a Canopus ADVC-55 into a Mac from the SCART of the VCR, never had a problem in the past - but it refuses to get any video (or audio) from this tape into the computer. Tried using a stand-alone DVD recorder - comes up with "content is copy-protected" (which I don't think it is) Tried using the RF out of the VCR into the TV and then taking the signal from the SCART of the TV - no luck. Tried 3 different VCRs, no luck. Tried a stand-alone hard-disk recorder instead of the computer- it records the signal but the picture is split in half, with a black horizontal line across the screen, the top half of the picture below the line and the bottom half above - like a frame slip on a film projector - (but a perfect picture otherwise!) I've heard that some tapes can fool the software into thinking Macrovision is present when it's not. I thought maybe it was a PAL / SECAM problem (tape is from pre-digital era) but the colour is fine. There seems to be no logic in any of this, but maybe someone can shed some light on it. Thank you.

Goldwingfahrer · #2 02-20-2016, 05:29 AM

Try another recorder.
The ADVC55 I have not only the 110 + 300 + 1000
When 110 you have a button for more press if "MV" is displayed [red LED]

Have already seen the message ... is MV ..though were the private recordings.

If you live in Europe, send me the tape to
www.ww-consulting.ch

lesparapluies · #3 02-21-2016, 07:11 AM

Thank you for your reply. I will maybe try to get a different ADVC interface - but I get the same problem with a Pioneer DVD recorder, also an LG hard-disk recorder. Picture fine when played from the VCR to the TV, but strange problems trying to record. Thank you for your offer but I don't want to risk posting the tape from the UK to Switzerland. I am going to try to attach a small recording to show the problem

Goldwingfahrer · #4 02-21-2016, 08:14 AM

Here is nothing "published"

Direct to DVD ........... in fast scenes = color streaks

Try before DVD Recorder a TBC1000 or a TBC-E
to join.

The protected with the "wrong message" MV I know here, too.

If it is a private recording then since no Macrovision strikes.

msgohan · #5 02-25-2016, 02:02 PM

Morocco = SECAM B, not PAL. Good luck.

lordsmurf · #6 03-01-2016, 10:10 PM

Assuming it is SECAM, the UK VCR is likely outputting a quasi signal for playback only. But only a TV understand it, not a capture device. You need true SECAM playback for SECAM capture. Some devices allow quasi capturing, but not many.

SCART has a lot of problems with capturing. Either s-video or composite is preferred.