I have quite a large library of pre-recorded video tapes and want to transfer them to DVD. However, my clever (AARGH!) DVD recorder tells me it detects 'copy protected' media and won't record them.
Does anyone know how I can transfer my library to DVD so I don't have to buy them all again - my collection goes back a long way and I suspect some of them haven't even been released as DVD's.
And on some, apparently, there is a hole in the back which simply needs to be covered with selotape. How true that is, I don't know, but another ABer is quite adamant it works.
I'm afraid if you really want your VHS collection on DVD you will have to buy them again. You cannot simply copy pre recorded VHS onto DVD because of Macrovision which is recorded onto the tape along with the video signal.
See here for details http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrovision
All DVD recorders are the same I'm afraid. You may be able to bypass this by copying via a sync stripper or timebase corrector which removes the Macrovision signal but these aren't cheap. An example is here
Ethel - the hole in the back of VHS tapes only prevents you from accidentally recording on your video cassette. As you say you can circumvent this by putting sticky tape over the hole.
I have successfully copied many older pre-recorded videos to dvd - they never had the copy protection technology, just the usual warning at the begining.
I understand that some Samsung and LiteOn DVD Recorder/Video combos can do this for - the trick is to start playing the video for a few seconds before pressing record on the DVD recorder. Your mileage may vary; if this works for you, please respect the copyright holder.
I had some macrovision films and I got round it by sending it to a transfer company. I used these guys http://www.vt.tv but the second time I found these guys who were cheaper and actually did a better quality job http://www.video-to-dvd.co.uk good luck mate.