Posted by Dave D on 01/19/59 11:28

"john graesser" <graesser@tca.net> wrote in message
news:11k2uqecgq5lo03@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "FatKat" <robynari@juno.com> wrote in message
> news:1128362015.437385.263470@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
>> Since a lot of recording is still done with old fashioned VCR's, why
>> doesn't this copy-protection apply to them as well? I mean, if they
>> can block DVD recorders which record using anallog tuners, why
>> shouldn't the same be true of VCR's?
>
> Perhaps for the same reason that Betamax format vcr's were immune to
> macrovision. They were designed and built before the protection was added.
>

Both Betamax and VHS were invented only about a year apart, and both before
Macrovision. Betamax took off in Europe (except the UK where VHS rules) and
they were still manufactured until 2002.

Macrovision protection has never been built into VCRs in a sense of an
electronic countermeasure or circuit. However, VCRs have AGC circuits
(which comply to Macrovision's spec) which keep the video source level
within limits for recording and the Macrovision design exploits these by
causing the AGC to 'malfunction'.
The same thing can be said about current DVD recorders. Years ago, some Rear
Projection TV owners found their TVs were affected by Macrovision and they
had to use video conditioners to remove it.

AFAIK there are no analogue copy protection methods in use by broadcasters
to thwart DVD recorders, and the only known option available to broadcasters
is currently Macrovision, which, strangely enough, they aren't currently
interested in using for some reason.

Anyway, this is digressing from the point. The OP asserted that broadcasters
can use a flag (ie a digital bit or whatever) to block DVD recorders. They
can't. Macrovision is another subject altogether.

Dave

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