Question about VHS macrovision ignoring

[Legendarybarr]

Hi, I am looking to buy a new capture device. I was thinking about getting a ATI AIW, possibly this one: ATI All-In-Wonder 9600XT Video Card, but I wanted to know if they ignore macrovision because I have tapes of shows that I would like to perserve on digital media before the tapes go bad. Also I would like to record TV shows onto my computer while not at home, and while sleeping with the TV Tuner If it does not ignore macrovision are there any capture devices that do?
Anyone's input would be helpful, thanks.

[reboot]

Start reading here: http://www.digitalfaq.com/capture/atiavi/atiavi.htm

[fccHandler]

I have an ATI All-In-Wonder AGP 9600 (but not XT). Capturing from broadcast TV works great, but capturing from VHS is awful. I estimate it's unable to properly capture about 90% of my video tapes for some unknown reason. Seems like either it's identifying Macrovision falsely, or failing to lock on the weak vertical sync. I tried some driver patches, hacks, other VCRs, and even an external Macrovision remover box but nothing helped.

I ended up buying a separate $30 ATI TV Wonder VE card (BT878A) for capturing VHS. This works great, plus I verified that it totally ignores Macrovision. ;)

(I think really the All-In-Wonder is overkill, if all you want is simple video capture.)

[Legendarybarr]

Thank you, that website rules for information.

[trekkeriii]

I figured since this was about a ATI product and capturing macrovisioned VHS I would ask if there is anyway to defeat the newest tactic from ATI to prevent circumvention. I used the ativmvxx.ax file and replaced it in Windows\System32 folder, however Windows somehow will revert back to the original file, I tried changing permissions, etc. it wouldn't stick. Any advice? Possibly something in the registry (I know viruses have used this tactic)? I am using HDTV wonder. Multimedia Center 9.04, which is what came with the card. Any help would be appreciated.
-trekkeriii

P.S. I may end up buying one of those Sima GoDVD Video Duplicators or Sima CopyThis! Video Enhancers from Best Buy. :devil:

[mic]

IMO, buy it or similar device, though for the L of it have you tried using regular co-ax cable? Not as good as s-vid, may not work anyway, but I've no experience with the ati card you have, & this worked once or twice years ago.

As for the file not staying put, search your windows folder and you'll find a reserved version -- replace that one too.

[trekkeriii]

As for the file not staying put, search your windows folder and you'll find a reserved version -- replace that one too.

Geez, I should have thought of that, I will try this. Let you know.

As for the coax idea, I tried using both composite RCA cables and regular Coaxial Cable, and both retained the macrovision. My VCR does not have S-Video out. I doubt an S-Video->RCA Video will help either.

Unfortunately, it keeps reverting all instances of this file. Obviously there it is somewhere named something else, or Windows has it well hidden. Seems to me it's a Windows XP SP2 feature since it came with the Service Pack according to the information I gather.

[mic]

...it came with the Service Pack according to the information I gather.
I just show it in DLLCACHE & system32 doing a file search, but you're right, it is also stored in the Windows\Driver Cache\i386\SP2.cab.

It can be changed there too, but it takes a bit of work if I remember correctly (I'm going from memory back when XP was in Beta). Microsoft has a command line tool, cabarc.exe, that is used to make a new cab file. Download it from their site, where they also have the docs on how to use it. Whether it's worth it or not is up to you.:)