CP-Filters/Widescreen Converters & the "Analog Sunset"
The "Analog Sunset" (aka "Analog Hole")
Here's a good explanation of the often-misunderstood "analog sunset."
It's a licensing agreement between content owners and CE mfgrs that
applies to a narrow equipment category (BD) and NOT other equipment. As stated on pg 2 of the pdf doc:
"... analog sunset is also a narrowly defined, regulatory term whereby the performance and behavior of specific types of A/V equipment, namely Bluray Disc (BD) players and recorders, are restricted in a legally binding manner, and this term is not applicable to other equipment."
The Sunset regulation DOES NOT APPLY TO CABLE/SAT STBs (receivers and DVRs), per specific PROHIBITION in the reg, with one exception as noted below:
"The analog outputs of cable or satellite TV set-top boxes, including receivers or DVRs, are sometimes improperly associated with the analog sunset. In the United States, the FCC has a regulation, 47 CFR 76.1903, that explicitly prohibits the disabling of analog outputs on cable and satellite set-top boxes.... " One exception granted: analog outputs can only be disabled for
"newly created VOD, or video-on-demand services wherein first-run movies are made available before release on disc."
HDMI>Composite/S-Video Converter
For defeating copy protection (CP) from DVD players, DVDRs and STB/DVRs and concurrently preserving widescreen aspect from Motorola STB/DVRs and others. Source must have HDMI output. Should also future-proof you for the "analog sunset" on BD players/recorders (explained in the section above). Unfortunately, lots of counterfeiters out there, so picking a reasonably priced good one can be problematic.
Long ago, I tested an HDMI converter that works well in my system, but today there are MANY of these units of varying quality, including many counterfeits. The one I have is
this one, although now discontinued.
Here's another HDMI converter that might or might not be OK. Newest HDMI converter recommended by several AVS members is
this one,
Component>Composite/S-Video Converter
For defeating CP from DVD players, DVDRs and STB/DVRs, and concurrently preserving widescreen aspect from Motorola STB/DVRs and others. Source must have Component RGB output. Should also future-proof you for the "analog sunset" on BD players/recorders (explained in the section above). Unfortunately, lots of counterfeiters out there, so picking a reasonably priced good one can be problematic.
Here's a Monoprice converter used by many AVS members. Google for others but (make sure unit(s) of interest say "Component to Composite" not vice versa). For copying from cable/sat STB/DVR, check effect of STB resolution setting (try various).
Video Stabilizer for VHS/DVD Players and Other Sources
For defeating CP from all VHS tapes, most DVDs, and other sources delivered over composite Yellow RCA... or *all* DVDs with internal pot adjustment, "RW1" on circuit board inside. Source must have Composite Yellow RCA output. Can't preserve WS aspect from STB/DVR cuz it only has composite input, and it needs Component or HDMI input which are the only STB/DVR outputs that preserve WS aspect.
Several varieties of these units are sold here (direct from mfgr, lowest price, I esp. like the Generation III unit's specs incl. the "God plated RCA connectors"
.
Grex Video Stabilizer (Israeli mfgr, now at Amazon)
Strips CP from composite/S-Video/Component RGB sources. It MAY preserve WS aspect from STBs via its Component RGB output but I have no definitive usage info on that aspect. There are several threads on the Grex on AVS Forum related to CP stripping,
like this one.
DP-X7000 Stabilizer
Strips CP from composite/S-Video/Component RGB sources. It MAY preserve WS aspect from STBs via its Component RGB output but I have no definitive usage info on that aspect. Tested & approved for CP stripping by others,
see post #37 and #42 here.
* * * * * * *
Another list just for STB/DVR users is here (repeats first two above, adds others).
With all these units, don't give up on 1st try!
Can the Mag's 6-hour buffer strip CP? NO! Buffer Can't Save CP'd Stuff to HDD without Stabilizer. While you can view buffered CP'd stuff from an external source, you can't Save it to HDD w/o a filter/stabilizer in between. I tested this on a CP'd DVD from a player to a Mag 2160.
