I'm looking for some advice on what to do with a DVD that is connected to a TV/VCR combo.

Apparently, the DVD knows that the TV has a recording device built in (the VCR) and it responds by slowly raising and lowering the brightness on the screen. Quite annoying.

Contacting the manufacturer of the DVD provides the info that this is deliberate and is designed to prevent illegal copies.

So, does anyone know a way to bypass the circuitry in the TV/VCR combo to eliminate this situation? The only alternative is to toss out a perfectly good TV/VCR combo. In fact, my mother has two of them!

TIA

I have been thinking for a few minutes here I have not come up with a good answer on what to do. But, before scrapping the TV/VCR Combo's I would try opening one up and cutting out the vcr. The thing is they are probably one unit and it would be hard gettting the VCR part out.

I dont know, maybe?

I don't believe I need to "cut it out".

But, I would presume that there should be a way of isolating it from the TV, so the DVD does not realize that it is there.

Does the TV have more than one video input?

If not, it might be possible to buy a filter. Don't know where....

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

You really don't have any other choice except to get a stand alone tv because of the internal circuitry of the vcr and tv.

__________________
Flash Gordon

2003 E500 BlackOpal/Charcoal

2004 Infiniti G35X

Ya need one of these:
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F010%5F001%5F000&product%5Fid=15%2D1242

The light/dark thing is the incomapatbility of DVD players with older TV's. I had that, until I plugged one of these thingees in, and prest-o! No more light/dark crap

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

Or one of these:
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=15-1215

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

eBay! Somebody will buy it!
Then go out and buy a monster widescreen HDTV to plug that DVR into. Of course, you'll need that Sunfire sound system to go with it.

__________________
Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport

Gads! I wish
Someday. When I'm rich-n-famous

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

That one seems to be used for "older" analog units. I've got a new DVD that I need to work with an older TV (with VCR).

I don't see how this will help me.
_



This definitely seems like the ticket. If the DVD output can go directly into the coax antenna input, it's got to work, correct???

That was my prob exactly, an older TV, with a new DVD player. The cheap-o unit works great for me. But talk to the guy/gal at Radio Shack, if you can find one that knows anything besides cell phones(seems that's all they want to sell there anymore)

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

With that cheap-o unit:

Does it have an output that can plug into the coaxial input on the TV?

If it goes into the component video inputs or the S-video inputs, wouldn't the DVD still give problems? Or does the mere presence of the box in the circuit make the problem go away?

I'd prefer a proctological exam over asking a question in Radio Shack. "You've got questions. We don't know $hit."

I might just buy it and give it a whirl. If it doesn't work, I'll just return it and buy the RF modulator.


Thanks for your help.

I agree with ya on asking questions at a RS store. they hire McDonalds rejects, I think. I got lucky though, told the guy what my prob was, and he sold me one of those. The one I have looks a little different from the cheap-o unit you see. Mine was bought a couple years ago, and the case looks different now. I ASSUME it's the same thing though. But yes, it has coax output for the TV. It has some kind of filter inside that helps the signal become compatible. You plug the cable to a coax input, DVD to the 3-wire input(video, L & R audio), plug the unit into the wall, and forget it. When you turn on the DVD player, it internally switches itself to send the DVD signal to the TV. Pretty slick. You can also just send the video thru it, if you send your audio to a seperate surround sound system.

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

No kidding! I had the same problem and just wrote it off as being a defective unit. Well, I guess I better dig that thing out of the attic! Learn something new every day....

__________________
1983 Mercedes 300SD
1987 Mercedes 300SDL
2001 VW Passat 2.8 AWD
2007 OM642 Jeep WK 4x4

Rick, I picked up one of the RF modulators and it worked like a charm.

It allows the DVD to provide the component video in and it allows the cable to provide coaxial in.

Then you simply run a length of coax right to the TV input.

It serves to bypass the "Macrovision" system that senses that another recording device is present and causes the TV to get darker and lighter over the course of a couple of minutes.

Thanks for the advice.