You've read about the different ways of watching DVDs. You've got TV-out working. But now you have a problem I had. You can't connect directly to the TV and macrovision has made your life miserable.
The solution:
The "black box".
According to paragraph 53 of the the German copyright and media law, a private person can make a copy of any medium to any other medium she/he owns so long as it is for private use and NOT for resale. This even applies to videos and DVDs you rent. Don't believe me? Check out the law. (in German)
Of course you know about the terms of use of this site. :-)
The black box, often called a macro decoder, or video stablisator, was originally designed to allow copying of video tapes. the plus side is it can be used to watch DVDs, and if necessary, copy them.
There are several on the market and I don't want to go into it here but I have heard the cheap ones work as well as the more expensive kind (mine cost 200 DM, about 100 US$). I bought the more expensive kind because it decodes all known copy protection. Not just the copy protection currently in use, but all kinds. Having spent over 650 DM on video card and cables, I wasn't going to sepnd 100 DM now and not be able to watch DVDs with it after 1 year! The choice is yours though.
The set up is exactly the same as when watching DVDs without a decoder card with the exception that instead of plugging the SCART connector of the composite cable into the VCR you plug it into the box. You then need a two-way (very important) SCART cable from the box to the VCR.
Trust me folks I wouldn't have dreamt of using this box if it hadn't been for macrovision. Seriously! The quality of the tape is of course good, but not as good as the DVD. The sound suffers a lot too. It's good to have a backup for when Micro$oft has botched up your computer and just want to see that film!
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