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From: brown@nic_vax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.video
Subject: Re: Copyguard and Beta
Message-ID: <114@nic_vax.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 19-Mar-85 20:45:19 EST
Article-I.D.: nic_vax.114
Posted: Tue Mar 19 20:45:19 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 24-Mar-85 02:27:13 EST
References: <1133@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: Nicolet Instrument Corp. Madison WI
Lines: 41

> > Now, if you have a Beta machine, that is another story.  Sony likes to build
> > sync separator circuits that like only good sync.  Some of their machines will
> > not record unless the sync is perfect.  Copyguard works very good on those
> > units.  A anti-copyguard box is needed.  But, since I do not have a beta unit,
> > I can only go by what I find out from users of Beta machines.  Another good
> > point for VHS.
> 
> I'm sorry, I'll have to disagree.  I have never seen a problem with copyguard
> on my Sony SL-2700 nor any other Beta VCR.  This is not to say that there
> is not a problem, but I've never heard it characterized as being more serious
> with Sony/Beta VCRs.  Actually, most of the problems people have with
> PLAYING copyguarded tapes are related to the TV you're using rather than
> the VCR.  Most recent TVs have very good synch circuits that let you play
> copyguarded tapes with ease; note the lack of a front-panel vertical hold
> control on modern TVs.  Older sets have more problems.

I have a Sony SL-340 portable unit here at work and if it doesn't get perfect
vertical sync, it is all over but the shouting.  Unfortunately that is the
same story for the older 3/4" U-matic recorders made by Sony.  I'll record
a program on it and for no apparent reason (network generated sync), the
tape will have head sync loss.  I've seen some noise go thru the signal
that would cause the 3/4" U-matic to loose sync.  The same program recorded
at the same time on my VHS JVC HR-725D unit lock perfectly.

A fellow worker purchased a cheapy Sanyo unit that he tried to copy a Beta
tape from one machine to another, the tape was copy guarded, and the copy
had no recording.

That is the information that leads me to the copyguard problem on Beta
machines.  True the 3/4" U-matic isn't Beta, but it is made by Sony.  The
new Beta Hi-Fi units by Sony may have newer, relaxed, sync seperator circuits.
Like I said, I personally have not seen the latest tapes released by the
movie houses, on Beta, so I don't know if they stopped the copy guarded
stuff.  Why should they keep using it anyway?  It can be defeated by buying
one of the copy stabilizers.  That may have been a reason that they stopped
using copy guard anyway.

Maybe just the cheapy Beta units have cheap sync seperator circuits.
Anyone else had problems with Beta or VHS copyguard?

Mr. Video