Old school for the win. I bought one of those RXII video stabilizers shortly after buying my first DVD player. The DVD player only had composite outputs, and my TV only had a co-ax input, so my VCR became a bridge between them as it had both composite inputs and a co-ax output. Of course being plugged into a VCR triggered the DVD copy protection, even if all I wanted was to watch a movie I'd legitimately bought. A trip to the local electronics store and I came home with that little black box and another RCA cable to plug it in. It did it's thing and I was a happy camper. :)

I miss doing this. I remember when I was 15 I got a video copy box (copy master) and I would regularly go to the store and dub fresh new films that had macrovision. Prior to that, I used to used two older vcrs which with some protected tapes it would work, I believe that was level 1 macrovision. But it was so fun. Glad to see a modern video on this for memory sake. Cheers

@rooskiwolf1653

3 ай бұрын

I would rent the movie from Blockbuster, copy the movie with macrovision active and messing up the screen. Then I would just switch the internal tapes...

@mjlwm23

2 ай бұрын

what is copy ? I convert vhs to digital with canopus caputure card successfully

The way I dub is to cue up the videotape through the device and DVD recorder. Then after inserting a blank DVD I select the speed and input source. I then turn off the VCR and press record on the DVD recorder and pause it at 5 seconds. Then I turn on the VCR and press play and unpause the DVD recorder. Works every time.

Muy buen video, excelente equipo vintage, hoy se utilza para copiar videos de vHS y Betas a USB. felicidades !

@ThriftyAV

4 жыл бұрын

¡Gracias!

Do you have any idea how the DVD player still wont copy that video? Even when the black&white blocks of MV are removed?

Can this be done with an Advanced scart video control!??

Very interesting results. So I have a Framemeister scaler which for it's day was an amazing piece of tech, but one major flaw is that it required constant Sync. If a VHS starts to track too much, or the sync gets unstable even Slightly, it blanks out and has to re-sync. Do you think of any this kinda stuff would help with that?

Any idea how long the RXII will work before you need to change the battery?

I just bought an RX2 from eBay. I can’t wait to try it. I wonder though, how many movies can you watch on 1 battery? And does an rca to hdmi converter work with it? To convert the RX2s input to hdmi, that is. Or Vice versa for dvd to dvd copying. I’m going to find out what it can do myself, but I’m still curious.

Great reviews sir. What Samsung model DVD Recorder did you use for your testing? Thanks!

Is audio preserved? Could you do a video on TBC application to this issue? Are there any VHS decks that provide a clean output without need for a separate box?

@ThriftyAV

3 жыл бұрын

With all these devices, audio is patched separately. I tried out a Panasonic video switcher with built-in TBC on a different video linked on this comment. One issue with using a TBC is that it replaces the vertical blanking interval. This removes any closed caption information from the video signal. kzread.info/dash/bejne/hYSfuJaHqprVlZM.html

Nice videos. Maybe you have a video of this I haven't seen. I think Qualitek Industries is the mfg of the RXii. Well, they have several models at the same price. Other than power supply differences do you think there would really be a difference between the RXii and the other model (VS-1V) that says it works for VHS and DVD's? Why offer one for VHS to VHS (VC-1X) transfer if the RXii can do it as well? Thanks

@ThriftyAV

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I did not know the manufacturer of the RXii. I'll update my description to include "Qualitek". I ordered mine from the All Electronics catalog on clearance about 25 years ago. I'm surprised they are still made. I have not tried the VC-1X. Without examining the internal components, I cannot tell you the difference between these units other than the external DC input (instead of a 9V battery) and the gold plated RCA cables.

@tomasw6985

4 жыл бұрын

@@ThriftyAV Im not 100% certain they mfg the RXii but it looks like it. All Electronics? I haven't seen their catalogs in probably 20 years when I was an audio tech. I might still have one of their catalogs. Thanks for the fast reply!

@ThriftyAV

4 жыл бұрын

@@tomasw6985 The mail-out catalogs have disappeared, but All Electronics is still around, and they still have great deals on cables, adapters, and various electronic parts... Or at least they did before the pandemic hit. Whether Qualitek manufactores the RXII, or just sells it, I plan on reaching out to them with regard to some of the other items in their catalog, and see if I can feature them on ThriftyAV. Thank you for the views and the comments, Tomas W!

I have a Sima Copymaster and it definitely removes Macrovision. I haven't done such things in a long time. I also have an Apex AD-600 DVD player with Macrovision turned off. Even without "illegal copying", turning off the Macrovision gives a clearer picture anyway because being anticopy technology, it is by nature going to produce a lesser quality picture.

@ThriftyAV

4 жыл бұрын

I found it!... I've been looking for a certain web page since I read your comment. Some of the issues with Macrovision degrading signals are discussed in this Chicago Tribune article from 1986. www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-12-12-8604030098-story.html

What about the reverse? I mean, copying a DVD to a VHS? Would the same thing happen?

@ThriftyAV

5 жыл бұрын

Sounds like a worthy topic for a future video!

Does anyone know why my Pioneer dvd detects that dvd is protected Whe I use the” Video Copymaster” aka “ Video Copy Box” ? I can copy a dvd to Vhs using it but even if I try to copy from 2hd generation “clean” vhs to DVD it still detects copy protection. I am puzzled by this. Also does anybody have the schematic for the circuit which uses the LM1881 sync sep and an adder at 64 microsecs for pal. I built it but couldn’t get it working properly when copying VHS to vhs. Also one last question; I have an old Betamax vcr (which I’m not sure if it works properly or not) and I have read that macrovision does not affect copying onto it. Is this correct.

@ThriftyAV

4 жыл бұрын

I've had mixed success with the Video Copymaster. I've had much better results with DVD recorders when using an RXII unit. As far as "why", my best guess is that the Video Copymaster does not completely remove the pulse signals. I have not built any of these boxes myself, but maybe one of my viewers has the schematic you seek for PAL. Any VCR with auto gain control will be affected by Macrovision, but most Betamax VCRs you find are older and lack this feature. Old VHS recorders that lack AGC are also not affected.

hey thrifty i been trying to record VHS TO DVD, the problem is not hooking that up, the promblem i get is i want to note here., my vhs player and dvd recorder our not a combo, the tapes are not commercial vhs tapes, when i got everthing hookup,vhs and dvd recorder, the vhs tape starts to flicker, now when i just hook up vhs player to tv only , screen is fine, i tried the XDIMAX GREX-7.4 Grex Video Stabilizer, i still get that flicker, i just ordered the stabalizer ya mention in video with a 9 volt battery, wonder if this would fix my promblem,

@ThriftyAV

3 жыл бұрын

The "stabilizers" I test out are for removing macrovision encoding from commercial tapes. I doubt any of them will help with your issue. There can be several causes for flicker when dubbing old home recorded VHS footage, such as magnetic signal loss due to tape age, tape stretch, too much video gain on the original signal, and more. TVs often compensate for these issues better than capture devices that expect a pristine NTSC (or PAL) signal. Sometimes a TBC will help by completely replacing the sync signal with a new one, but this is a more expensive device than any of these filters. I would suggest reading, then maybe posting, on the VideoHelp forum, specifically the "capturing" section. forum.videohelp.com/forums/10-Capturing

Great video. I listened to your advice and bought a RXII, I hook it up with my funai dvd recording. As a result, i got an error message saying it's copy protected. I wonder how you remove the macrovision? Would you please tell me what i need more to remove it. I currently use the sima scc-2 color corrector to enable recording but it drops frames and soften images...could you help? Thank you.

@ThriftyAV

5 жыл бұрын

The RXII has an internal 9V battery, so make sure that it has a fresh one installed. Also, the RXII is for NTSC signals, I'm not sure if it will work with PAL or SECAM. My understanding is that PAL was the broadcast standard in Vietnam.

@vietnamintlvideo422

5 жыл бұрын

ThriftyAV Thank you for your prompt response. I don't know much about What system they used in VN back then since i've always been in the US. I bought two RXII, brand new batteries. When i hooked these RX to the vcrs and dvd recorders, i know the devices were turned on. For some reason, they were unable to remove macrovision on my vhs, and therefore, i'm unable to copy my vhs into dvds. I can mail you the rxii so you can take a look at them. Perheps, you'll be able to spot the reason.

@ThriftyAV

5 жыл бұрын

​@@vietnamintlvideo422 If your mail these RXII units to me, I can confirm if these devices are removing Macrovision or not, and I would document this test via a KZread video. However, If your units are faulty, I do not have the equipment or experience to repair this gear. Also, I do not own a Funai DVD recorder. Is the Funai a VCR/DVD combo? If so, are you trying to use a single device for these dubs? My playback VCRs are JVC and Zenith. My DVD recorders are Philips, Panasonic, Polaroid, and Samsung. The RXII is just one of many filters designed to remove copy protection such as Macrovision. In a different comment, you mentioned a Sima unit. The latest and greatest is called an Xdimax Grex. I have not reviewed this unit, as I have not found one at a "thrifty" price, but this might be worth an investment if you have a large number of old tapes to transfer. If you would like to ship the RXII units to me for review, my Email address can be accessed on the "about" section of my KZread page next to the phrase "for business inquiries". I can Email you the ThriftyAV shipping address and return shipping policy.

@vietnamintlvideo422

5 жыл бұрын

ThriftyAV sorry for my late response. Yes, My funai dvd recorder is a combo unit (not every funai combo unit is the same, the units produced after September 2014 gives brighter recorded pictures. I used Sima Scc-2 which successfully removes macrovision from my old tapes while sima scc-1 doesn't. The problem with sima scc-2 is that this device softens the image, and the color it generates is okay, good. But for some really old tapes, the original color is still much preferred. I saw some negative reviews on grex. People say grex has a lot of issues...My vcrs are jvc hr-9600u. I found this vcr yields impressive quality compared to sony, panasonic, toshiba and many others that I have at home. You mention grex is worth trying. I'll wait for your review on that unit to see if it works. I can mail you one of my tapes that has copy protection, to see if your RXII can remove it or it's just my device being faulty.

@ThriftyAV

5 жыл бұрын

Contact me via Email, available on the "about" section of my KZread page, so we can work out the details.

Great video - thanks for posting it. Do you think the RXII would work with PAL tapes? (as opposed to NTSC tapes)

@ThriftyAV

5 жыл бұрын

Good question... that I found unanswered on several forums. I found an advertisement for one HERE: www.qualitekindustries.com/bvistrwi6feg.html Maybe these folks could answer this question. I know that more modern stabilizers such as the XMIDAX GREX boast PAL compatibility, but I cannot answer your question with regard to the RXII without acquiring a PAL VCR and monitor.

@keithjones1496

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your prompt reply, I'll get in touch with Qualitek

@amritpalhh9836

4 жыл бұрын

Keith Jones did it work?

@amritpalhh9836

4 жыл бұрын

ThriftyAV I’m using a toshiba vcr-dvd dubbing machine will this work on that?

@NunYa953

4 жыл бұрын

@@amritpalhh9836 What model Toshiba?

But how does the RX-2 cope with other VBlank data, like LaserDisc tracking data, or Widescreen Signaling?

@jimkarlock9371

Жыл бұрын

VSA-50/RXII both preserve the closed captions and VITS. Never herd of LV tracking data in the output data.

That rx2 would be interesting as a circuit bending victim lol

Hi ThriftyAV. I received my No Name *Digital Video Stabilizer, popped in my 9Volt Battery so I can make my own copy of Back to the Future from VHS to DVD. I'm not having any luck dubbing. Say's ...Copyright. *VHS to DVD-R. I tried hooking up a VCR Player to my VCR/DVD-R and it still says ...Copyright. I'm very, very confused! Could you please go over the wiring with me? Do I need to use 2 sets of Composite Red,White & Yellow Cables, 3 sets or just one? Do I leave some Cables just dangling? I'm really not sure what to do. I'm pretty sure it is the Video-Yellow cables that hook up to the DVS, but my Laptop Display looks like "you used" White instead? LOL And I'm not even color blind! What's worse is that my DVS in and out puts are colored Red! I can't catch a break! Set-up on my DVS box says; Player Audio Out to Recorder Audio In. Those are the Red and White Cables I know. Am I supposed to use the attached Yellow Cable to hook up to the DVS In, or do I let that Yellow dangle, and use a Stand Alone Video Yellow Cable? Player Video Out to DVS In. DVS Out to Recorder Video In. Same idea... How many cables to I need, and should some ends just dangle? Any direction you could give me would be greatly appreciated. I looked through your other videos and that $80 Unit is really scary! Thank you so very much! Dangling on a Friday Night

@ThriftyAV

5 жыл бұрын

The red, white, and yellow coding on RCA cables is for cable management, but all can be used interchangeably, and I don't always use the appropriate colors. Sorry if my video was confusing in that regard. Yes you should hook up an outboard VCR to your record deck, and not try to use the one built in for dubbing backups of Macrovision encoded titles, as there is no way to hook up a filter when trying to dub within the same device. The Digital Video Stabilizer should have both an "in" and an "out". You need to go from the "video out" on your playback deck to the "in" on your DVS. Go from the "out" on your DVS to the "in" on your recording device. Audio can be patched directly. If you want all your RCA connections color coded correctly, you will need two yellow RCA patches, one for each side of the DVS, for audio you will need one white (left audio) and one red (right audio) going directly from your playback device to your record device. You did not mention what brand of DVD recorder you are using. I have had success with Philips, Panasonic, Samsung, and Polariod. None of these devices gave me a "copyright" error when dubbing. I have not tried any other brands. Also all of my VHS sources are NTSC, the North American Standard. I have not tried the Digital Video Stabilizer with PAL or SECAM encoded video.

Do you know what the difference is if any in the RXll that came in yellow box and the one that came in blister pack? Thanks

@ThriftyAV

2 жыл бұрын

I purchased my RXII in 1995, and I do not remember the packaging at that time. Sorry, but I cannot answer your question.

@scottriffe222

2 жыл бұрын

@@ThriftyAV Ok no problem .Thanks anyway.

I have several hacked Liteon DVD recorders (check a video on my channel). They seem to allow everything on shop bought VHS through... DVD player to DVD recorder I have not tried but I would imagine it would be much worse in the 2nd generation copy of the orginal as it is digital-->analog-->analog-->digital

Another few devices you could try are the Electrohome video stabilizer and the Sema GoDvd both those are very similar to the rx 2 and the other one is the Grex .

@ThriftyAV

2 жыл бұрын

I ordered a GoDVD on Ebay but it was DOA. I have it as a "saved search" so if I find another at the right price, I will pick it up. I contacted the folks at XDimax twice over the past 3 years about getting a "loaner" Grex to test, then send back to them. They are not interested in having me review it. The unit is too expensive for me to purchase just for a video review. I am unfamiliar with the Electrohome, but I will look into it. Thank you for letting me know about it.

Will the RXII only work on a Samsung DVD recorder regarding the copyrighted vhs tapes? I have a Panasonic combo

@ThriftyAV

3 жыл бұрын

I've used the RXII on a Panasonic stand-alone and it worked.

@The63blonde

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks I'm beginning to wonder if it would be easier and cheaper to somehow transfer to my computer and then make the dvd

@ThriftyAV

3 жыл бұрын

@@The63blonde I've tried a low cost EZCap device, but I had audio issues with it. Overall, I prefer the results I get with my stand-alone DVD recorders.

@The63blonde

3 жыл бұрын

@@ThriftyAV well that would require me to have him get two separate machines instead of using the Panasonic combo right?

I ordered an rx2 from ebay and received today. I tried to copy a dvd to dvd and it did not worked. It only works vhs to dvd. I tried to copy dvd on a Sony dvdirect mc5 and mc6. But at least it works for vhs

Hey ThriftyAV, I just bought 2 of those you recommended and yes they needed import costs to Europe. But we'll see how well they do. I have an another one I use and its a hard to find "converter" which is a good machine to use. No batteries or cables involved, only SCART (which we use here in europe, which is actually more superior than RCA cable).

@ThriftyAV

5 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure if any of these are compatible with PAL or SECAM, as I do not have the gear to test these standards. I am curious to find out how these work for you, ninjafireball.

I kept hearing Vidicraft as vidicrap xD

Where can I get an rx2 video stabilizer? I want one

@ThriftyAV

3 жыл бұрын

They occasionally show up on Ebay. There is a company called Qualitek that sells them, but I have never ordered from them.

@Misterio_11

3 жыл бұрын

Ok thanks

I bought a RXII stabilizer off eBay and it works, however there's many things to avoid. If you own a cheap $20 Walmart LG or Sony DVD player, it will not let you copy. It also doesn't work for copying Blu-Ray discs, as there's stripes all over the picture. Although, you can use an early 2000's era DVD player with a really good VCR. I own a DVD recorder, but since it's the only ''old'' DVD player I have, it's used for playing the disc and copying to VHS in SP mode. Then I copy the tape to that DVD recorder, so it will be successfully copied to a blank DVD. It may sound confusing, but it really isn't that hard to understand or figure out. I am looking into finding an old DVD player at a thrift store or from a friend, so I don't have to use a VCR.

@ThriftyAV

4 жыл бұрын

The thrift stores in my area have lots of DVD players, and many are older... However, very few of them have remotes! Usually a universal remote can be programmed for an older DVD player. Enjoy your video hobby, and keep experimenting with various players and recorders! I sure do.

@mylovesongs2429

Жыл бұрын

@@ThriftyAV it is strange that a lot of the high end JVC S-VHS units on ebay have no remote. What happens to remotes? I guess it is like everyone out there that has ever had a TV and/or VCR/DVD player. The i cannot find the remote game is always played. I play it, too!

Do you know where someone can get a rx 2?

@jwallspring5

2 жыл бұрын

I have one I can sell you if you're still Interested

@scottriffe222

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks but I already picked one up.

Where can you find the breakout cable get back with me thank you

@ThriftyAV

3 жыл бұрын

I purchased them through the All Electronics catalog years ago. You can also find it on Amazon. Search S-Video 4 Pin Mini DIN Y Splitter Cable

@glsoterios

3 жыл бұрын

@@ThriftyAV ok thank

@KylesDigitalLab

3 жыл бұрын

You could take a regular RCA audio cable (white and red) and an S-Video cable, cut them, expose the bare wires, and solder them together. Make sure to connect the grounds and you'll be good to go.

jais bell fibe him aussie he binds the macrovision copy protection jais de essais and this works as well i will receive the copyguard with power on off 9 volt adateur or 9 volt aussie battrie

I received the rx2 “circuit board” from eBay today. It has a switch beside the rca input and output. I’m not even sure if it is what I thought, An RX2. I’m sure feeling I got cheated out of about $40! If you’re looking for one on eBay, don’t buy the one that’s just a circuit board!