Problem watching DVD on TV using TiBook

Kemul · 08-19-2002, 02:35 PM

Watching any DVDs on my TiBook screen is OK. However, I have problem watching some DVDs through TV. When I insert the DVD and the DVDPlayer starts (this is using OS X, haven't tried with OS 9 yet), the display on the TV will darken for a while then brighten to normal brightness for a few seconds before darken again. When it's darkening, it's very uncomfortable to watch since it is dark, and very distracting.

When it's darkened, and I get out of full screen mode, the TV will lose signal, like being disconnected from the TiBook. But then the display comes back up during the time the screen brightens. Then the cycle repeats.

Anybody experienced this problem before or anybody know how to solve this problem? Could this be caused by me using non-apple S-Video to RCA adapter? I'm using OS 10.1.5 and all the latest updates (regarding DVD).

Thanks!

Kemul · 08-19-2002, 09:12 PM

After putting "dvd darken" in Google, I found out that it's a security feature by the DVD/movie company to disable reproduction of DVDs using VCRs (or something towards that goal).

For complete info (for those of you who'd like to know), please search for yourself...

phidauex · 08-20-2002, 09:12 AM

Did you find a software solution? Or a hardware solution? I'm curious about what is working for people in the tibook world. On my PC, i use software to disable the macrovision, but I don't know if such software exists for tibooks. The other option is little hardware things, but i don't know how well they work, and they would be inconvenient to use, but that might be the only option.

give us more info! We can search google all we want, but I'd like to know what worked for you.

peace,
phidauex

Kemul · 08-20-2002, 10:06 AM

Well, actually I didn't try to find any solution since I watch most DVDs on the tibook screen. However, there are VCRs that don't have the Automatic Gain Control (I think that's what it is) feature. That's one solution. The other solution is hardware. I read somewhere that there is a device that can strip the signal that causes AGC to react. The professional grade HW is a bit pricey. As for the software solution, I think downgrading DVD Player for OS X will work because I didn't experience this kind of problem before doing some updates. I don't know, maybe there is a software out there that will solve this problem for OS X.

brgale · 10-16-2002, 11:24 PM

That's macrovision protection because your going through vcr to the tv. The easiest way to bypass it is to simply plug directly into the TV. You're not doing anything illegal, so there's no reason for you to have to contend with macrovision (unless you're trying to record the dvds to the vcr). So, plug the computer directly into the TV, many new televisions have multiple inputs, you can use use RCA or S-video.

If you can't go directly into the tv, you can get a simple RF converter from radio shack for about 20 bucks. It'll take the RCA signal and convert it to a coaxial, which is the plug you may use to plug the vcr to the TV.

Hope this works.

-Brian

08-19-2002, 02:35 PM	#1
Kemul Prospect Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 20	Problem watching DVD on TV using TiBook Watching any DVDs on my TiBook screen is OK. However, I have problem watching some DVDs through TV. When I insert the DVD and the DVDPlayer starts (this is using OS X, haven't tried with OS 9 yet), the display on the TV will darken for a while then brighten to normal brightness for a few seconds before darken again. When it's darkening, it's very uncomfortable to watch since it is dark, and very distracting. When it's darkened, and I get out of full screen mode, the TV will lose signal, like being disconnected from the TiBook. But then the display comes back up during the time the screen brightens. Then the cycle repeats. Anybody experienced this problem before or anybody know how to solve this problem? Could this be caused by me using non-apple S-Video to RCA adapter? I'm using OS 10.1.5 and all the latest updates (regarding DVD). Thanks! __________________ PB G4 667 MHz \| 512 MB RAM \| 40 GB HD \| OS X 10.2.8

08-19-2002, 09:12 PM	#2
Kemul Prospect Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 20	Got it! After putting "dvd darken" in Google, I found out that it's a security feature by the DVD/movie company to disable reproduction of DVDs using VCRs (or something towards that goal). For complete info (for those of you who'd like to know), please search for yourself... __________________ PB G4 667 MHz \| 512 MB RAM \| 40 GB HD \| OS X 10.2.8

08-20-2002, 10:06 AM	#4
Kemul Prospect Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 20	Well, actually I didn't try to find any solution since I watch most DVDs on the tibook screen. However, there are VCRs that don't have the Automatic Gain Control (I think that's what it is) feature. That's one solution. The other solution is hardware. I read somewhere that there is a device that can strip the signal that causes AGC to react. The professional grade HW is a bit pricey. As for the software solution, I think downgrading DVD Player for OS X will work because I didn't experience this kind of problem before doing some updates. I don't know, maybe there is a software out there that will solve this problem for OS X. __________________ PB G4 667 MHz \| 512 MB RAM \| 40 GB HD \| OS X 10.2.8

10-16-2002, 11:24 PM	#5
brgale Prospect Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 1	most simple solution That's macrovision protection because your going through vcr to the tv. The easiest way to bypass it is to simply plug directly into the TV. You're not doing anything illegal, so there's no reason for you to have to contend with macrovision (unless you're trying to record the dvds to the vcr). So, plug the computer directly into the TV, many new televisions have multiple inputs, you can use use RCA or S-video. If you can't go directly into the tv, you can get a simple RF converter from radio shack for about 20 bucks. It'll take the RCA signal and convert it to a coaxial, which is the plug you may use to plug the vcr to the TV. Hope this works. -Brian

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08-20-2002, 09:12 AM	#3
phidauex Prospect Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 37	Did you find a software solution? Or a hardware solution? I'm curious about what is working for people in the tibook world. On my PC, i use software to disable the macrovision, but I don't know if such software exists for tibooks. The other option is little hardware things, but i don't know how well they work, and they would be inconvenient to use, but that might be the only option. give us more info! We can search google all we want, but I'd like to know what worked for you. peace, phidauex