HD and Video Sources

[Carraig]

I have a very unsophisticated Phillips DVD player that works fine with everything but the White Christmas DVD I just got. In the set, there are two DVDs, one of the movie, and one with special features. The problem exists when playing both DVDs.

The screen on the TV darkens then lightens in a constant and regular cycle: 5 seconds brightening, 15 seconds darkening. It is not the player itself, as I have tried other DVDs. It's not the TV either, since I have it on now and it's fine.

When the menu is on screen, it does not go through the dark/light cycle. The photo image and menu list are clear and the colour is normal. Is it possible the problem has something to do with the actual reading of the DVD by the machine? And if nothing is moving/reading when the menu is up, that would be why there is no fluctuation in the light?

There is nothing on the package that would be related to the problem. It is "widescreen vision enhanced for 16:9 televisions" which I don't think would affect the level of light, just the black bar at the top and bottom of the screen.

Is it something in the way the DVD was made? Because if I take it back, I don't want to get another one if it does the same thing.

[hb]

The problem you are describing is typically caused by playing a DVD encoded with the Macrovision copy-blocking signal, on a DVD player that is connected to a VCR, which in turn is connected to the TV. The copy blocking signal would be embedded within the movie itself, and likely not within the DVD's menu system.

Message Edited by hb on 12-29-2009 11:23 PM

[Carraig]

Thanks so much for the reply hb. Does this mean that it would work if connected directly to the TV? Because I am not sure I can do that. I have a very old floor model Electrohome, and am not sure it has the right plug ins. The cord of the DVD player has the red, white, and yellow contact ends, and being technically challenged, my son hooked it up for me to the back of the VCR.

[hb]

Yes, it would work correctly if the DVD player was cabled directly to the TV. If your older TV lacks stereo audio and a composite video input (the red/white/yelllow connectors), you could still do a direct connection using your DVD player's RF output. However, this means you must disconnect the VCR currently cabled to the TV's RF input - is it possible for you to consider retiring the VCR permanently?

Message Edited by hb on 12-30-2009 03:37 PM

[Carraig]

I don't think I could retire the VCR right now. I have a lot of old tv shows and things on tape.

I tried to connect it to the TV today, but all that is on the back of the TV are screws where you used to attach the antennae wires, etc. There is one "socket", where you can plug in a male connector that has a very thin pin in the middle. The red/yellow/white connectors on the DVD cord have relatively thick pins in their connectors. So that won't work.

Is there some way of making it work through my Bell Express Vu receiver, because it's attached to the TV. I did attach all the DVD cords to the back of the receiver, but didn't know how to get the image on the TV.

This is so disappointing. I love that movie and it's the only one I've had that did not work with the set up I have.  Is this a common security thing, or is it just Paramount Pictures DVDs?

[hb]

You won't be able to connect the DVD player via the Bell ExpressVu receiver.

If this DVD player has an RF output, it will have a socket on the back exactly like the one on the back of the TV which as you described is "where you can plug in a male connector that has a very thin pin in the middle". If so, you can connect the two with an standard RF cable - probably the same way you have been connecting the VCR. Unfortunately, there is no other way.

The video problem you are having with this DVD will happen with any DVD that has the Macrovision anti-copying signal. It is had to know in advance which DVDs have it, and which don't.

[Carraig]

I think I am out of luck, hb. I don't see any RF outlet on the back of the DVD. Here is a photo.

I found an old adapter cord for an ancient Nintendo and tried that, because it had a cord with the pin connector, and the larger connector. Here is a photo. I plugged the pin connector into the TV, and the black end with the larger pin, into the video(yellow) outlet of the DVD, but it didn't work.

[wilson32 · Accepted solution]

hi mate, what you need to do is purchase a multi switch box (don't know the true tech name for it) they usually come with multiple rca in (y/r/w) and coax out, which is what your tv has, so you can plug your vcr into one input the dvd into another then use a coax from the switch box to the tv, then on the front there is usually a switch to select each input and bobs your uncle, i know futureshop used to sell them not sure if they do anymore, just google it,

[hb]

Carraig - you are right, there is no RF output on your DVD player.

Wilson32 pointed out a possible solution, which is to use an RF modulator to connect the composite video output (yellow colored jack labelled TV OUT) and stereo audio (right and white colored jacks) of your DVD player to the RF input on the back of your TV. Future Shop sells this one 

My opinion - for the odd movie that might cause you problems with your current setup, this is all too much trouble and expense to solve. Just bank the money, and put it towards the eventual purchase of a new TV.

Message Edited by hb on 01-01-2010 04:20 PM

[Carraig]

Thank you both for the input. It's a solution, but as you said, maybe not one that would pay for itself, so to speak. If I did buy one, and later got a new TV, would I still need this modulator? On new TVs, would the DVD hook directly to it?