Hi,

When I use the copy function in the Sky+ HD planner to save my movies, etc.,
I can only get 4:3 format.
I'm using a USB gizmo from the VCR scart on the Sky box to a laptop. I've
set it all to 16:9 on the Sky box and the laptop and it just comes out
squashed into 4:3. If I set it all to 4:3 it records in correct proportions,
with the left and right sides trimmed.
Anyone else use this function OK? Is it my gizmo/software that needs an
upgrade?

SW

In article , SW
writes
Hi,

When I use the copy function in the Sky+ HD planner to save my movies,
etc., I can only get 4:3 format.
I'm using a USB gizmo from the VCR scart on the Sky box to a laptop.
I've set it all to 16:9 on the Sky box and the laptop and it just comes
out squashed into 4:3. If I set it all to 4:3 it records in correct
proportions, with the left and right sides trimmed.
Anyone else use this function OK? Is it my gizmo/software that needs an
upgrade?

SW

You have to use the TV Scart connector for widescreen (and RGB) because
the VCR pin 8 carries both the w/s signal in and the copy signal out,
but not both at the same time. Then the TV pin 8 carries the w/s signal
out but no copy signal, similar problem with RGB.
--
Peter Pratten
Please reply in group only

"Peter Pratten" wrote in message
...

In article , SW
writes
Hi,

When I use the copy function in the Sky+ HD planner to save my movies,
etc., I can only get 4:3 format.
I'm using a USB gizmo from the VCR scart on the Sky box to a laptop. I've
set it all to 16:9 on the Sky box and the laptop and it just comes out
squashed into 4:3. If I set it all to 4:3 it records in correct
proportions, with the left and right sides trimmed.
Anyone else use this function OK? Is it my gizmo/software that needs an
upgrade?

SW

You have to use the TV Scart connector for widescreen (and RGB) because
the VCR pin 8 carries both the w/s signal in and the copy signal out,
but not both at the same time. Then the TV pin 8 carries the w/s signal
out but no copy signal, similar problem with RGB.
--
Peter Pratten
Please reply in group only


Do you mean it can't be done then? Because if I use the TV scart, I won't
get the copy signal, although I will get w/s? Do I need the copy signal to
make it work? Is it to do with the Macromedia copy-protection thingy?

Thanks for your help,
SW

In article , SW
writes
"Peter Pratten" wrote in message
...

In article SW
writes
Hi,

When I use the copy function in the Sky+ HD planner to save my
movies, etc., I can only get 4:3 format.
I'm using a USB gizmo from the VCR scart on the Sky box to a laptop.
I've set it all to 16:9 on the Sky box and the laptop and it just
comes out squashed into 4:3. If I set it all to 4:3 it records in
correct proportions, with the left and right sides trimmed.
Anyone else use this function OK? Is it my gizmo/software that needs
an upgrade?

SW

You have to use the TV Scart connector for widescreen (and RGB)
because
the VCR pin 8 carries both the w/s signal in and the copy signal out,
but not both at the same time. Then the TV pin 8 carries the w/s
signal
out but no copy signal, similar problem with RGB.

Do you mean it can't be done then?

No - see below for my method.

Because if I use the TV scart, I won't get the copy signal, although I
will get w/s?

The copy and w/s signals are on different sockets :-(

Do I need the copy signal to make it work?

No - see below.

Is it to do with the Macromedia copy-protection thingy?

No.

What I do is set the timer on the recorder to start instantly (or use
the instant record button) then start the copy function on the Sky box.
Just make sure you set the time long enough - this does involve some
mental arithmetic. Not as convenient as using the copy signal but you
do get the widescreen and RGB.

Oh, there is one other thing. Make sure the Sky output stream is in the
correct aspect ratio _before_ you start the copy. If the programme
running in the background is 4:3 it'll use that ratio (this might be
different for different recorders so YMMV). What I do in this case is:
before setting the Copy function (green button) play the recording to a
point where the aspect ratio is correct and press Pause; then go via the
Tv Guide Planner route to get to the entry to set the Copy (make
certain you don't use the Back Up button to get there). Then proceed as
above.

BTW your newsreader is not handling replies correctly - I have had to
correct it manually so it makes sense.
--
Peter Pratten
Please reply in group only

"Peter Pratten" wrote in message
...

In article , SW
writes
"Peter Pratten" wrote in message
...

In article SW
writes
Hi,

When I use the copy function in the Sky+ HD planner to save my movies,
etc., I can only get 4:3 format.
I'm using a USB gizmo from the VCR scart on the Sky box to a laptop. I've
set it all to 16:9 on the Sky box and the laptop and it just
comes out squashed into 4:3. If I set it all to 4:3 it records in
correct proportions, with the left and right sides trimmed.
Anyone else use this function OK? Is it my gizmo/software that needs
an upgrade?

SW

You have to use the TV Scart connector for widescreen (and RGB)
because
the VCR pin 8 carries both the w/s signal in and the copy signal out,
but not both at the same time. Then the TV pin 8 carries the w/s
signal
out but no copy signal, similar problem with RGB.

Do you mean it can't be done then?

No - see below for my method.

Because if I use the TV scart, I won't get the copy signal, although I
will get w/s?

The copy and w/s signals are on different sockets :-(

Do I need the copy signal to make it work?

No - see below.

Is it to do with the Macromedia copy-protection thingy?

No.

What I do is set the timer on the recorder to start instantly (or use
the instant record button) then start the copy function on the Sky box.
Just make sure you set the time long enough - this does involve some
mental arithmetic. Not as convenient as using the copy signal but you
do get the widescreen and RGB.

Oh, there is one other thing. Make sure the Sky output stream is in the
correct aspect ratio _before_ you start the copy. If the programme
running in the background is 4:3 it'll use that ratio (this might be
different for different recorders so YMMV). What I do in this case is:
before setting the Copy function (green button) play the recording to a
point where the aspect ratio is correct and press Pause; then go via the
Tv Guide Planner route to get to the entry to set the Copy (make
certain you don't use the Back Up button to get there). Then proceed as
above.

BTW your newsreader is not handling replies correctly - I have had to
correct it manually so it makes sense.
--
Peter Pratten
Please reply in group only

Hi Peter,

Thanks, I'll give it another go.
Apologies for the unformatted reply. I "upgraded" Windows Live Mail to 2011
version, and that's what happened. I haven't yet found any options to indent
replies or anything similar. I think I need a dedicated newsreader program,
or install Thunderbird or something. I used to use Forte newsreader years
ago but I think that's not free anymore.

SW

"Peter Pratten" wrote in message
...
In article , SW
writes
"Peter Pratten" wrote in message
...

In article SW
writes
Hi,

When I use the copy function in the Sky+ HD planner to save my movies,
etc., I can only get 4:3 format.
I'm using a USB gizmo from the VCR scart on the Sky box to a laptop.
I've set it all to 16:9 on the Sky box and the laptop and it just
comes out squashed into 4:3. If I set it all to 4:3 it records in
correct proportions, with the left and right sides trimmed.
Anyone else use this function OK? Is it my gizmo/software that needs
an upgrade?

SW

You have to use the TV Scart connector for widescreen (and RGB)
because
the VCR pin 8 carries both the w/s signal in and the copy signal out,
but not both at the same time. Then the TV pin 8 carries the w/s
signal
out but no copy signal, similar problem with RGB.

Do you mean it can't be done then?

No - see below for my method.

Because if I use the TV scart, I won't get the copy signal, although I
will get w/s?

The copy and w/s signals are on different sockets :-(

Do I need the copy signal to make it work?

No - see below.

Is it to do with the Macromedia copy-protection thingy?

No.

What I do is set the timer on the recorder to start instantly (or use the
instant record button) then start the copy function on the Sky box. Just
make sure you set the time long enough - this does involve some mental
arithmetic. Not as convenient as using the copy signal but you do get the
widescreen and RGB.

Oh, there is one other thing. Make sure the Sky output stream is in the
correct aspect ratio _before_ you start the copy. If the programme
running in the background is 4:3 it'll use that ratio (this might be
different for different recorders so YMMV). What I do in this case is:
before setting the Copy function (green button) play the recording to a
point where the aspect ratio is correct and press Pause; then go via the
Tv Guide Planner route to get to the entry to set the Copy (make certain
you don't use the Back Up button to get there). Then proceed as above.

BTW your newsreader is not handling replies correctly - I have had to
correct it manually so it makes sense.
--
Peter Pratten
Please reply in group only

Hi Peter,

I think it must be my software, as I've tried both scart sockets, different
channels, and whatever, it always comes out 4:3.
I've also tried two different laptops (although with the same software,
Cyberlink DVD Suite/PowerProducer v4).

I'll try a free trial on some other software to try and prove the point.

SW

In article , SW
writes

"Peter Pratten" wrote in message
...
In article , SW
writes
"Peter Pratten" wrote in message
...

In article SW
writes
Hi,

When I use the copy function in the Sky+ HD planner to save my
movies, etc., I can only get 4:3 format.
I'm using a USB gizmo from the VCR scart on the Sky box to a
laptop. I've set it all to 16:9 on the Sky box and the laptop and

comes out squashed into 4:3. If I set it all to 4:3 it records in
correct proportions, with the left and right sides trimmed.
Anyone else use this function OK? Is it my gizmo/software that needs
an upgrade?

SW

You have to use the TV Scart connector for widescreen (and RGB)
because
the VCR pin 8 carries both the w/s signal in and the copy signal out,
but not both at the same time. Then the TV pin 8 carries the w/s
signal
out but no copy signal, similar problem with RGB.

Do you mean it can't be done then?

No - see below for my method.

Because if I use the TV scart, I won't get the copy signal, although I
will get w/s?

The copy and w/s signals are on different sockets :-(

Do I need the copy signal to make it work?

No - see below.

Is it to do with the Macromedia copy-protection thingy?

No.

What I do is set the timer on the recorder to start instantly (or use
the instant record button) then start the copy function on the Sky
box. Just make sure you set the time long enough - this does involve
some mental arithmetic. Not as convenient as using the copy signal
but you do get the widescreen and RGB.

Oh, there is one other thing. Make sure the Sky output stream is in
the correct aspect ratio _before_ you start the copy. If the
programme running in the background is 4:3 it'll use that ratio (this
might be different for different recorders so YMMV). What I do in
this case is: before setting the Copy function (green button) play the
recording to a point where the aspect ratio is correct and press
Pause; then go via the Tv Guide Planner route to get to the entry to
set the Copy (make certain you don't use the Back Up button to get
there). Then proceed as above.

BTW your newsreader is not handling replies correctly - I have had to
correct it manually so it makes sense.
-- Peter Pratten
Please reply in group only

Hi Peter,

I think it must be my software, as I've tried both scart sockets,
different channels, and whatever, it always comes out 4:3.
I've also tried two different laptops (although with the same software,
Cyberlink DVD Suite/PowerProducer v4).

I'll try a free trial on some other software to try and prove the point.

SW

My experience is with a DVDR/HDD PVR so as your results are different it
must be that the USB gizmo is not handling the w/s signal on pin 8 of
the TV Scart.
--
Peter Pratten
Please reply in group only