Self-destructing copy protection on VHS tape?
Ka Lun Pang
Hi folks,
I borrowed a VHS tape from a friend and it has a warning in the begining saying
that attempts to copy the tape will result in destroying the copy and the
original. I found this unbelievable as playing and recording are two different
processes. However, I've never seen this tape being sold anywhere so I don't
want to take the chance even it's small.
Anyone has experience in this kind of self-destructing video tapes?
Thanks in advance.
--
Ka Lun Pang (a.k.a. Andy) - Lost between frequency and time on the unit circle
email: k...@doe.carleton.ca
DoD# 0687
John Schuch
>
>I borrowed a VHS tape from a friend and it has a warning in the begining saying
>that attempts to copy the tape will result in destroying the copy and the
>original. I found this unbelievable as playing and recording are two different
>processes. However, I've never seen this tape being sold anywhere so I don't
>want to take the chance even it's small.
>
>Anyone has experience in this kind of self-destructing video tapes?
>
I have always thought that if I wanted to send the Police a tape with
a ransom demand on it, or send CNN a video tape to see if they wanted
to buy it, I would place a small magnet near the take-up spool so the
tape would be erased as it was played. Who would think to check?
John
Victor Laking
>
> Hi folks,
>
> I borrowed a VHS tape from a friend and it has a warning in the begining sayi
> that attempts to copy the tape will result in destroying the copy and the
> original. I found this unbelievable as playing and recording are two differen
> processes. However, I've never seen this tape being sold anywhere so I don't
> want to take the chance even it's small.
>
> Anyone has experience in this kind of self-destructing video tapes?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> --
> Ka Lun Pang (a.k.a. Andy) - Lost between frequency and time on the unit circ
> email: k...@doe.carleton.ca
> DoD# 0687
To put it bluntly, they are full of it.
Paying a tape is playing a tape. There is no difference whether the
output goes to a second VCR or to a TV. (How the VCR or TV reacts to
this signal is a different story - see messages pertaining to macrovision
copy protection.)
In order for the tape to self-destruct, it would have to have circuitry
of its own within the tape case. The circuit would have to somehow
magically determine what the output of the VCR is connected to. The
circuit would then have to have an erasing head to actually do anything.
It is a pretty lame scare tactic. (I've seen something similar on a BBS.
When the SYSOP wanted to, he could have a message sent to the user's end
saying that it is sending the code to format your HD.)
vic...@inqmind.bison.mb.ca
The Inquiring Mind BBS, Winnipeg, Manitoba 204 488-1607
Filip Gieszczykiewicz
>
> Hi folks,
>
> I borrowed a VHS tape from a friend and it has a warning in the begining sayi
> that attempts to copy the tape will result in destroying the copy and the
> original. I found this unbelievable as playing and recording are two differen
> processes. However, I've never seen this tape being sold anywhere so I don't
> want to take the chance even it's small.
Greetings. There are 3 types of warnings on (US) tapes:
1) A hologram is glued across the seam of the 2 halves of the
tape. The message usually reads, "If seal is broken, you must
buy this tape"
2) The standard "MacroVision" warning, "Copies of this tape will
be unviewable"
3) [your case] Extended message for the Average Consumer (tm) which
states that even attempting to copy the tape will destroy the
original. I don't believe you can sue them for misinformation
in cases like this :-)
Take care.
P.S. Of course, #3 is utter BS - but the Average Consumer (tm)
believes it. Heck, my mom once returned such a tape without
watching it... she was afraid that something might just
happen :-)
--
/ Filip "I'll buy a vowel" Gieszczykiewicz. | Best e-mail "fmg...@pitt.edu" \
| All ideas are mine but they can be yours for only $0.99 so respond NOW!!!! |
| I live for my EE major, winsurfing, programming, SCA, and assorted dreams. |
\ 200MB Drive - Linux has 100MB and MS-DOS has 100MB. MS-DOS is worried ;-) /
Pat Niemeyer
>I have always thought that if I wanted to send the Police a tape with
>a ransom demand on it, or send CNN a video tape to see if they wanted
>to buy it, I would place a small magnet near the take-up spool so the
>tape would be erased as it was played. Who would think to check?
That is an exceptionally cool idea.
Would it work?
How strong a field is needed?
Anyone?
P...@fegmania.wustl.edu -------------------------------------------------------
# #
C C "Revely, Nancy Sinatra, Christmas Carols... a kind of stereo hell"
( " ) -- Chris Buery, ABC News
`
---------------------------------------------------------------- (314)-851-0993
j...@cmkrnl.com
> sch...@phx.mcd.mot.com (John Schuch) writes:
>
>>I have always thought that if I wanted to send the Police a tape with
>>a ransom demand on it, or send CNN a video tape to see if they wanted
>>to buy it, I would place a small magnet near the take-up spool so the
>>tape would be erased as it was played. Who would think to check?
>
> That is an exceptionally cool idea.
> Would it work?
A DC magnet that would fit in a VHS cassette might do a fair job of rendering
the tape unwatchable on normal equipment. If you position it right you can
clobber the control track, without which an ordinary VCR will "hunt" endlessly.
(But it still may play the linear sound track.)
Erasing the entire width of the video track would require a stronger magnet to
maintain the needed field strength across the whole tape width.
The police won't have any trouble playing the tape afterward though, not if
they're sufficiently motivated to go to a suitably-equipped lab... it's amazing
what can be pulled off of "erased" tapes, especially (but not only) ones
"erased" by a DC field.
Even in the case of sending something to CNN, there's nothing to prevent them
from making a copy on first playing.
But, hey, if you're going to do it, do it RIGHT. Forget about magnets. Stuff
a small thermit charge, igniter, and battery in the cassette, and end the
voice-over with
"This tape will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck, Jim."
(p.s. Let me know the results. By mail, not in person. :-)
--- Jamie Hanrahan, Kernel Mode Systems, San Diego CA
Internet: j...@cmkrnl.com Uucp: uunet!cmkrnl!jeh CIS: 74140,2055
foobarf
: a small thermit charge, igniter, and battery in the cassette, and end the
: voice-over with
: "This tape will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck, Jim."
: (p.s. Let me know the results. By mail, not in person. :-)
~~~~~~~
Should we mail you the tape so you can make sure it works??
(Grin)
just kidding...
camt...@astro.ocis.temple.edu