Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for preventing a dual deck video recorder from being used to record a copy-protected video signal. A switch is included on the recorder to indicate whether a video signal input to one of the deck locations for recording originates externally of the machine or internally at another deck location. Recording is prevented whenever the switch indicates that the video signal originates from the other deck location if the video signal at such location includes a selected copy-protect signal. If a video signal to be recorded comes from externally of the machine, copying of the same is prevented if (1) the video signal includes the copy-protect signal; or (2) the video signal to be copied is the same as the play back video signal and the latter has the selected copy-protect signal.

Abstract: Added pseudo-sync pulses and AGC pulses are removed from a video signal to enable acceptable video recording thereof. The added signals previously interfered with acceptable video recording of the video signal because the automatic gain control of videotape recorders sensed false recording levels, while conventional televisions receivers were unaffected by those modifications to the video signal. Removal of the added pulses permits acceptable video recording of the previously modified video signal. A selectively-operable clipping circuit is used to remove selected negative-value components (i.e. pseudo-sync pulses) from the video signal, while added AGC pulses are effectively blanked from the video signal with an electrically-operable switch. Both the blanking and clipping functions are selectively achieved by sensing both the normal sync pulses of the video signal and the added pseudo-sync pulses.

Abstract: A video signal is modified so that a television receiver will still provide a normal color picture from the modified video signal while a videotape recording of the modified video signal produces generally unacceptable pictures. This invention relies on the fact that typical videocassette recorder automatic gain control systems cannot distinguish between the normal sync pulses (including equalizing or broad pulses) of a conventional video signal and added pseudo-sync pulses. Pseudo-sync pulses are defined here as any other pulses which extend down to a normal sync tip level and which have a duration of at least 0.5 microseconds. A plurality of such pseudo-sync pulses is added to the conventional video signal during the vertical blanking interval, and each of such pseudo-sync pulses is followed by a positive pulse of suitable amplitude and duration.

Abstract: A video signal of the type having phase modulation induced in the color burst component thereof to inhibit video tape recording, is modified to remove the phase modulation and permit acceptable video tape recording. The phase modulated color burst component of an incoming video signal drives a phase lock loop, which regenerates a color burst component free of the modulation for insertion into the video signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which modifies a color video signal in such a manner that a conventional television receiver produces a normal color picture from the modified signal, whereas a videotape recording made from the modified signal exhibits annoying color interference. This is achieved by phase modulating the color burst component of the video signal with a noise signal. A videotape recorder interprets the phase variation as a velocity error and alters the chrominance signal, giving rise to color noise in the videotape recording. The characteristics of the noise signal are chosen to preclude interfering with the receiver's subcarrier regenerator.