Although Macrovision since it was first used has been a PITA there is ways to get around it. I had some problems backing up some of my Laserdiscs when I tryed recording on my DVD recorder. Sharpness and colors were off. I started to do a little research and found the SIMA Color Corrector 2 did the job for me. It will eliminate any copyguard at this time on VHS, DVD. I tryed to record some of my Mr. Bill DVD's for a good friend and even my older smaller copyguard eliminator left thin yellow lines across the screen. SIMA will take care of that. Yeah it can be a little pricey, but if you are going to do alot of viewing and recording of Macrovision I would strongly suggest it. I dropped $200 locally for one just because I needed the option to take it back in case it didn't work for me or it encountered problems. You can adjust color blue,red,green-sharpness-contrast-tint-brightness. Has s-video & rca in/out can handle 4 inputs and is remote controlled. Its an amazing little unit that has worked for me now for about a year. When I transfer my Looney Tunes the colors are even brighter than the original in some instances. I have tryed those small hideaway types and they work for simple applications but if you require more control the Color Corrector is the way to go. Color Corrector is for VHS only the Color Corrector 2 or II is for DVD/VHS and can handle any Macrovision until blue ray arrives. I have read they will use an updated Macrovision for those. I have no affiliation with SIMA I just know it works and my friends are impressed with my transfers.
Below: SIMA SCC is for VHS only the second pis is SCC 2 for VHS/DVD