Macrovision (Warning Screens)

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum

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Main article: Macrovision

North American Warning Screens

1st Screen (November 1, 1990)

Visuals: Over a dark gray background is the Macrovision logo, a tall gold triangle with the thin text "M A C R O V I S I O N" (with triangles in the "A" and the "V"'s place) next to it. Above it is this:

In order to ensure that the program
you are viewing is an original and of
the highest quality, this videocassette
has been protected by the
Macrovision anticopy process.

Technique: A still, computerized graphic.

Audio: None.

Availability: It only appeared on the 1990 VHS of Total Recall.

2nd Screen (1991-2000)

Visuals: The Macrovision logo from the previous screen appears on a navy blue background, but with two noticeable differences:

  • The logo is white and bigger than in the previous warning.
  • "M A C R O V I S I O N" is in a thicker font.

A reworked version of the warning text from before appears above:

In order to ensure that the program
you are watching is an original and of
the highest quality, this videocassette
is protected by the Marcovision
anticopy process.

Technique: A still, computerized graphic.

Audio: None.

Availability: It was seen on HBO Video releases from 1991-2000 like Turbulence and Zeus and Roxanne, some Barney & the Backyard Gang/Barney & Friends tapes, and the 1991 VHS of TMNT II: The Secret of the Ooze.

3rd Screen (December 27, 1995-August 12, 1997)

Visuals: On a purple liquid background, a spinning triangle pops up from the top-left, and goes to the right to reveal squares that become the text "M A C R O V I S I O N". The triangle stops spinning and an M fades in on the triangle. The triangle is in a circle that says "CERTIFIED ORIGINAL". A white border fades in over "M A C R O V I S I O N", as does a rectangle that surrounds the logo and circle. The text

In order to ensure that the program you are about
to watch is an original, and of the highest quality,
this videocassette incorporates the exclusive
Macrovision encoding process.

fades into the rectangle.

Technique: Computer animation.

Audio: None.

Availability: It can be found at the beginning of The Beatles Anthology and some New Line Home Video releases from 1995 to 1997 such as Mortal Kombat (its debut), The Adventures of Pinocchio, Seven, and Rumble in the Bronx.

European Warning Screens

United Kingdom

Screen (1992-1994)

Visuals: Over a white background is the Macrovision logo at the top of the screen, with all the triangles in blue, and all the regular text in gray, in the same font as the 1st warning. The following text appears below:

To ensure that the programme that
you are watching is an original
recording, this videocassette
has been duplicated using the
Macrovision®Copy Protection Process.

Technique: A still, computerized graphic.

Audio: None.

Availability: This mostly pops up on First Independent UK rental VHS releases from 1992-1994, including Deadbolt, Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead, Naked Lunch and Mr. Saturday Night.

France

Screen (1996-2003)

Visuals: On the same background as the CIC Video warning, the following text is shown in the Optima font:

CETTE CASSETTE EST PROTEGEE
PAR LE SYSTEME ANTI-COPIE

MACROVISION

Technique: A still, computerized graphic.

Audio: None.

Availability: This appears on European French releases from CIC Video from 1996-2003. [Examples?]

Bulgaria

Screen (1996-2000)

Visuals: On a blue background, white Bulgarian text in the Helvetica font scrolls up reading:

Този филм е записан
с помощта на анти-
пиратската защитна система
за кодиране MACROVISION.
Ако купите или наемете
видеокасета с влошено
качество на образа и звука,
вие сте попаднали на
пиратски презапис.
В такъв случай сигнали-
зирайте на българската
асоциация за борба с
незаконното използване
на защитени аудио-
визуални произведения
(БУЛАКТ) телефон 52-34-27
както и в най-близкото
управление на полицията

Technique: 2D computer animation.

Audio: None.

Availability: This was found on Bulgarian VHS releases of Underground, Rescuers: Stories of Courage: Two Couples, and Fairy Tales: The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which were distributed by Alexandra Video.

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