Protect DVD-Video prevents discs from playing on your PC

SiNXation 10-16-2006

Here's something that opponents of restrictive DRM implementations aren't going to be too happy with: ZDNet is reporting that new copy-protection software for DVD publishers from a company called ProtectDisc not only makes it difficult to rip movies that you've purchased -- no surprise there -- but actually prevents discs from playing in a Windows PC at all. So if you pop in a DVD "infected" with Protect DVD-Video, it can't be read by Windows Media Player, Media Center Edition, or any DirectShow-based software, thanks to a Universal Disc Format that tricks your machine into believing that the IFO file is zero bytes long. As you might expect, there are already workarounds out there that can bypass Protect DVD: SlySoft reportedly updated its AnyDVD software recently as a direct response to this protection racket. Still, this is a discouraging development for home theater buffs who have upgraded their setups to revolve around a hot new HTPC; remember that old standalone DVD player that you stuffed in the attic a few months ago? Well if Protect DVD and other tools like it take off, you may have to dust off that old player and return it to its rightful home in your gear rack.

GIR

well that sucks a lot , and even in a legal way for them who use their computers as media stations, I wonder what about Xbox? since its MS base i wonder how that is going to work.??

BonitaPajarita

Yeah that seems there is going to be more complications then what they are bargined to deal with unless they are just going to ignore them. And you know GIR has a point, what about XBOX (its MS based) or even players like PS2/PS3? Labtops would be pointless to have if you use the Labtop as your DVD and work/play, and too many people use them now to watch movies as they travel, etc. I just think there is a different way to go about this.

Why should a whole general public have to suffer for someones actions?! I say this because the movies that hit the underground/blackmarket/pre-released happen because its either stolen, or those that are working in the industry and have access and there hands on the actual film are passing it around (legally or illegally).

Chello

I remember Sin made a post about the music CD's protection. Pretty much every customer will just go in and ask for a refund or an unprotected disc. Too many people watch dvd on thier computers especially with Dell and HP selling notebooks that are made for watching dvd's. This pretty much just ruins it.

Hsoolien

This reminds me of why their is an industry push to HD-DVD and Blu-Ray.

While touting the reasons of space and higher resolution media (1080i/p output) it actually comes down to DRMs/copy protection (though space is acrually a sort of valid reason for it, DVD's are getting cramped in data storage).

DVD's were originally accepted and pushed by hollywood because they could control distrubution (through region codes) and copy protection (signals that dirty oldschool vid/rf copying used for VHS as well as actual computer copy protection (that was cracked early in the DVD history)). Now the 1080p/i is nice for real media buffs, the honest truth is unlike the jump from VHS to DVD which showed improvement even on RF/RCA Video cords, (still the preffered connection method for most homes) unless people start using highdef cables (wheter HDMI, DVI or component) there will be little discernable improvment in picture quality.

However copy protection... HDMI conections (the preffered method for 1080p and BluRay) support copy protection as also there will be new methods used with the newmedia devices.

Can Hollywood/ the industry force the move this time, we'll see, but I think it will be far longer and more difficult then the accpetance of DVDs

BonitaPajarita

Interesting. I do see your point.

When something major changes or they try to change something it's either going to slowly progress in popularity or its going to really go everywhere or no where. If its for a greater good for the public and businesses (like the use of CD's and DVD allowing more space to be saved on something so much smaller and easier to manager).

HD-DVD and Blu-Ray I think are good features but its not a mandatory thing to have. On top of that the labtop and other portable DVD devices (like for your car, labtops, small portables) would need to have those capabilties. The money it would take to make those changes. What would the effect be like?

What's the cost difference between HD-DVD and/or Blu-Ray?

GIR

well for blu ray(doing a convert from CDN to US, maybe difrent in your area.)
Blu Ray Player = $1000
Blu Ray Blank Disk = a pack of 1, yes one, is $20 (25Gb ea)(also i read that there is 200GB perside ones, but ouch that would cost a lot. if goign $20 per 25GB that is $160 each, EACH!! and just one side. Dual layer it and its 400Gb for 320. man i buy a Hard Drive 320GB for $100)
Blu Ray Movies = $25 to $35

HD DVD
HD DVD Player = $500
HD DVD Blank Disk = Cant find a price but i guess a little cheaper. I was reading that a company was making a Tri layer HD dvd that holds 45GB per side. so if Dual Layer im guessing 90GB)
HD DVD Movies = $20 to $30

Natalie

Unless you seriously some movie buff and rhave even the equipment and just got tons of money to waste that's going to way too expensive. I mean they already have problems with piracy to begin with. Rasing the prices just makes more and more people want to do it.

Hsoolien

Remeber that DVD's originally debuted at about the same prices, they wil come down (especially with the release of the sub-1000$ Blu-Ray playing PS3 and the 200$ HD-DVD addon for the 360...)

Pussy

OMG that so sucks. I do use my laptop as a dvd player when I'm out and about. What are these people thinking or are they even thinking?

Hsoolien

They think: Comp lets people copy, so we break comp ability. Then they hope the lost sales to PC users/people mad at the copyprotection is made up by less pirating (hasn't yet, but they keep trying)

Pussy

But isnt that kind of stupid at the same time. I mean most people don't even have the equipment to really see the upped details. And if people are willing to pay for crappy bootleg version (worse case scenario), do they really think its going to help? Even decent or great qaulity bootlegs would still satisfy most movie go-ers.

Passion

Maybe even those standalone copiers still work. Although I agree with Pussy. This will lead more people to pirate stuff. If they keep raising prices more and more people are going to turn to it.

BonitaPajarita

I agree as well.

What they need to do is stop trying to eradicate it. You cant iraticate anything in this world its harder to do. Unless you live in N.Korea. So just try to maintain and monitor the situation instead of trying to get a complete get a hold of it. Which we all know will never happen.

Considering most still go to the movies (some I know see the movie and still burn it ), and not all people have a computer with internet, and because of companies like MPAA and RIAA making a bigger deal about it because instead of making 5.5 billion they made 5.2 is why it's an "issue". It's hitting them where it hurts the big wigs, there money! Not to mention there will be crack codes out I am sure so fast it will make your head spin.

I understand it's new and I believe cost will go down but I don't think it will be to the price of an average money making consumer. And it sure does make it quite harder to sell a laptop.

Instead of suing little Johnny a 16 year old kid for 30K that his parents do not have maybe they should go after the creators? You could place a very good argument that they are just as bad or at falt as we (leechers/seeders) are.

Hypnotize

I hope they don't emplement this. The more they do to try and stop this these the more they actually promote them. Reminds me of that saying or song,"video killed rock star" or something like that.