Copy protection on DVDA3

wufred wrote on 9/11/2005, 12:45 PM

Has anyone tried the copy protection feature on DVDA 3 ? I burned my project using "yes" for copy protection and set it for "1" generation. But I can copy at least up to the fifth generation using my Sony Veritas software !! Each generation I tried, I used as the source, the latest copy I got. I know there are zillions of ways that people get around copy protection, but for a Sony copying software to ignor the copy protection that another Sony software generated, I am kind of surpised.
I would like to at least provide some sort of impediment to people trying to copy my stuff, can someone suggest something I can do ?

Comments

bStro wrote on 9/11/2005, 12:59 PM

From the DVDA manual / help file:

"DVD Architect software sets the flags for CSS and Macrovision copy protection; the encoding/encryption must be added by the mastering or replication facility."

Burned DVDs cannot be copy protected by DVDA or any other software. Copy protection is only recognized on pressed DVDs.

Rob

wufred wrote on 9/11/2005, 3:32 PM

Thank you, that's a little bit of disappointment.

DrLumen wrote on 9/11/2005, 11:51 PM

Not sure but it may have to do with licensing of CSS. Of course, you might look around on the web. There may be a de-de-css...

Just a thought.

johnmeyer wrote on 9/12/2005, 4:53 PM

Not sure but it may have to do with licensing of CSS.

No, the inability to create and burn a copy protected DVD is not a deficiency in DVD Architect. The copy protection can only be added to a "pressed" DVD and is not physically possible to add to a DVD that you burn yourself. You therefore will not find software on the web that will let you do this.

Also, as has been pointed out countless times on this board, copy protection is pretty much a waste of time since it takes no more effort or cost than the price of a twenty second free download to break the DVD copy protection scheme.

RBartlett wrote on 9/15/2005, 6:43 AM

What everyone has already said is the truth. For clarity:

Certain elements of the copy protection schemes can exist on a DVDR authored up as DVD-Video, however you need all of them in place to be certain to get ALL playback equipment to honour them. Also without the key area present, the scrambling/encryption option isn't possible - which is the main indicator that PC based copiers look for before they start to do anything.

The larger sectors (and protection flags) can be applied to the VOB "chunks", the flags can be set to permit and control one or more copies from being made using "copy inhibit" friendly typically set top based equipment. Also VBI data and watermarking can be set. However the waste in all of these is that the powers that be have decided that these are complementary technologies. So each new one essentially builds on top of the older mechanisms. Each needing licenses paid and each needing you to press to a disc that has the CSS functionality in it.

The reality is also that many replicators won't thank you for giving them a DLT or ISO of the cutter files with the flags set. They want their ID on the work - so would prefer to do it and charge you for it along with the scrambing itself. However this feature is what folks ask for, and Sony have provided the means to do it. You just need a good lathe and a piece of cutter translation software to make your own father/mother/pressings.

This is what I've researched. Where the playback device honours large sectors with macrovision APS, CGMS or watermarking, if it does so without the presence of CSS keys and encryption then strictly speaking it isn't a machine that should be sold in the Western world etc. Certainly not in North America.

Perhaps when BluRay becomes the defacto shiny disc format - then our red laser DVD burners firmware and discs might have the key area provided. But somehow I doubt it. I think it will be out of bounds and pre-burned purely on the basis that homebrew/low-volume DVDR isn't seen as a consumer delivery format by the people who engineer these types of systems. We know it is and we would probably pay something towards the patent holders and IPR providers even if just to keep our honest customers honest.

If you press a disc that is going to be popular, these days, you might as well also host the file on the web or a P2P service. DRM and enhanced encryption schemes help, but adding value such as custom packaging, or educating your acquantances and kids not to steal is more worthwhile. Indeed, DRM and enhanced encryption schemes are of little use to you if you are making a DVD-Video or want low cost support arrangements with your end customer.

Art work has probably been a bone of contention since the first tribe copied the neighbouring tribe's stories. Picturing the silhouette shadows on the animal skin backlit by the flickering flame fire. However back then it was beneficial to humanity for folks to not want to live in the same tribe forever but to spread there stories and genes throughout the land, slowly but surely. Now we rapidly spread our troubles and chip away at the wealth of the people who used to command it all. However we rarely hear the stories of the good folks who want to invest in our creative arts and films - we hear so much more about the thieves and criminals.

Please consider the effort of your labours in that some good percentage will go to people who will enjoy, pay for, recommend and return for some more some day.

johnmeyer wrote on 9/15/2005, 10:09 AM

I gave a long answer about the usefulness of copy protection (short version: it isn't useful), and also gave lots of suggestions for how to reduce piracy. Here's the link:

Don't Copy Protect

Steve Mann wrote on 9/16/2005, 12:01 AM

"4. Emphasize convenience. Offer to drop-ship to everyone on a list (you can charge a little extra). Offer to put a personalized note in each package (like Shutterfly does for photo prints that are drop shipped)."

Now, that's an idea I hadn't thought of.

I have been doing a lot of theater productions lately, and while I expect some copying to occur, I want to make it easier for them to simply order more copies from me. I have considered making an offer on the order form for a discounted second copy at the time of the order only. (One additional copy only) It's a gamble that I will lose some original orders, but I would hope to recover that in the second copies.

"5. Finally, put a very positive, very polite, but very firm disclaimer in your cover letter that reminds them that this is copyrighted material. This should be integrated with the marketing piece that explains all the benefits outlined above. You can also extend the FUD by saying that the best copies are made from the original source material, using industrial grade duplication equipment, and this reduces errors and increases compatibility and reliability, etc., etc., …"

I personally dislike the FUD factor approach, but I do ask people to not make copies because if too many people make copies for their friends instead of them buying their own, I'll stop shooting the videos. I also try to put some extras on the disc that they wouldn't get anywhere else, so they want me back for the next production.