DVD Architect 4 Copyright and copy prevention

WoodlandHill wrote on 5/7/2007, 1:02 PM
I am using the trial version of DVD Archtect 4, with a view to producing DVD picture compilations. I have copyright of the photographs and I do not want the DVD slideshow to be copied once I have handed it over. In architect the properties menu gives me the option to put a copyright on stating that no copies can be made, I have chosen all the settings with CSS and macrovision, yet I can make an exact copy of this DVD on another machine. Can somebody please tell me if copy prevention is possible, as I cannot see why I should spend USD524 on something when my existing architect studio three does much the same. If it can prevent copies being made then it is worth spending the money.

Many thanks for anyone who can help.

Comments

bStro wrote on 5/7/2007, 1:19 PM
From DVD Architect's online help:

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

Think of it as adding a notation on your disc that, if this burned disc is to be used as the basis for a pressed disc, you want software added to copy protect it. That's what you pay the big bucks for (to the mastering / replication facility). Burned discs themselves, however, cannot be copy protected.

At any rate, I don't see much point in copy protection these days. Just about any program that will rip a DVD will also happily ignore any copy protection on it. The user doesn't even have to ask it to do so.

Rob
Chienworks wrote on 5/7/2007, 6:21 PM
Actually a general statement can pretty well be made that it is impossible to prevent any media from being copied these days. If a person can see/hear/read it, it can e copied. The only effective way to keep your work from being copied is to never distribute it.
johnmeyer wrote on 5/7/2007, 7:00 PM
Also, please note that NO authoring program can put copy protection on a disc that you burn yourself; it can only be done by the replication facility. DVDA lets you put the appropriate flags into the master that you send to the duplication house, but that's all that any program can do.

And yes, DVD copy protection is completely worthless.
GeorgeW wrote on 5/7/2007, 7:14 PM
Agreed with everyone that the "protection" options are supposed to be added at the replication facility (and that they are easily defeated)

I think there's a flaw in how the Macrovision flags can be embedded in the dvd VOB's, and burned to regular dvd disc. Whether it would work against analog copying depends on how the playback device interprets the macrovision settings on a regular dvd disc (sometimes it works, and sometimes it does not). But the flaw is that we shouldn't be able to turn on those "flags" and burn them to dvd5/9 discs. It should be something the replication facility adds (at user request) -- so that users cannot just embed them and burn to disc (without paying the Macrovision fees). Not that I'm pro-Macrovision -- it's just that there's a gray area where a user "turns on macrovision" and burns to dvd5/9 disc. In some cases, that protection does work, and they haven't paid the Macrovision fee....

MPM wrote on 5/8/2007, 12:04 PM
@WoodlandHill, Google a bit & you'll find endless amounts of [sometimes very heated] discussion saying basically & as already posted, that you're probably wasting your time. That said, the latest schemes might slow someone down *IF* protected content is placed in your menuing system rather than as plain video clips. OTOH you're talking mega dollar software to intentionally create a DVD that's illegal as far as any specs go, & you'll probably spend a fortune on testing & support. If you want to see how easy it is for anyone to copy any DVD, check out DVDFabDecryptor -- this free software's only weakness AFAIK is a highly illegal & complex DVD menu system.
RBartlett wrote on 5/9/2007, 11:13 PM
Yes, I have seen a DVDR with macrovision flags force-on the APS. However this is incorrect behaviour as Macrovision went in cohoots with the CSS people. They decided that you'd need both present to activate it.

This is a missed opportunity for macrovision to take an additional revenue stream from small scale video production, IMHO.

The rules go further than this and if you have a set-top or software player that does force macrovision protection (APS) on without the presence of CSS (ie on a DVDR) then your player is itself in breach of US consumer product laws. It should not be sold as all devices must support macrovision as macrovision describe it's functionality. This is quite explicit in how it must behave and it is further protected by legislation. In generating the protection it has failed one of the lab tests that the macrovision endorsement labs undertake. OK, this may have been after you as a consumer have upgraded the firmware, but it shouldn't have happened this way.

Macrovision might reward you for spilling the beans. If the unit is imported they might be able to prevent further units from entering the U.S.. If it is made in the US, they may be able to profit from damages determined by court action against this manufacturer.

Sliding back on-topic:
I wouldn't worry about trying to protect or watermark your pictures. It might be worthwhile using the DVD-Video as a means to point out that print-quality versions of the images are available directly from you for a fee.

I'm possibly breaking the recent DMCA update by discussing these goings on. However I'm not a US citizen and the intention of this mail is to encourage protection rather than to defeat it.

Crazy world, yes - very probably.