High-Def DVD DRM schemes
While we're waiting for both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD to hit the market, we figured we'd give you the low-down the Digital Rights Management (DRM) that we'll likely see from both in one form or another. It looks like at least three possible security measures to combat unauthorized viewing or reproduction.- A DVD-ROM mark or "digital watermark" can be imprinted on the disc. A form of this security was easily overcome last year by covering it with a magic marker.
- Advanced Access Control System, or AACS,
requires your player to maintain an internet connection to validate security codes. If the right code isn't sent, your player can cease to function.which requires that each player have its own set of decryption keys. Once a player is compromised, new media can be encrypted with new keys. - An advanced form of Content Scramble System, or CSS encryption, which was immediately "de-CSS'd" within hours of hitting the market (and there was much rejoicing!)
Filed under: Industry
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jellodyne @ Sep 14th 2005 12:28PM
Oh, yeah, Apple DRM is consumer friendly. Now then, why is it that I can't play the songs I paid to download in my car, but if I bootleg them I can? DRM and consumer friendly don't belong in the same sentence. DRM is by definition consumer hostile and, incidentally, ineffective against the real pirates.
Alex @ Sep 14th 2005 1:35PM
I play all my iTunes songs in my car via an iPod. Apple by far gives the consumer more choices what to do with the music they buy. You can always burn the tracks to a CD and take that in the car. Even though I have an iPod I usually remove the DRM from my iTunes songs anyway. That being said, it's only a matter of time before someone will crack a new DRM.
Jake @ Sep 14th 2005 5:44PM
AACS does not require an Internet connection to secure content. It does include the capability of supplying special access to secure content via an Internet connection, at the content owners discretion. AACS is a copy protection system with optional DRM capabilities.
This misunderstanding appears to have started from DRM Blog - where a vehemently anti-DRM author specifically stated, incorrectly, that AACS requires an Internet connection.
Ray Morris @ Sep 14th 2005 6:48PM
In a way you can't blame Hollywood for not wanting copies made. There will always be such a problem, I guess. Each DVD comes with a theft protection device when you buy it. Why not use this or something like it, that can't be reproduced or copied in any way. Each DVD player or DVD-ROM scan for the acompanying object exclusive to each DVD. When not in use, the device is stored in or on the case or, if the device is thin and light enough it can be glued right on the DVD so it won't get lost. The problen with a dial-up connection, not everything can be connected, (watching movies on a long trip in the car, ect.) It is still better to be independant, or just don't worry about copies. I'm sure this, as any new idea would, will open a new can of worms.
Kevin C. Tofel @ Sep 14th 2005 6:50PM
Jake, thanks for pointing that out. We just read the spec at: http://aacsla.org/specifications/specifications.htm and it appears to only allow (and not require) an internet connection for the device. Thanks!