HD-DVD, Blu-RAY 1 step closer to being copied

[Groundbeef]

In some interesting developments on the console front, it appears that BOTH the HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are attracting hackers intent on beating or circumventing copy protection.

The PS3 has hackers installing Linux on the PS3, and are now sucessful in ripping the disk onto the harddrive of the console. Currently it appears that it is a copy, but not perhaps a "playable" copy. However, once the dam is cracked, it only takes time for someone to beat that protection also.

As far as the HD-DVD it appears that some enterprising hackers have hooked up their HD-DVD 360 add-on to their PC. Using some super high powered machines, they copy the Component signal in real time to the harddrive on a server. This is done because the signal is NOT encrypted due to lack of HDMI cables. Once copied, I would imagine it can then be compressed or whatever else they want to do with it.

Pretty interesting how people are trying to outfox the new tech. Not really suprising though.

[bfalls]

AACS, the copy protection used by DVD-Audio and soon if not already used by HD-DVD and Blu-ray has been around for some time and never cracked. I'm sure it will be eventually, but it won't be soon. I've read where someone was able to capture a frame at a time, but with up to 50GB for dual-layer Blu-ray that would take more time than it's worth. Even when it's cracked AACS will make changes, then the hackers will counter the changes and the game will be on. It will be a back and forth process all through its format run.
Copy protection isn't used to foil the hackers. It's intended to stop the "one-click" copy programs which can be used by anyone. Any hacker with computer knowledge and an understanding of the DVD/HD-DVD/Blu-ray standards will eventually be able to make copies, but at what cost. Many who attempt to copy DVDs now will spend time, effort and money for blanks and software, many times discovering after several hours of processing the disc has limited, or won't play at all. With BD-R discs still very expensive you could run through several without getting a single playable movie. On the up-side they would make unique and prestigious coasters for your audiophile friends.

[Groundbeef]

Any hacker with computer knowledge and an understanding of the DVD/HD-DVD/Blu-ray standards will eventually be able to make copies, but at what cost. Many who attempt to copy DVDs now will spend time, effort and money for blanks and software, many times discovering after several hours of processing the disc has limited, or won't play at all. With BD-R discs still very expensive you could run through several without getting a single playable movie. On the up-side they would make unique and prestigious coasters for your audiophile friends.

Piracy is a multi-billion $$ industry. Obviously the cost is dwarfed by the gain. Today it may be expensive to break the code. DVD's were supposed to be uncrackable but they were eventually broken. It is niave to think that people are not activly looking to bust the code. I was just pointing out that so early in the adoption there are limited workarounds to the technology as it exists now.

[basite]

and be happy now, wait till there are hd dvd and blu ray players for in the pc's, from off that moment it will be even easier for them to copy them, but let's be honest, who would want a 50 gig movie on his hard disk drive? i know i wouldn't. then i can have 9 movies and then all my hd drives are full !!

[Groundbeef]

and be happy now, wait till there are hd dvd and blu ray players for in the pc's, from off that moment it will be even easier for them to copy them, but let's be honest, who would want a 50 gig movie on his hard disk drive? i know i wouldn't. then i can have 9 movies and then all my hd drives are full !!

In 2 years, you'll have a 2 TERABYTE drive. Ye gads, I can remeber when I had a 20 MB HardDrive and thought "MAN I'LL NEVER FILL THAT ALL UP!". Oh yea, and I paid almost $700 for 128mb ram. I was assured that Ram prices would "never be lower" GRRRR