Digital Copy Shenanigans..

So I bought the Hitman DVD the other night, tried to install it to my computer and it worked, but when I try to play it it won't work. Windows Media Player won't play it and neither will VLC. Actually VLC plays it but it's all green and blue stripes and stuff. No sound either.

Also, I have the Pineapple Express DVD, tried to install that and it won't even install. Keeps telling me that IE6 has to be the default browser. I have IE8 and I set it as Default in the program and from going to Start>Default Programs.

Oh, BTW they both have digital copies. I re-read the post and it sounded like I was just trying to install the DVDs..
I have no idea what to try. Any help?
I bought a new laptop and it has 500GB of space and I can't even get the damn movies to work. Ugh..

EDIT - I tried The Rocker too. That one also installed and then won't work. I don't get it..
EDIT2 - Okay so I got Pineapple Express to install by uninstalling Firefox then installing the digital cItopy. Now that one won't work either. It tells me the title has expired, whatever that means.

 

Welcome to why DRM sucks. I'd return all the movies as defective if I were you.

 

Yeah and I thought digital copies were so cool. Turns out they're ripoffs. That's a good selling point and you can't even use them. Waste of money. I can't return them, it's been like a year since I bought some of them.

 

You're buying DVDs and try to "install" them?

Sounds like copying to the HDD - and well, DRM is there to stop that...
So either you accept that you need to watch from the DVD (where is the problem) - or else you break the law (in most places) by "breaking" the encryption.

It is not normal for DVDs to just copy over (for example via explorer) and work - but some do.

And I think that pretty much concludes the thread unless you have a problem playing them back from the DVD itself because NBR does not promote illegal activities.

 

^ +1 to what he said.

I see the benefits of doing this, but I wouldn't buy a DVD just to come home and install it to my computer. Besides, a DVD doesn't take up much room when traveling unless I haven't seen a DVD in a LONG time.

 

wait- not all is lost.

you can use VLC and handbrake in tandem (read up on handbrake @ google) to transcode the movie to a different format (for viewing in iTunes, or on your iPod, or Windows Media Player, etc)

this works on all DVDs and does not break the encryption (it basically watches the movie as fast as it can and rewrites it) and is perfectly legal and normal for your own private use.

 

I thought you could just run the DVD and install it on Itunes?

Been a while since I put any movies on my Ipod, lol.

 

I edited my post before you guys replied. They all have digital copies, I'm trying to install those or however you say it. New to the whole digital copy thing.

I got them onto my HDD but they won't play now. They're all stripey and there's no sound. It's odd.

 

Im so confused lol never head of installing a movie, its just a file and you just play it.

If it has DRM on it, then you have to bypass it, it could also be a HDCP issue depending on what your playing.

Try a program called AnyDVD its designed for regular dvd's but it may work for your digital versions.

 

No, no, no! You buy a movie on disc and get a free 2nd disc that you can download to your hard drive.

This is a feature originally created with the advent of blu-ray to help sell them. If it exists for regular DVDs, I know nothing about it. I suspect your poor playback maybe connected to some sort of anti-copy software? But I'd need to check to be sure. If I were your, I'd check and see if there is something else you need to do in order to view the content without distortion.

In the mean while, I take a look at the blu-ray discs I have at home and let you if there's anything I find. I've a few disc with that feature, but never found much need for it since my disc space is reserved for other things.

EDIT: Alright then, I checked one of my Blu-ray DVDs and the digital copy on that disc is a standard definition copy available as a download vie their website. The disc comes with an included code that I suppose activates it. The download is available until Sept. 2010.

 

Okay, I checked again on my Wolverine disc and the digital copy comes via a disc you have to insert the use an unlock code. This one is compatible with Windows media, iPod, IPhone, and other portable media. You also need to download a security version of Windows digital media player (another form of copy protection?) to be able to play it.

 

some dvds come with a digital copy too. This is true for DVDs also, not just blueray.

it is an EXTRA copy, for your PC without needing the DVD. I am guessing this is in response to the growing trend of high HDD memory storage, and lack of DVD drives for really mobile laptops.

I have final destination 4 on DVD, and it came with a digital copy download thing. I never tried it though. but it does say its extra. My DVD works.

 

I'd say more of the former than the latter. But I'm sure you're correct.

In any event, it's still a step back for me, since standard DVD kinda defeats the purpose of buying the higher quality version in the first place. Still, it makes a perfect complement for those who watch content on other portable devices.

 

As someone mentioned earlier... get yourself a copy of AnyDVD (and download Handbrake if you'd like to do some encoding)...and do what you like.

This is NOT illegal... you are specifically allowed to make backup copies for private use.... (the DMCA prohibits the manufacture of copy-protection breaking tools.. but the DMCA does not apply to AnyDVD as it's not made in the US)

 

Daft logic...

Same idea:
"So if automatic weapons are banned it is not illegal to get an AK-47 because that was made in Russia?"

The fact that the software doesn't come from the US (I assume you're in the US) doesn't mean its suddenly legal in the US.

 

But if you were to install AnyDVD on a remote server based in another country, VPN into it, stream the raw output from your DVD drive (encryption intact) to that server, let it do the decrypting, and only receive the completed copy... would you be breaking any laws?

 

I'm pretty sure that yes you would be.

Simply because its not the server breaking laws but its you!

If you shoot somebody it's the person who pulls the trigger who's responsible (exceptions apply to children and other special cases) - not necessarily the owner of the firearm and not the manufacturer.

If your country does not allow the breaking of a DVD's encryption then it is illegal - no matter where how and under what circumstances you do it.
If the allow backup copies you might get into a situation where those two laws oppose each other in a way.
In that case you'd need to speak to a lawyer about it - because it would be a question if they enforce the law about breaking the encryption.
It would however, still be illegal.

On that note - in theory you couldn't copy music to an MP3 player in the UK because that's a copy... yes daft, because everybody uses them, and its not enforced.

The laws need to be reworked - but that doesn't make it legal.

 

Man I forgot I even made this topic until I was cleaning out my bookmarks. So where do I get this Windows Digital Media PLayer? I tried google but it took me to the regular media player.

 

I took that directly off the DVD label. Windows Media Player should play it just fine.