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HD DVD DRM cracked, Blu-ray on the way

By Justin Mann

On December 28, 2006, 7:42 PM

One of the most controversial aspects of HD DVD has been the included DRM that, among other things, attempts to prevent copying and playback on “non-trustworthy” hardware. That hardware includes older displays that don't support the newer DRM formats, and HD DVD goes as far as preventing playback altogether on these displays. Supposedly, however, even before HD DVD has really hit off, the DRM has been cracked. There are stories floating around all over about how, why and who, though very little has been established yet:

"Muslix64" claims to have completely backed up an HD DVD movie and provides a Rapidshare link to downloading BackupHDDVD, a small Java-based utility that aids users to backup their HD DVDs. A YouTube link to see the program in action has also been posted.
The process isn't entirely fluid, and requires users to find their own encryption keys, meaning casual users will probably shy away from it. The similarities between HD DVD and Blu-ray DRM mean that if this crack actually functions the way it is supposed to, it may be a simple matter for it to be carried over. I'm very interested in finding out how founded these claims are.

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User Comments: 9

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  1. It was only a matter of time, and curiosity.
  2. LOL
  3. Now its time to buy me a hd-dvd drive hehe Don't need no hdcp monitor or video card & ill avoid windows vista being drm infested to.
  4. It was only a matter of time.Software encrytion is unsophisticated and can never work.Hardware encryption by Holographic technology will be impossible to crack.[url]http://colossalstorage.net[/url]
  5. If the data can actually be read by the player, it means that it can be pulled out using a way or an other.
  6. If people make it, then other people will crack it. That's essentially all there ever will be to it IMO
  7. [b]Originally posted by DragonMaster:[/b][quote]If the data can actually be read by the player, it means that it can be pulled out using a way or an other.[/quote]Indeed. The protection used on DVDs, HD DVDs, etc over the years has only been intended to stop amateurs. Professional pirates who are making like $200,000 for cracking one title have means of ripping anything that can be played.
  8. So this was the great, secure AACS was it? Cracked in just the same manner as deCSS was... I see torrents of HD DVD movies being available soon.
  9. There probably already are HDDVD torrents made using HDCP protection removers...

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