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Software Solution to DVD RPC2 Region Locking?
Martin writes "I just saw the DVD Region-Free utility, the other day. 'It allows you to watch all region DVDs on any DVD drive (especially RPC2) even if it has been locked. You don't need hack DVD drive (flash firmware) which is sometimes dangerous, useless or unavailable.' This seems really significant to me, yet I haven't heard anything about! Is this the first software based solution to RPC2?" Of course, it should be stated that the software mentioned above is for Windows only. Are there other similar pieces of software for other platforms?
I know you're a troll, but I'd like to nevertheless point out that it's 'Baliwood,' and they make more movies over in India than we do here.
Slashdot: Where people pretend to be twice as smart as they really are by behaving like children.
Region-Free Firmware. They also have tools for changing regions on another page.
No misinformation. You're just making assumptions about law.
First, I am Australian. The DMCA dosent apply to me when I am at home, regardless of wether I imported or bought an R1 disc home with me. When I am in the USA, according to your theory it is perfectly acceptable for me to play an R1 disc in my laptop, while I am in the United States.
If I region-hack my dvd player in Australia, I havent broken US law. If I play US discs in the USA, I havent broken any law or agreement, and if I play a R1 disc at home, I havent broken any Australian law, and it is a big leap of faith to assume the shrinkwrap contract applies at all. And if my player just happens to adhere to RPC1 instead of RPC2 when I travel to the USA, that is a simple technicality. (I dont think DVD bogo-licences yet state that PRC1 players break the licence, do they?) As to how well the shrinkwrap "We just assume our bogo-licence applies everywhere" restrictions apply, that is for courts to decide.
Its people like you who simply assume that onerous shrinkwrap licencing should apply as law, globally, without it being tested by a court, that ruin it for the rest of us by giving mass support to the corporations who want to take away our rights.
Anyone who considers arithmetical methods of producing random numbers is, of course, in a state of sin.-John von Neumann
I find it interesting that they've chosen to display the "Designed for" logo on their product page. IIRC, that logo is used as somewhat of a certification. IE. you're only granted use of that logo after you pass certain requirements from Microsoft.
I'd find it hard to believe they actually have official support from Microsoft for a DVD region hack utility.
I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it.
Well of course anything which used libdvdcss under *nix already gets RPC2-agnostic CSS software-decoding. I, personally, have never set the region-code on my one-year-old drive and watch films quite happily using the wonderful players available.
Rich
The "designed for" logo does not mean that Microsoft supports a given product. The logo is given to software (or hardware) that meets certain requirements which are freely available.
In short software needs to fulfill requirements in Windows compatibility (Multi-Tasking, Fast User Switiching, etc), Installation / Removal Requirements (use Windows Installer, the Windows packet manager), Data and Settings Management (stores application relevant data in the registry and so forth)
For those to lazy to read through the documents, here a short summary (for the designed for WinXP logo):
1. The software does run on Windows (I'm not kidding).
2. It does not kill your OS, or your data (at least not as a "primary function")
3. Any kernel mode drivers must pass a compatibility testing (e.g. not cause blue screens)
4. Any device drivers must pass the HCT (Hardware Compatibily Test)
5. Perform Windows version checking
6. Support Fast User Switching and Remote Desktop
7. Support Multi-Tasking and not prevent Multi-Tasking
8. Use proper mechanism to add/replace dlls
9. Allow migration to newer versions of Windows
10. Doesn't replace other dlls with older versions
11. Do not require a reboot inappropriately (only required when installing a Windows Service Pack or a GINA)
12. Install in the proper folder by default
13. Install any file that is not fit for side-by-side execution in proper locations
14. Support "Add / Remove Programs" controll panel
15. Support Single User / Multi User installs
16. Support Autorun on DVDs or CDs
17. Store configuration data in the registry and user created data in a proper location
18. Support running with limited credentials (do not require admin privileges unneccessarily)
19. Handle missing rights gracefully (don't crash)
Save your wallet and use DVD Genie instead.