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VideoNOW PVD Reverse Engineering

Posted by simoniker on from the kiddie-player-reversioning-shenanigans dept.

Zoc_All_Alone writes "In mid-July, Hasbro released the VideoNOW, a portable media player for kids. The disks are specially encoded ~3 inch audio CDs. We have started a project to reverse engineer the format, and have made considerable progress. More information about the player can be found at the Hasbro website."

13 of 195 comments (clear)

  1. DMCA VIOLATION by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I have reported you to the authorities for reverse engineering this. Please remain at your location; the SWAT team is on the way.

  2. Re: So Crates by sporkboy · · Score: 3, Funny

    We found it in a tranquil time of computing, with many steps and columns

    Then, in the absence of Abe Lincoln, we brought back a Speak N Spell

  3. DMCA by Erick+the+Red · · Score: 5, Funny

    We have started a project to reverse engineer the format, and have made considerable progress. So far we have been sued for $10 million, and we are posting in hope of gaining even more attention to our work.

    --

    DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE

    ok
    1. Re:DMCA by eclectro · · Score: 4, Funny

      VIDEONOW discs feature a special proprietary format and will not fit into or play on other media players

      How much do you wanna bet that their lawyers are not from playskool????

      --
      Take the cheese to sickbay, the doctor should see it as soon as possible - B'Elanna Torres, "Learning Curve"
    2. Re:DMCA by LiberalApplication · · Score: 4, Funny
      How much do you wanna bet that their lawyers are not from playskool????
      Well, if their lawyers *do* turn out to be from Playskool, you'll be able to tell right away by their red, plastic briefcases.
  4. But does it run Linux?-Tastless humour. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    "I'm sure Hasbro will nip this in the bud as soon as they realize someone could market their own shows for it. (Or, god-forbid, porn!)"

    If they did that? Would it be kiddie-porn?

  5. 80x80 16 shades by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    80x80 resultion with 16 shades of black...

    I'd rather watch a 30 minute animated "buddy icon."

  6. Re:That's all well and good by Alien+Being · · Score: 2, Funny

    "But where are the people reverse engineering the EARLY kids' consoles, like the Socrates?"

    When I was about ten I "reverse engineered" my kid brother's interactive eduational robot called 2XL. Conclusion: It was an 8-track player.

    I guess I should have published my work to save these guys the trouble.

  7. Re:Wake me... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    At least it makes me feel better about my Visor display.

  8. great role models by r_glen · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Okay Johnny, see how daddy bypasses the cryptography algorithm on this special "Sing Along Volume 5" disc? This is what us grownups call 're-verse engine-neering'" ... "But Daddy, why are you wearing an orange suit and sitting behind that glass?"

  9. Of course it has a point by Yehtmae · · Score: 1, Funny

    Just imagine a beowulf cluster of these.....

  10. Re:standard formats by Speare · · Score: 3, Funny

    Its unlikely Hasbro was ever concerned about someone hacking a goofy little kids toy that'll cost 20 bucks come christmas time.

    In many cases, the toy industry is second only to black operations national defense contractors, in how tightly they control their technology. If a toy becomes at all popular, they will be dissected and reproduced cheaper by a knock-off company. So they often obfuscate and epoxy as much as possible about the design.

    In this case, it is the lucrative accessories market they're ceding by not protecting their design carefully enough... a big surprise.

    --
    [ .sig file not found ]
  11. oh yeah! by hangingonwords · · Score: 1, Funny

    nothing beats 80x80 grayscale porn on the go!

    --
    fact: microsoft > linux