archos copy protected files..can I play on pc?

[gunzblazin]

Hello all,
My first post may end up being a stupid question but I am early on teh learning curve here. So please bear with me.
I was recently given teh opportunity to copy some video files from an archos gmini onto my pc. Now when I try to play them they say "copy prtected must be played on original device" So how do I convert/remove/reencode/ whatever I need to do to play these files from the pc. I was told they were recorded directly to the archos using it as a dvr of sorts. So there was no conversion/copying done just play it and tape it. Thanks for any help as my kids will enjoy the ability to watch these and I will enjoy the momentary calm it provides when they stop chewing my legs....

have you caught a wave lately?

[Lester Burnham]

Hello all,
My first post may end up being a stupid question but I am early on teh learning curve here. So please bear with me.
I was recently given teh opportunity to copy some video files from an archos gmini onto my pc. Now when I try to play them they say "copy prtected must be played on original device" So how do I convert/remove/reencode/ whatever I need to do to play these files from the pc. I was told they were recorded directly to the archos using it as a dvr of sorts. So there was no conversion/copying done just play it and tape it. Thanks for any help as my kids will enjoy the ability to watch these and I will enjoy the momentary calm it provides when they stop chewing my legs....

If they are copy protected from the Archos device, it's because whatever was recorded, had macrovision in the signal. I believe they use some kind of DRM so that it's only playable on the Archos local screen (ie not when output to a TV, or copied of the Archos).

I don't know any way of defeating this, but presumably if they were recorded things, so long as they were not broadcast, you should have the original(s)?

[mats.hogberg]

What kind of video is this? GSpot it.

/Mats

[Lester Burnham]

What kind of video is this? GSpot it.

/Mats

If it's recorded on the Archos unit itself, it will be AVI, and I think they use an old-ish version of opendivx or something? Don't think it's Xvid, although it plays either (DivX or Xvid).

[Videonovice]

If they are copy protected from the Archos device, it's because whatever was recorded, had macrovision in the signal. I believe they use some kind of DRM so that it's only playable on the Archos local screen (ie not when output to a TV, or copied of the Archos).

I hope I did the quote correctly above.

I believe you can play the recordings to the AV500 only on it. You can find a workaround if you really must transfer the video to your computer. Do a web search and you will find solutions. Tho I think if you transfer to computer you may have low resolution. I just copied a movie from an old videotape using the vcr to the Archos, and it plays fine on my computer.

[Lester Burnham]

If they are copy protected from the Archos device, it's because whatever was recorded, had macrovision in the signal. I believe they use some kind of DRM so that it's only playable on the Archos local screen (ie not when output to a TV, or copied of the Archos).

I hope I did the quote correctly above.

I believe you can play the recordings to the AV500 only on it.

Only if the recorded signal has macrovision present. Otherwise the AV500 (like the other AV series) should be able to output on another display (ie a TV).

Do a web search and you will find solutions. Tho I think if you transfer to computer you may have low resolution.

If you transfer to your computer, you should have whatever resolution was recorded. It will (I suspect) be unusable, though, if the AV500 has "protected" the file.

I just copied a movie from an old videotape using the vcr to the Archos, and it plays fine on my computer.

There was probably no macovision either on the tape, or output from the VCR.

[Videonovice]

:) If topic still alive, can I give an UPDATE? I promise not to come back to it, just wanted to pass this along as it may provide hope to OP.

Today, thanksgiving day, I had some time to test a few things. I like to test to make sure this device does all it claims to do, not that I intend to use it that way.

About recording from an original dvd: I tested recording the previews to a dvd. I had the AV500 connected to the pod to the dvr (signal going from dvd through dvr to the tv). I intercepted the signal with the pod. Recorded the previews onto the AV500. Of course, the previews played on the AV500. NEXT, I connected the AV5 to my computer, using the supplied usb cable.

I disconnected the AV500, then clicked the AVI file. Among the options to play the file, I selected my old version of Windows Media Player. The previews played. Crisply. Clearly. Inside WMP. I did not try to fill the monitor screen with the movie, so cannot say how it looks blown up. But point I want to make: the dvd copied to AV500and then transferred to computer worked to play the material. Hope that helps.

So in answer to the following remarks, I add comments IN CAPS.

I believe you can play the recordings to the AV500 only on it.
NOT ALWAYS SO , AS JUST PROVED.

If you transfer to your computer, you should have whatever resolution was recorded. It will (I suspect) be unusable, though, if the AV500 has "protected" the file.
VIDEO LOOKED TERRIFIC IN WMP, NOT BLOWN UP.

Ciao. Happy holiday...now back to my smoked turkey!

[Lester Burnham]

So in answer to the following remarks, I add comments IN CAPS.

I believe you can play the recordings to the AV500 only on it.
NOT ALWAYS SO , AS JUST PROVED.

<sigh> Is this thing on? Are you reading my replies?

For recordings you actually make on the AV500, if macrovision is detected in the source, the AV500 will "protect" / apply DRM so that the video is only viewable on the AV500.

No macrovision, and the AVI file is un-protected and should be viewable wherever you decide to play it.