DVD password protection

[hooklee]

Hello,

I recently bought a LG DVD-R/W drive and I would like to make my first DVD. I put all the movies I want to include in my DVD on one directory and Im still choosing the best authoring tool use (probably DVDLab).
My question to the group is similiar another question I already did: is it possible to restrict access to the DVD content? I know that for all "protection" has a reversal engineering (like DVD decrypters, ...). My idea is to implement a DVD password protection that doesnt allows unauthorized people to play the content of the DVD, and also that doesnt allow any kind of bypass (like browse the DVD, disable content control feature, ...) from the standalone DVD player.

Thanks,

HL

[MOVIEGEEK]

The only way to restrict someone from viewing a disk is not to give it to them.
Seriously,you might try a hidden menu button(AKA Easter Egg) and adding a graphic overlay to the video.This won't prevent viewing but will make it more difficult to view and copy.

[housepig]

the only way I know of is to use a compression program like WinZip, WinRAR or WinACE and zip the material up in an archive, and password protect the archive.

so this would only work on a computer, not a set-top, and it would require that the intended viewer unzip the files to their hard drive and make a new disc or watch it in a PC viewer.

but Moviegeek is right... the easiest way not to let someone see something is to not give them the disc.

[Vejita-sama]

Can not be done. You can use an easter egg like setup, but anyone with a DVD-ROM can rip the whole DVD to their HD and use IFOedit et.al. to modify that as much as they like.

The DVD standard just does not support password protected files. And even if it did, based on passed 'protection schemes' it's doubtful it would work that well.

With that said, an easter egg like system would stop most novice users.

[bugster]

As the others said, if it is for Standalone DVD player use, can't be done. If the big bucks of hollywood couldn't come up with something better than CSS what make you think you (or I or others) can.

If its for PC use, thats another matter. A custom player app with PW protection and encrypted video files springs to mind.

[dcsos]

No problem

READ BIG PROBLEM

2 system that allow password protection to content

SCENERIST (thousands of dollars for PC)
and
CREATOR (thousands of dollars for MAC)

DVD programming techniques using Sonic Creator and/or Fusion systems. You'll learn how to work with system and general parameters to create if/then statements, change audio, subpicture and angle streams and create password applications and scored quizzes.

http://www.dvdlearn.com/pages/train.htm

[hooklee]

Hello,

When I say "password protection" I dont mean to zip the file with password and save into a DVD. I mean to build navigation to hide the movie on the DVD and at the same time to create ways to difficult the "protection" to be bypassed. For example, there is a VCD algorithm that puts 5 or 6 stills sequentially (for 5 or 6 digit password) that works like a password prompt, but the problem is that PBC has to be enabled on the DVD player and if a person disables it on the DVD player, this navigation can be bypassed. I would like to know if there is a way to create a similar navigation (or even a hidden control) that can be used and not bypassed by the user, for example, browsing the DVD. I dont know, but maybe there is a checkbox on an author program that disallows the user to use this function, or something like that.

[]´s

HL

[SLK001]

Yes, what you want to do can be done, and it involves a lot of work. But, it can prevent the casual user from viewing your "work" on a standalone palyer.

For instance, let's say that you want to protect your efforts with a 4 digit decimal number password. Create 4 separate menus with a button layout that looks like a 0-9 digit keypad, and have them prompt the user to "Enter first number of password". Set the key-press actions to auto-action to next digit menu, and save the button selected in a GPRM (general purpose register - memory that the author can use). The second menu will have the same layout as the first, and the user will be prompted to "Enter second number of password". Save the button number, and repeat for the third and last number of the password.

Once the password has been entered, compare the entries to the "loaded" value. If the password is correct, then jump to the movie. If the password is NOT correct, then display a screen that says "THE PASSWORD ENTERED IS NOT CORRECT", then timeout back to the DVD's FIRST PLAY entry.
You also have to set the PROHIBITED USER OPERATIONS (P-Uop) to prevent him from just jumping to the movie.

This will prevent the average "Joe" from viewing the movie, be we all know that most average "Joes" know one guy who is a computer whiz, and this friend will either crack the password (this is the weak point of this type of "protection" - the password has to be imbedded in the program), or simply make a copy with the P-Uops removed.

The viewing of your DVD by copying it with the P-Uops removed can be somewhat prevented, with some more work from you. This requires you to scramble your chapters, so that they don't normally play in the correct order. By this, I mean take a normal 10 chapter movie, and put them on the DVD in some wierd order, like chapter 6,3,10,9,1,4,8,2,7,5. You can either encode them this way, or use some type of PLAYLIST option.

If your password is entered correctly, you would jump to the correct chapter 1. At the end of EVERY CHAPTER, you would have to have a command sequence that would check to see if the password is correct, then jump to the appropriate chapter. If it is incorrect, then just continue with the next sequential chapter (ie, continue to chapter 3 from chapter 6).

So, to really be able to view your DVD, someone would have to pour through the menu programming and snatch out your password (although with creative programming, it can be made somewhat difficult - not something that the casual cracker could do).

So, I guess that the short answer is "Yes", it can be done. But is it worth the effort? My guess would be "No".

[Cornucopia]

Hello,

When I say "password protection" I dont mean to zip the file with password and save into a DVD. I mean to build navigation to hide the movie on the DVD and at the same time to create ways to difficult the "protection" to be bypassed. For example, there is a VCD algorithm that puts 5 or 6 stills sequentially (for 5 or 6 digit password) that works like a password prompt, but the problem is that PBC has to be enabled on the DVD player and if a person disables it on the DVD player, this navigation can be bypassed. I would like to know if there is a way to create a similar navigation (or even a hidden control) that can be used and not bypassed by the user, for example, browsing the DVD. I dont know, but maybe there is a checkbox on an author program that disallows the user to use this function, or something like that.

[]´s

HL

It's easy to make it (on VCD or SVCD) so that the navigation CAN'T be bypassed...
Instead of making your main movie a sequence, make it a segment (there are some limitations--size, no chaptering). Then, PBC would have to be on to watch any of the main material, as well as the password screens. Just leave a "PUT PBC back on, you fool" screen as the only sequence (this also helps with compatibility).

Doing password screens, with either DVD or (S)VCD, will certainly stop the casual/newbie user. We all know they can't stop hardcore users, but I don't think that's what he's worried about.

Scott

[hooklee]

Fantastic answer SLK001!!!
Thanks for the help!

[dcsos]

I assume by the fact that my post was ignored that no one has access to these expensive tools
but as I pointed out..
there's no work involved..
You just check off enable password protection,
define the password and thats all..
But you need CREATOR or SCENERIST

[lordsmurf]

If I can see it, it's mine. If it's on the disc in front of me, it's mine. For every protection, there are at least two cracks.

[dcsos]

Lord smurf said it best

There's a crack in the sky
(thats how the light gets in)

[hooklee]

I assume by the fact that my post was ignored that no one has access to these expensive tools
but as I pointed out..
there's no work involved..
You just check off enable password protection,
define the password and thats all..
But you need CREATOR or SCENERIST

Thanks for your tip, I really would like to try scenerist, but as a US$39,000 program it seems to be very difficult has a DEMO available, so it dificults me to test.

[]´s

hl

[SLK001]

so if you know where can I find this program it would be great!

Sonic sells Scenarist (because I just KNOW that you are not asking where to find a warz version, which would violate many forum rules).

[Cornucopia]

...But you need CREATOR or SCENERIST

I'm pretty confident in venturing to say that Maestro would also be able to do the job here (tweaking with the GPRM's and SPRM's).

Scott

[ImaWeTodd]

take a normal 10 chapter movie, and put them on the DVD in some wierd order, like chapter 6,3,10,9,1,4,8,2,7,5.

So that's what happened to my copy of Pulp Fiction.

[freestyler]

People constantly ask this question!

Here's the answer: Keep your homemade porn on VHS.

[dcsos]

Here's the answer: Keep your homemade porn on VHS.

So everyone can see it....

Maybe he was asking abouT the scene in which she was asking for his PASSWORD..when he reached under her skirt.......
It was the governor-elect i think!

[ricky1756]

you can try running a small chain thru the hole, and get a ombination lock, that only you know the number

[hooklee]

so if you know where can I find this program it would be great!

Sonic sells Scenarist (because I just KNOW that you are not asking where to find a warz version, which would violate many forum rules).

Course! You are right, sorry if I could not express myself in a proper manner.

Thanks again!

HL