MacTheRipper 1.5.6: New Version, RCE & Region Removal

[markusb]

Hi Wiseweasel:

Great App!

Does that mean you turn off all the region codes to set Region 0?

Also is there a possibility of elementary streams at some stage?

thanks and keep the good work going and thank geezerbutz for me...

[WiseWeasel]

No, you leave it on its default of all regions selected for region 0. You select the regions where you want it to play. Unchecking them all would make a DVD that plays in no regions. I think that would make your DVD player explode.

Re: possibility of elementary stream extraction: unlikely...

[plasticman]

WHAT A GREAT APP!! Thanks are definitely due to all those involved!

Anyways, just a couple problems i've noticed while trying to make backups of my library (wanna get more shelfspace) - i've tried backing-up 5 of my discs, and 2 of those totally refuse to copy using MTR_1.5.5. Interestingly, a couple more wouldn't copy in an earlier version of MTR (not sure which, but it preceded 1.5.4), but now copy successfully.

Not sure how much detail you want, but the 2 discs that fail behave differently in the app:

1. BROTHERS_QUAY is a region 0 DVD with no RCE. When trying to copy in MTR i get some text that says (would be nice to be able to copy-paste but anyways...)

"Usage: dvdbackup[options]
-i device where device is your dvd device
-vX where X is the amount of verbosity..."
...etc etc - sure you recognize this.

This dvd opened and copied successfully using YadeX

2. THE PLAYER Region2 No RCE. This disc just shows this text:

libdvdread:Could not open /dev/rdisk6 with libdvdcss.
libdvdread: Can't open /dev/rdisk6 for reading.

YadeX fails on this disk too.

Well, that's about it - not complaining here - just thought that maybe these failures help somehow with development.
Otherwise, MTR is a truly awesome free effort - hats off!

[WiseWeasel]

The first disc seems completely unprotected, so you might just be able to use Toast in Disc Copy mode on that one. It's still strange it didn't work, and I would be curious if the rip of it you made with Yade and burnt back to DVD-R also fails with MTR. If so, you might consider sending us a copy of the movie on DVD-R, so we can get it fixed.

The second one seems to have a problem with libdvdcss. libdvdcss doesn't have perfect compatibility, and there's nothing much we can do about that, unless you want to try sending the original problem discs to GeezerButtz in Switzerland, and even then, he's not sure to be able to help. I would suggest trying DVDBackup if your drive is in the right region for that disc, or else maybe OSEx in file decryption mode (by picking a key recovery method of 'file', and a decryption algorithm other than VLC in the options).

[plasticman]

The first disc seems completely unprotected, so you might just be able to use Toast in Disc Copy mode on that one. It's still strange it didn't work, and I would be curious if the rip of it you made with Yade and burnt back to DVD-R also fails with MTR. If so, you might consider sending us a copy of the movie on DVD-R, so we can get it fixed.

Haven't burned this yet - it's just an image on the HD at the moment - but i'll be glad to forward a copy if it doesn't work in MTR.

btw one thing i mentioned in the previous mail - copying Criterion's L'Avventura gave the same errors when i was using one of the early versions of MTR - but copied fine when i tried MTR 1.5.4. So i have high hopes of future releases on all problem discs...

As for "The Player" disc - the problem there is that currently my TiBook has no region set. The great thing about MTR (and YadeX) is that discs can be copied without playing (like all the other rippers that i know of) - so i don't have to use-up a region switch every time i wanna copy a disc.

I guess i can live without 100% perfection in your app but keep-up the great work!

[deadsierra]

I think that would make your DVD player explode.

That sounds like a challenge.

[ricephoto]

While we're on the topic, I did run into one DVD that is a real problem to rip. In the Bedroom will rip, but the folder is unplayable unless, and this is the interesting part, I put the original disc in and play it in DVD Player. Then I can eject the disc, open the VIDEO_TS folder and it will play. Once I quit DVD Player (or VLC) it will no longer play until I play some of the original disc. I have read that ripping using "brute force" does the trick, but I don't see any Mac rippers which have brute force as an option. Any suggestions?

[Macnewbie]

While we're on the topic, I did run into one DVD that is a real problem to rip. In the Bedroom will rip, but the folder is unplayable unless, and this is the interesting part, I put the original disc in and play it in DVD Player. Then I can eject the disc, open the VIDEO_TS folder and it will play. Once I quit DVD Player (or VLC) it will no longer play until I play some of the original disc. I have read that ripping using "brute force" does the trick, but I don't see any Mac rippers which have brute force as an option. Any suggestions?

I'm not a dvd expert, but you problem sounds like a decrytion problem. Maybe by putting in the original disk, the player was able to get the correct decryption key. OSEx has the ability to set the decryption key search/refresh to each VOB unit. That would be like brute force, I think.

[WiseWeasel]

MTR already cracks DVDs by brute force (as opposed to using the drive to get the keys). But yeah, try OSEx, with 'key refresh rate' set to VOBU in the options, and key recovery method set to 'file'.

[MacTraderBoy]

MTR already cracks DVDs by brute force (as opposed to using the drive to get the keys). But yeah, try OSEx, with 'key refresh rate' set to VOBU in the options, and key recovery method set to 'file'.

What is the advantages to both ways of cracking the DVD? Why do you use "brute force" over the other? How exactly does using "brute force" work?

[ricephoto]

Thanks WW. I'll give that a shot and see what happens.

I have seen problems with this disc elsewhere.

[WiseWeasel]

What is the advantages to both ways of cracking the DVD? Why do you use "brute force" over the other? How exactly does using "brute force" work?

Brute force reffers to a cryptographic attack on the CSS keys, without relying on the drive to find the keys for you. It means that the program will try random keys until it finds one that will unlock the DVD. On modern computers, this only takes a couple seconds at most. This is useful especially when the DVD is in a different region than the drive, and eliminates the need to switch the drive's region.

[MacTraderBoy]

If it is better, why do people still use the old way?

[WiseWeasel]

Good question. Probably because it's easier . . .

[deadsierra]

Will MTR ever get the possibilities to change the key refresh rate?

[WiseWeasel]

Not unless we do a major overhaul and switch the underlying open-source programs we use. Geezerbuttz is very busy with his real job, and doesn't have much incentive to do all that work. He does have a PayPal account (hint, hint), and does accept donations, if you want to make the process go a bit faster... We can be reached at mtr@wormintheapple.gr

[pusa]

Cool, they're using MTR over here: http://www.dvd2one.com/osxtoast.php

[WiseWeasel]

Sweet!

[deadsierra]

busy with his real job

Real job? Pfff.

[bendermac]

today i've run mtr 1.5.5 with the german dvd of city by the sea and i couldn't rip anything. i selected 'main feature' and a window poped up asaying 'creating new ifo' and that's it. nothing more happend except for a warning sound. i run the dvd with the apple player and restarted mtr again but still the same problem. then i started the original dvd backup app and voila it rips without problem. very strange.

i run mac os x 10.3.3

[geezerbuttz]

well.. as i have often stated... i don't have the time to run about buying / renting all the movies that will not rip , so , its up to you guys to provide us with.....

a) your system log.
b) MTR Log
c) The Disk..( and i mean this seriously).

As you can imagine , comments like .." it will not rip " etc etc , provide us with vitualy no information what so ever. unless we have hard proof of the bugs , there is no chance of a fix...

Its up to All of you.

GeezerButtz.

p.s And yes I do have a real paying job.... this was just an experiment that seems to be out of control!...

[Dunnyman]

All Hail Geezer and Weasel! (sounds like a bad Fox sitcom, no?)
MTR is just @#$%^& perfect now, the first versions were kinda buggy, but every version was an improvement, and now you've got a damn good app! The progress bar, the RCE fixes, hell, it's flawless, there may be a disk or two that won't rip, but there's OSex and DVD Backup to try if MTR won't do it! Basically, the two freeware tools out there now have a STRONG competitor, and we Mac types get better tools to use! THANK YOU!
When MY deadbeat clients pay up, I'll be firing off a donation to y'all!
....aaaaaand..howzabout you guys come up with a Cafe Press store with some MTR logo merchandise? It'll bring in a few extra bucks, and I'll happily buy a t-shirt!

[WiseWeasel]

That's hilarious, but I don't think we have the time to bother making a bunch of MacTheRipper merchandise. Although, we could probably come up with some fun designs along the Jack the Ripper theme. . . it's an interesting idea, and maybe somewhat of a solution for getting paid for a DMCA violator.

[ricephoto]

By the way Geezer, it really is a great app. Thanks for all the work.

I probably could pick up a used copy of In the Bedroom and send it off to someone. I just need to know where to send it.

[WiseWeasel]

Attention: MacTheRipper 1.5.5a is out, with improved RCE removal code. It's now more reliable, and should be switched to immediately, as the old code might negatively affect the IFO file, possibly causing issues during playback. It's at the usual link:
http://homepage.mac.com/wiseweasel/mactherippercurrent.dmg

The get info window for the application still displays version 1.5.5, but if you launch the app, and choose About MacTheRipper in the MacTheRipper menu, it will display version 1.5.5a.

Re: ricephoto, we can be reached at mtr@wormintheapple.gr

[pusa]

New DVD video copy protection from Sony: http://www.cdfreaks.com/news/9360

[WiseWeasel]

Those sons of bitches! Oh well, by the time it becomes a problem, I'm sure there will be tools to deal with this too.

[geezerbuttz]

Anyone remember BETAMAX ????? I think sony will stuff themselves with this one again. See the point about compatability with older player ( and by older i mean every player sold today ) ... and where did they get that crap about 15% of pirate dvd's being shifted in europe alone ?... Sounds like Sony is talking out of its arse , and trying to influence the market to switch to its 'JUST RELEASED' blue lazer recording technology.( player due out soon).

POINT 2)/...........................

Thanks to the TWO people who kindly donated to my charity.
BUT..... please , when/if you make a contribution please do not use the words 'MacTheRipper' , 'DVD Ripping ' , or anything to do with the illegal extraction of DVD's that you do not own. Also please state in the payment that you are not affiliated with any Law enforcement agency, RIAA , MPAA , or any of their affiliated establishments.

If this is not adheard t, I will have to reject the donation as unwanted , and return it to the sender as "UNWANTED"

When you contact 'WormInApple" for PP Addy, you must also declare then the above information in your request e-mail.

This may be alot to do , but its for our safety folks , and to protect ourselves from people who will missuse and abuse the application.

remeber , MTR is just an advanced front end to an existing unix app. Ok , so it allows you to do a few things that the original app will not do... but without the core its just a pretty interface.

So infact you are only paying for the work done on the Interface ( you can all state that in your messages if you like ).

dont be mistaken thou.... the interface does a hell of a lot of work underneath.


~Geezerbuttz

[ricephoto]

I noticed a change in a recent version. It no longer remembers the "Save To" location. Did that go away when you changed it to reset RCE for each disc? It was handy when it remembered the save to location since you didn't have to direct the app to the right location each time you launched it.

[geezerbuttz]

NOPE.... checked it here , remembers ok.... maybe your mac has a bad memeory (lol)