CSS problem on home-made dvd

[rayc1234]

My neighbor made several copies of an original home-made dvd (non-commercial). When I play it on my dvd player I get an error message saying something like "playback CSS prohibited" or something close to that, I don't remember the exact words...

When I asked my neighbor, he says he didn't use any encryption when making the copies.

What's strange is that when I play the dvd on my laptop, it works fine. But when I play it on my dvd player (which I have underneath my television) it gives me that error. The player is only 6 months old and my neighbor says it could be the dvd player that does not recognize the dvd.

What could be the problem? Is there a way to copy the files from the dvd to my laptop, make the necessary modifications with a piece of software and then burn the files back on a blank dvd?

Thanks in advance.
Ray

[guns1inger]

You cannot (and neither can your friend) add CCS encryption to a disc at home. It cannot be done with burned discs, only with pressed discs.

You need to get the exact error message if you seriously want help. Chances are it tells you exactly what the problem is, but without it we are just guessing.

It could be as simple as PAL in an NTSC player, or it could be a compatibility issue between your player and the discs you are using.

[gll99]

Even with an original css protected disc you wouldn't get a message like that just by playing it.

Now if you wanted to play around with special menus to fool someone, you could make a dvd that displays that type of message as a looping menu and then use a hotspot/key/remote code (think Easter egg) to get past it. It might fool a lot of people.

If you take away the word "CSS" and add "Region" prohibited then it's probably what gunslinger said.

[rayc1234]

I'm not trying to add CSS to a DVD. I'm trying to take a DVD that has CSS, remove the CSS portion, copy the home-made movie on the DVD to my laptop, and then burn the DVD back into a blank DVD.

The goal is to create a copy of the DVD without the CSS stuff.

Thanks !

[jman98]

rayc1234 - I'm not trying to offend you, but you're not paying attention to our posts. You think we're not paying attention to you, but in fact we are, it's just that what you said is impossible.

A DVD your friend made CANNOT have CSS on it. It it is on some kind of consumer burnable media, it CANNOT have CSS on it. You need to understand that. CSS is ONLY available to people who pay pressing plants to press their DVDs.

Now if this DVD somehow really has CSS on it (ie. your friend did pay for it to be pressed), then just follow a ripping guide and re-burn it. Rippers remove CSS.

I suspect that either you have misunderstood the error message or it's a case of a bogus error message. Many programmers are sloppy and they just let certain error messages get displayed for everything, regardless of the problem.

[rayc1234]

No offense taken.

If you say that my friend cannot have CSS on it, then why do I get a CSS related message on my TV when I try to play it? My DVDplayer refuses to play it. What's really strange is that my friend gave me two DVDs, it's a 2-part home movie, and the second DVD works fine.

Is a ripper the only option I have to try? if yes, where can I get a ripper?

[jagabo]

DVD Decrypter

[bendixG15]

The updated version is DVDFab HD Decrypter

[gll99]

rayc1234 wrote

I get an error message saying something like "playback CSS prohibited" or something close to that

What I find strange about this whole topic is that you don't even provide the actual message.

Listen to what you have been told:
You cannot make a css encrypted disc from non encrypted source material. Even if your player is misinterpreting something on a disc as css encryption a standalone player would not warn you, it would just play it. Otherwise how could you play any commercial discs.

The most common messages you might get are "Region" errors or an unsupported codec message. for example,(he wrote a divx video on a dvd disc and your player only supports authored mpeg2 DVD format discs).


I have an itch but can't scratch it. Why is that?
This borders on the ridiculous. Get real and provide the actual message! Better yet take a picture and post it.

btw) If by chance you are trying to copy a commercial disc with css on it by connecting a dvd player to a recorder of some type and are trying to fish for help that's not the way to copy a disc but it might be one way you could get some type of protection messages. Ask your question straight out and someone will explain to you the proper way to backup a dvd disc.

[jagabo]

I suspect the CSS bit is set but of course the data isn't encrypted and there is no decryption key. The player may simply be seeing the CSS bit, and finding no decryption key, refusing to play the video. The VOB files could be ripped with Explorer.

[MysticE]

Why not just use DVD Shrink? If Shrink won't open it use FixVTS first.

[DereX888]

rayc1234 wrote

I get an error message saying something like "playback CSS prohibited" or something close to that

What I find strange about this whole topic is that you don't even provide the actual message.

Exactly

@rayc1234
I suspect you are getting some "content encrypted/copying prohibited" message when you try copying this "home made video" DVD You just don't want to admit that you're trying to copy commercial disc.... don't worry, it is FINE.
Copying DVDs for your own use is not piracy (only in the eyes of corrupted ******** like R.not.I.P Jack Valenti and his MPAA croonies) - NO ONE have ever been convicted or even sued for copying his own commercial DVD for his own home use, even MPAA have never tried that, so don't worry

[gll99]

@rayc1234

If your disc is really non-commercial, this may not apply to you but I don't want to mislead anyone who reads my previous comments at some later date.

A word of caution about disc backups.

This member's opinion:
The owner of this site has established his own policies as to what may or may not be discussed here. Showing someone how to backup a disc should not be interpreted as giving legal advice to do so since we all come from different jurisdictions where laws can vary on the subject.

At this time, this site permits discussing the backing up of legally purchased DVD video discs but not rentals or borrowed discs. It doesn't matter if your country allows (or not) these actions, these are Videohelp site rules and they apply in the context of continued membership to this site. Another rule is that we cannot link directly to programs that break DVD encryption but we may discuss the names and identify sites where they might be found.

So if anyone asks any questions about backing encrypted material it should be only for discs which they own. That is a clearly stated Videohelp policy.

[DereX888]

So if anyone asks any questions about backing encrypted material it should be only for discs which they own.

Well, one would think that this is so obvious it wouldn't have to be mentioned, but since there are so many idiots in the world I guess you're right stating and reminding that the sky is blue
Everyone in every country knows what stealing is, regardless of laws in their country, and certainly they know that making copy of a rental discs IS CALLED THEFT and not any "backup".

[jagabo]

Everyone in every country knows what stealing is, regardless of laws in their country, and certainly they know that making copy of a rental discs IS CALLED THEFT and not any "backup".

No, it's called copyright infringement, not theft.

[guns1inger]

Everyone in every country knows what stealing is, regardless of laws in their country, and certainly they know that making copy of a rental discs IS CALLED THEFT and not any "backup".

No, it's called copyright infringement, not theft.

The DVDs over here say, in big letters, that Copyright Infringement IS theft

[bendixG15]

I guess nobody reads the big FBI Warning

[rayc1234]

I cannot believe where this post is going. Why are some of you thinking that I'm trying to copy a commercial DVD? Have you all forgotten that this is the "Newbie" section and maybe I'm not providing the proper "expert" explanation to my problem?

The reason why I'm not providing the actual message is because this is my parent's DVD, they live 500 miles away and when I was at their home a few weeks ago, we tried to watch the DVD and I got the message. SO I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT MESSAGE. All I remember is that there were about 4 words in the message and two of them were "CSS" and "prohibited". That's all I remember. If you need the exact message then you're not the person who can help me. So don't reply. My parents don't understand english so they cannot read me the message over the phone. They're old. They don't even know how to play a DVD. The only time they watch a DVD is when someone is there to do it for them.

No, it is not a commercial DVD !!! It's a movie that someone recorded using a video camera.

It's a DVD that my parent's neighbor's son made from an original copy. He made about 20 copies to distribute to family and neigbors. The thing is that this guy is in the video-editing business (which is why the neighbors asked him to make copies). When he handed them out to everone, some people had no problem, while others had the same error message my parents got. So I'm trying to get to the bottom of this.

My goal, now, is to copy the DVD files onto my laptop using some of the tools mentioned in this thread, and then reburn them back into a new DVD to see if that would solve the problem.

Again, I don't remember the exact message, which is why I'm here at VideoHelp.com. I thought maybe someone would have an "idea".

This thread started out with my problem, and it turned into a copyright-infringement issue.

[aedipuss]

you've been given answers that work many times. run it through dvdshrink, anydvd, dvdfabdecrypter, etc and it will remove any possibility of css. burn the image or folder they create with imgburn to a new dvdr. done.

doesn't matter what the error message was. next time just don't mention that it's anything other than your own disc, as backing up any of your own is allowed.

[rayc1234]

aedipuss, you're the only one who finally gave me the answer I was looking for. How to "remove any possibility of css" and then how to burn to a new dvd (you mentioned imgBurn). This is what I was looking for.

My guess is that the DVD player is just giving some bogus error message with the word "CSS" in it, during playback.

DereX888, I never said I got the error while I was "copying" the disk, I got the error while I was "playing" it. So don't assume I was copying a commercial disk.

Thanks !

[jman98]

aedipuss, you're the only one who finally gave me the answer I was looking for. How to "remove any possibility of css" and then how to burn to a new dvd (you mentioned imgBurn). This is what I was looking for.

Hmm... in my post, I said
Now if this DVD somehow really has CSS on it (ie. your friend did pay for it to be pressed), then just follow a ripping guide and re-burn it. Rippers remove CSS.

which is the exact answer you praise aedipuss for. I told you what to do, but you didn't pay attention. Your loss, not mine. I also told you in the same post that your error message was probably bogus, which you now seem to realize.

Don't worry, since you're not paying attention I won't bother to reply to your posts in the future. I solved your problem yesterday and told you everything you now believe to be true.

[Noahtuck]

aedipuss, you're the only one who finally gave me the answer I was looking for. How to "remove any possibility of css" and then how to burn to a new dvd (you mentioned imgBurn). This is what I was looking for.

No!!!

If you paid attention i see a few things people posted before aedipuss

jagabo DVD Decrypter
bendixG15 The updated version is DVDFab HD Decrypter (why updated i don't know as it's not a commercial disc)
MysticE Why not just use DVD Shrink? If Shrink won't open it use FixVTS first.

The first one would have worked, if not, there is more wrong with the disc.

Also if ImgBurn works for you..... there definitely is NO copy protection on the disc as ImgBurn in no way shape or form removes or bypasses any type of copy protection
You may as well have just used copy and paste through windows explorer.

But obvioulsy you were not paying attention because i also saw you ask a question in which jagabo gave you an answer in the post RIGHT before your posted Q for the 2nd time.

Noobs

[gll99]

The discussion of possible copyright infringement came up because this is a newbie forum and the way you raised the problem and the topic itself is highly suspicious.

My neighbor made several copies of an original home-made dvd (non-commercial). When I play it on my dvd player I get an error message saying something like "playback CSS prohibited" or something close to that, I don't remember the exact words...

The more the person explains the more the story gets convoluted

this is my parent's DVD, they live 500 miles away and when I was at their home a few weeks ago, we tried to watch the DVD and I got the message. SO I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT MESSAGE

You may not like what I say but...

DereX888 is right that it should be obvious but many new users still don't know what is acceptable for discussion so my explanation is simply to show that if you own the css encrypted disc you needn't be afraid to ask a direct question. In spite of the suspicions, you received some excellent answers which you ignored. Someone generously even offered a scenario which has never happened before (likely impossible) that somehow a copyright bit had accidently been turned on and a number users mentionned programs to overcome this. Of course we all forgot or didn't know that you don't actually have the disc in your possession but that part raises another problem for your story.

My parents don't understand english so they cannot read me the message over the phone. They're old.

when I play the dvd on my laptop, it works fine. But when I play it on my dvd player (which I have underneath my television

So your dvd player with which you tried to play the disc is under your tv but the disc is at your parents home 500 miles away? hmmmm!!!!

I'm not mean spirited but come on!! Get real.

In future it will make it easier to help you if you avoid the riddles. If you don't own the disc then go elsewhere for help. The scenario you paint is getting odder by the minute.

[VegasBud]

rayc1234,

As has been mentioned, it's impossible for a burned disk to have CSS on it. It was set up that way on purpose, and there is no way around it. Since you can't remove something that isn't there, worrying about how to best rip an unprotected disk is just chasing a wild goose. It would be more productive to instead figure out how to re-burn the disk's contents in order to be accepted by the recalcitrant player.

Given that it won't be convenient to test different media/methods when the target player is far away, you should follow steps that are most likely to work on the first try:

1) Look at the "Book Type" field for the problem disk in ImgBurn. If it's "DVD-R", use +R media, and booktype it to dvd-rom...if the "Book Type" is "DVD+R" or "DVD-ROM", use -R media.

2) Use either Verbatim or Taiyo Yuden media.

3) Use the latest version of ImgBurn in "Build" mode. Do not use an ISO.

[SCDVD]

rayc1234, The reason you are getting the kind of answers you are getting is because it is VERY obvious that you have cooked up a **** and bull story that is as bogus as a three dollar bill. It becomes even more ludicrous on each of your new posts. Your "story" changes on every one. Give us a break and can the bull!

[rayc1234]

When people reply with one word answers like "Decrypter", or "DVDFab HD Decrypter". Are these programs, DVD units, machines? How does anyone expect a newbie to know what that means. I reacted because I'm familiar with ImgBurn.

How am I supposed to know what Rippers are and how to get one, is it downloadable or do I have to go buy one?

gll99, the reason why I said "underneath my television" is because I wanted to simplify my explanation of the problem, without having to explain the whole story about my parents. I had my laptop with me when I tried it at their home and it worked fine on it. Geez, did I have to give out the directions to their house too?

It's hard to speak to experts when you don't speak their language.

[jagabo]

When people reply with one word answers like "Decrypter", or "DVDFab HD Decrypter". Are these programs, DVD units, machines? How does anyone expect a newbie to know what that means.

Click on the links. DVD Decrypter, DVDFab HD Decrypter, etc.

[DereX888]

Everyone in every country knows what stealing is, regardless of laws in their country, and certainly they know that making copy of a rental discs IS CALLED THEFT and not any "backup".

No, it's called copyright infringement, not theft.

The DVDs over here say, in big letters, that Copyright Infringement IS theft

I don't give a f*ck what it is called in scumbag's language (by scumbag I mean lawyers of course, not you, so no offense).
Someone copying rented movie is stealing it.
If you see the difference between physical theft of a shrink-wrapped DVD from the store and copying a rented DVD you must be a lawyer yourself - because the difference between them is probably in the fees lawyer can get

DereX888, I never said I got the error while I was "copying" the disk, I got the error while I was "playing" it. So don't assume I was copying a commercial disk.

Regardless of it being commercial or 'personal' disc: even before my 1st reply jagabo and bendix already gave you correct answers how to copy it so it would play without any errors. All you had to do is read how to use them.

Of course I assume it is commercial disk, because those are the symptoms *you* described here, what else you expect?
There is no CSS on "home videos" DVDs.
and you still haven't quoted exact error either.

[Bjs]

This problem has appeared on some current models recently and is due to faulty firmware.

Check for firmware upgrade, and if not available, return the unit as defective.

Some units affected will display this error if region code used is not supported, and wrong format, ie, pal vs nstc is inserted into unit.

[rayc1234]

The problem is finally solved. My parent's neighbor (the guy who made the copies, and who is also in the video-editing business) solved it.

He mentioned something about the firmware in my parent's player so he said he had to "make an adjustment". Don't ask me what, I didn't understand his language either. He didn't mention any of the programs/rippers/decrypters mentioned in this thread.

Next time, when I have a problem, I'll explain the whole story! I won't try and simplify the story in order to save me from typing a novel.

And for those of you who are still waiting for me to supply the exact error message...keep waiting.