Can I prevent videos from being permanently downloaded by average user?

[frankyr999]

I am a personal trainer who wants to deliver training videos for my clients on my website. I don't want to stream the videos because my clients are often traveling and using the WiFi in hotel rooms, etc. and a video that's always starting and stopping would drive them crazy. So I'd rather have a video that downloads onto their desktop and then starts to play when enough has downloaded. However I would like to prevent the average user (I know that a internet savvy person will always be able to figure out a way to capture the video, but I'm not really concerned about them) from being able to right click and "save target" to their hard drive. I'm just using regular MP4 files or .mov files. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Francis

[Dv8ted2]

Can I prevent videos from being permanently downloaded by average user?

No

[Supreme2k]

Pretty much, no. I've seen some of the dumbest PC users figure out how to download videos and music.

As long as you go medium to low quality on the files, the streaming shouldn't be too bad (most hotels have high speed).

You could always password protect your client-exclusive content, since the "average user" wouldn't be viewing it in the first place.

Your only ither option is some type of DRM on the videos.

[Dv8ted2]

Passwords can be broken, and DRM ticks off your userbase, thus alienating any repeat business.

[Supreme2k]

Depending on the end purpose of the video (sale, rent, etc.) any of those options may be fine or irrelevant.

Regardless, the answer is still No. If the big companies can't completely inhibit downloads, there's not much hope for the DIY'er.


The main point is the piracy base. We've had the discussion about people wanting to copy-protect their wedding DVDs. It partially depends on motive, too.

Another simple method is to provide a time-limited download location that is only available to your (paying?) clients. That way, it's a more interactive process, rather than just anyone who browses your site simply clicking on a link.

Piracy and payment circumvention always has to be factored in to any content providers losses.