Copying a (seemingly) copy-protected VCD

[w1n73rmu7e]

Hi,

I'm getting errors when I try to play a VCD on my HTPC (running Kubuntu 9.04) using MPlayer ("Seek error"), VLC or Xine. I also can't copy the CD (using either K3b or a low-level dd copy (only copies 1.4 MB to the ISO)). I don't have any problems playing it in my hardware VCD player though. Does anyone know of such copy-protected VCDs, and if there's a way to copy them anyway?

Thanks!

[tetsuo55]

Hi,

I'm getting errors when I try to play a VCD on my HTPC (running Kubuntu 9.04) using MPlayer ("Seek error"), VLC or Xine. I also can't copy the CD (using either K3b or a low-level dd copy (only copies 1.4 MB to the ISO)). I don't have any problems playing it in my hardware VCD player though. Does anyone know of such copy-protected VCDs, and if there's a way to copy them anyway?

Thanks!It might not be copy-protected. A lot of VCD's are terrible quality, the lens might not be able to read it.

Could you try a different drive?

[Ghitulescu]

To my knowledge a VCD cannot be protected.

However, since VCDs are [still] widespread in Asian countries, a lot of info might be found in their fora. People say that Indian VCD are deliberatelly pressed with defect sectors, however the SAPs play them while PC drives have problems.

in addition:
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/2956
http://www.videohelp.com/forum/archive/got-vcd-with-some-copy-protection-t267844.html
http://www.videohelp.com/forum/archive/copy-protection-for-vcds-t99396.html
http://club.cdfreaks.com/f80/making-copy-protected-vcd-79364/

[w1n73rmu7e]

Yes, this is an Indian VCD. I'm able to play it fine in a upconverting DVD player purchased here (in the US), but not in any of the 3 computers/4 drives I tried (so I don't think it's a drive issue). I'll check out some of those links and see what comes up. Does anyone know if SlySoft AnyDVD can circumvent intentionally defective VCD sectors? I'll have to boot up Windows and give it a shot if that's a possibility.

[tetsuo55]

I'll have to boot up Windows and give it a shot if that's a possibility.Reading VCD (correctly) requires a special driver, i don't know if one exists for linux.

The k-lite codecpack for windows installs the required files for reading VCD

[880]

Try DD Rescue:
http://www.forensicswiki.org/wiki/Ddrescue

[Sharktooth]

Reading VCD (correctly) requires a special driver, i don't know if one exists for linux.

The k-lite codecpack for windows installs the required files for reading VCD
linux is much more flexible than windows and doesnt require any driver to read a VCD...

[tetsuo55]

linux is much more flexible than windows and doesnt require any driver to read a VCD...
All it requires is reading ability for CD-ROM/XA Mode 2 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD-ROM_XA), which my linux distro does not seem to have by default (gentoo)

I still think the laser is not picking up the disc correctly (which happens on thousands of drives, most modern dvd drives are incapable of reading them) Dedicated CD drives often have no problems.

[w1n73rmu7e]

Drivers aren't the issue here. I can read other VCDs, and more importantly, there's an error when I try to dd the disc.

[Ghitulescu]

have you tried a CD-ROM (it should be MultiRead)?

[hktc1990]

Your can try *SPAM LINK REMOVED* to gear the DAT file out.
In 2000 i also copy the VCD with the same error, but at last i copy it the dat file with vcdgear.
hope it can help you.

[Ghitulescu]

Your can try *SPAM LINK REMOVED* to gear the DAT file out.
In 2000 i also copy the VCD with the same error, but at last i copy it the dat file with vcdgear.
hope it can help you.

http://www.vcdgear.com/download.html