Rented Blu-Ray movies, rules on temporarily copying it?

[QuantumRand]

My Blu-ray player is a media PC. The problem is that the Blu-ray software (PowerDVD) doesn't detect my HDTV as an HDCP compliant device. I'm absolutely certain that it is (it's a 2011 Vizio Flat Penel), and from what I've researched, it seems that it's a known problem with PowerDVD ever since version 7 that they don't seem to care to fix. It'll start playing the movie, but then immediately stop and claim that my system isn't capable of Blu-ray playback.

I recently rented a Blu-ray and when I tried to play it, it didn't work, as usual. Does anyone know the legality behind ripping it temporarily to watch it? Would that still fall under fair use?

Alternatively, does anyone know a way around the HDCP issue?

[Ghitulescu]

It's definitely not fair use. And the fair use concept applies only to US and few other countries.
Give it back and ask for a refund (if they fall in for it :) because the playback on PCs is not guaranteed).

Revert PowerDVD BD to a version that has not this bug (if it's below 7.3 you might lose the multi-channel audio).
Change the player (software).
Change the player (hardware). ;) For less than 100€ you can have even a 3D one.

[QuantumRand]

Well I am in the US, so fair use would apply to me.

My thinking is that by renting the movie, I take temporary ownership of it. I was kind of hoping that it would be ok to have a digital copy so long as I am in possession of the movie itself (deleting it before returning the movie).

My Blu-ray drive is new and up to day, supporting both BD+ and 3D Blu-rays. I think 3D is nothing but a stupid gimmick, though, so I don't really care about that.

I have PowerDVD 9, but I'm not sure how I'd be able to downgrade or upgrade. Everywhere I've looked, they want to charge me at least $50 for their crappy software. As great as Blu-rays look on screen, it is a HUGE headache getting them to work.

Edit: Two new questions:

1. Would streaming directly from the rented disk using MakeMKV be any less illegal than temporarily ripping it? Technically it's still ripping it, just in smaller pieces at a time.

2. It looks like AnyDVD HD might actually be able to fix my problem. It lists that it'll allow BD playback on non-HDCP connections; can anyone confirm that's true? At $90 it's really expensive, though, and it's pretty ridiculous to have to pay that much just to get the software I've already paid for to work. Any chance there are some coupons out there?

[nibus]

AnyDVD HD would do the trick. But maybe you'd be better off seeking a PowerDVD update.

[QuantumRand]

AnyDVD HD would do the trick. But maybe you'd be better off seeking a PowerDVD update.

Yeah...I'm just not all that keen on sinking another ~$50 into PowerDVD when there's still no promise that the updated version will work.

[Ghitulescu]

Well I am in the US, so fair use would apply to me.

My thinking is that by renting the movie, I take temporary ownership of it. I was kind of hoping that it would be ok to have a digital copy so long as I am in possession of the movie itself (deleting it before returning the movie).

Again, fair use is a different story. Try private use or private copy instead ;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use#Common_misunderstandings

You only received the right to watch it, furthermore in restricted conditions (like you can't invite the whole neighbourhood :)). You don't own even the plexi disc as such (because you rented it and you have to take it back).

Technically, using a ripper for a temporary copy may alleviate the HDCP symptom. ANd it seems to be the only technical solution if you can exercise the other options in time (other SW, other HW).

[diogen]

Alternatively, does anyone know a way around the HDCP issue?Since you are already half-way to the "dark" side by playing it on a computer :p, you
owe it to yourself to make the last step and clean the stream off of the DRM. All of it.

And never ask how legal it is to copy a rented disc. Regardless of intentions.
This is the most black-and-white area in the grey space of (private) optical disc backup...

Diogen.

[Guest]

We don't provide help to "backup" rented materials.