Alpha-DVD protection on new DVDs [Archive]

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FreaQ

27th January 2006, 11:11

So there is a new candidate in the race for worst copy protection ever: Alpha-DVD (http://www.settec.co.kr/eng/pro_alphadvd.htm) from Settec.

When you insert the DVD in your PC drive, it tries to install a little Software, which wants to control playback. To uninstall the software you must have the original DVD and you have to mail Settec for an uninstaller and an uninstall key.

Some users at forum.dvdinside.de (german) report, that the software also removes all virtual drives and burners.

To bypass this crap, just turn off your Autorun in Windows.

So far known DVDs:

Mr. & Mrs. Smith - Kinowelt Home Entertainment R2 Germany

Kinowelt mentioned, that all of their future blockbuster releases will be 'protected' with Alpha-DVD and that all the other majors want to use it too.
In addition to Alpha Kinowelt uses Arccoss which causes some players to stutter.
So you have a DVD with CSS, Macrovision, Region Code, Arccoss and Alpha-DVD protection.

So whats next? Someone with a pistol behind you while you watch a movie?

VWRacer

27th January 2006, 15:21

Sounds like a pending lawsuit. Installs their software? Disables drives? I wonder how long it will take someone to override Alpha-DVD?

I can't speak for everyone else, but I create copies to protect my originals from gettting damaged. I don't mind replacing my copy when the kids lose it, or scratch the he** out of it. But having to buy another DVD, for the same reason? No chance. Now another copyguard to make my life more irritating?
Feh!

Racer

vermaccio

27th January 2006, 15:41

When you insert the DVD in your PC drive, it tries to install a little Software, which wants to control playback.

does the software ask for a permission to install or not?

To uninstall the software you must have the original DVD and you have to mail Settec for an uninstaller and an uninstall key.

this is illegal in many countries. my computer is MY computer and you can't decide what i can or what i can't do. I'm FREE to uninstall or to install what i want.Sony has many legal troubles about its rootkit. Is this a similar software or a similar philosophy?

Some users at forum.dvdinside.de (german) report, that the software also removes all virtual drives and burners.

very interesting. they can't do it. illegal. if they damage or modify my pc/my programs they will pay for it, they will talk about it in a tribunal. i see many maaaAAAAaany many legal problems for this company.

To bypass this crap, just turn off your Autorun in Windows.

as usual only low skilled users will be "infected" by this program. we will not have any problem.

guada 2

27th January 2006, 17:47

So whats next? Someone with a pistol behind you while you watch a movie ?
( FreaQ )

Who knows, it is possible :D

SamuriHL

27th January 2006, 17:49

AnyDVD will block this garbage and remove the ArCCOS protection while it's at it. They best not get carried away with tihs crap, though, as like people have said, they will get sued. Right, Sony? :)

FreaQ

27th January 2006, 18:36

does the software ask for a permission to install or not?
It asks for permission to install. But if you say 'No', the DVD will be ejected.

Johnny_Deep_Down_Below

27th January 2006, 20:55

Luckily I never work with Autorun enabled. Anyway, a copy-protection fiddling around in the system is REALLY shitty, this a step too far!

rotty

30th January 2006, 13:35

I know this is going to sound thick, but how do you turn Autorun on and off in XP.
Thanks in advance

SamuriHL

30th January 2006, 16:22

Just download this:

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/tweakui

In the My Computer, Autoplay section you can unselect the drives you want to turn it off for.

unskinnyboy

30th January 2006, 16:29

Alpha-DVD or Beta-DVD, it will be broken, hacked, decimated. It is just a matter of time. Always remember - if it can be viewed, it can be copied.

@rotty, Either TweakUI or read this (http://features.engadget.com/2004/06/29/how-to-tuesday-disable-autorun-on-windows/).

johnhamler1

4th February 2006, 21:28

So whats next? Someone with a pistol behind you while you watch a movie ?
( FreaQ )

Who knows, it is possible :D

what next???:

P2P, and it is free;)

CruNcher

5th February 2006, 17:32

it's a totaly dumb copy protection it doesn't protect from copying but from viewing totaly dumb concept i really wonder if anyone @ Kinowelt has any idea what they bought their lol ;)

FreaQ

8th February 2006, 09:42

The german online magazine Heise did an analysis of the Alpha-DVD protection.

First of all: There are defective sectors in the structure.

Now for that shitty windows part.

If you allow to install that software it will copy three files in your systemroot (cmtl.dat, dmdmgr.exe und hadl.dll).
The exe-file itself gets on different installtion different names ("dmdmgr.exe", "mscomc.exe", "avsys.exe", "win32k2.exe") and hides from Task Manager and ProcessExplorer.
The process scans permantly for "wnsaspi32.dll", "asapi.dll" and "elbycdio.dll".
On the test systems of Heise they caused read/write errors while burning, a completly wasted DVD-RW after burning and heavily reduced burning speed with Data-DVD.

Here are the german articles.
http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/69211
http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/69322

Boiling Ice

8th February 2006, 10:17

Imagine someone gets in your house, eat your food, sleep in your bed, and though out what ever he/she likes without you knowing or behind your back...... that's what this protection is doing.... that's pure illigle sh*t if you ask me.

They don't have the right to install anything on my PC, they have no damn right to remove any virtual drives.... it's my PC, my world, they don't have the right to do anything on it unless I say so.

Thank God, I never have autorun enabled. :D

Amnon82

9th February 2006, 00:27

On the test systems of Heise they caused read/write errors while burning, a completly wasted DVD-RW after burning and heavily reduced burning speed with Data-DVD.

... seems they want to disable the burning produce, so you have problems with any media you want burn on. We should start a list for A-DVD-protected DVDs.

P.S. Germany test this shit. I think if they do it in the USA there will be more troubles for the firms, so they use germany. Everybody knows that the law in germany is slow in excution.

kis2005

10th February 2006, 01:59

It is another reason to make sure we backup our PC, so if we get infected with things like this, we can wipe it from a saved image...don't play without a net.

MikeK

11th February 2006, 14:50

It is another reason to make sure we backup our PC, so if we get infected with things like this, we can wipe it from a saved image...don't play without a net.

Well said.:thanks:

I never had autoplay on.:D

Mike

setarip_old

18th February 2006, 03:24

The following appeared on the SBC-Yahoo website:Robert McMillan, IDG News Service
Thu Feb 16, 7:00 PM ET

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA-- A U.S. Department of Homeland Security official warned today that if software distributors continue to sell products with dangerous rootkit software, as Sony BMG Music Entertainment recently did, legislation or regulation could follow...

Earlier this week security vendor F-Secure reported that it had discovered rootkit technology in the copy protection system of the German DVD release of the Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith. That DVD is distributed in Germany by Kinowelt GmbH, according to the Internet Movie Database.

writersblock29

20th February 2006, 05:06

@setarip_old

Isn't it great watching the monster eat itself? In many ways, the legal issues are far more entertaining than the drek Hollywood's been pumping out lately. It's become a classic case of "the more you look, the less you see" for the MPAA.

setarip_old

20th February 2006, 06:29

In many ways, the legal issues are far more entertainingNot if you're a "little guy" on the receiving end of a lawsuit or threat of a lawsuit...

Episodio1

21st February 2006, 04:48

So with a linux box... is the problem avoided?

Kevinh

21st February 2006, 16:21

In my computer, I right clicked on my DVD drive and then chose the Autoplay tab. I selected the different options and selected "Take no action". I did this for DVD-Video and music, etc. But when I put a DVD in my drive, Dell Media Experience still starts running. Why? Thanks.

Gurm

22nd February 2006, 14:29