Screenpass lock

[srfscenar]

Hi all,

does anyone have any experience with SONY's Screenpass security for DVD/BD?
Is it for both DVD and BD? I have been told that it requires a special authoring procedure but I do not know any details.

Anyone care to share some?

Thanks!

[oglaf]

Screenpass for DVD is just ARCcOS renamed. The requirements for this process are confidential, but I believe it involves leaving extra space on the disc.

Screenpass for Blu-ray is an entirely new process that was developed at Sony and then spun off. The requirements for this process are also confidential, but I believe it can encompass both HDMV authoring and BD-J/BD-Live programming if that is present, and involves adding content to the disc.

[srfscenar]

Thanks Oglaf!
It is indeed a matter of extra space.
I'll try to contact Sony to get some more info regarding authoring process.

Thank you!

[rik1138]

If it costs money to use Screenpass, and you have a client asking about it, advise them not to bother. It's an easily broken protection that can be defeated within hours of the disc being released (if it's not defeated instantly), so it's not worth paying for...

If it's free, and they want the illusion of 'peace of mind', then go for it. :)

I always advise against pay-for-use copy protection on DVD or Blu-ray, since they are always cracked within hours of release (and 'release' usually means from advance copies weeks before street date, so the discs are copy-able when they go on sale). Not worth the hassle, expense, and possible player compatibility issues for something that is, essentially, useless...

[srfscenar]

Well, I couldn't agree more. I too advise them not to bother and always explain how easy it is to copy anything digital but on the other hand the client has always right! All we can do is advise, after that it's their decision- problem! Thanks rik!

[rik1138]

Yep, I know exactly how that goes! :) I'm not always successful at talking them out of it either, all you can do is provide them with the information and see where it goes.