Macrovision
is working on version 7 of its CDS 300 DRM protection system for audio CDs
and claims that its alpha testing stage has reached 99% effective at blocking the 15 most popular CD rip and copy tools. This version adds errors to the audio, which means that if the user does manage to rip the audio, the resulting tracks would contain random noise.
The company
also claims that their Autorun software used in previous CDs generations is not spyware despite what many people claim. The new software now asks for permission to play the CD in Windows Media Player, which in turn installs the anti-ripping hidden driver. The new software will allow a limited number of 'fair usage' copies where the copies are protected to prevent further copying, however European releases will not allow any copying.
Macrovision is also working on Mac version to prevent Mac users from ripping their CDs, but aims to give the same playback limitations as with PC. Finally as their new system adds errors to the audio, certain DVD players and portable CD players will not be compatible with these discs. Quakester2000 and GristyMcFisty both submitted the following news via our news submit :
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CDS 300 was launched earlier this year and like older versions blocks access to the CD audio, 'Red Book' portion of a disc when it's played on a PC. Instead, PC users are provided with compressed audio files, currently in Windows Media format (at 192Kbps on the test pressing we saw), on a data portion of the disc. While Macrovision initially provided its own playback software, CDS 300 ties into Windows Media Player. CDS 300 relies on Windows' auto-run feature to fire up WMP, but as has been well documented elsewhere this can be bypassed by holding down the Shift key, which in turn stops the software installing code that blocks unauthorised access to the audio session. CDS 300 Version 7, which is currently at an alpha testing stage before going beta next month, has sufficent hardware protection - errors in the data, essentially - to block attempts to rip a protected disc's CD audio session. The upshot, says Macrovision, is that users are forced to used WMP, which invokes the installer. This time round, users are asked if they want to install a "licence" on their PC, but on goes Macrovision's Active Software Protection (ASP) code too, which actively blocks rippers and cloners. To be fair, Macrovision is keen to stress that the on-screen installation information admits that ASP is there, but how many users will take the time to read it, rather than dashing straight for the OK button, we wonder? The company is also at pains to point out that ASP isn't spyware, particularly having seen so many claims that its previous-generation CDS-200 system installed that kind of code. It didn't - it just installed a player application. It's SunnComm's MediaMax C3 system that installs a driver to block ripping. However, be they right or be they wrong, spyware/malware/virus claims are going to be levelled at Macrovision when CDS Version 7 ships with its ASP installer. Read the full rather lengthy article here. |
It seems like Macrovision has had it with users choosing to bypass their software with the shift key. It is not clear how car-stereo's will react to these CDs since these tend to be the pickiest as many CD car stereos are based on CD-ROM technology to buffer up audio to prevent skipping.
Finally, this alpha version is currently not 100% effective as software that supports forward error correction such as iTunes and Exact Audio Copy can correct the errors these CDs contain, assuming the CD/DVD drive supports FEC.
Feel free to discuss and find out more about copy protection measures on CDs on our Copy Protection Discussion Forum.
Source: The Register - Internet & Law
