Encrypted HDTV/DVD Copies

[Whizzard9992]

I want to build an HTPC, but I've been really discouraged with my research so far. Maybe someone hear can clear some things up for me.

I have 2 kids, so my DVD's don't last. Also, I work a lot and between work and the fam I can't be chasing down the HBO schedule if I want to watch a movie. Also, I don't care to distribute or download movies: honestly I could do that without all the hassle of an HTPC if I really wanted to. I'm not interested in an overpriced DVR for obvious reasons.

I envision pulling up a remote control or wireless keyboard, picking a movie / show from something on the screen I've recorded previously or copied from a DVD so I don't have to fumble DVD's or chase schedules. Everything I've read so far tells me I'm living in a fantasy world if I think that will EVER happen 🙁🙁🙁

If they can have DRM for MP3's, why not MPEG2 (or w/e the HDTV format is)? Are they working on it? Do they have it and I missed it? Is there any LEGAL way to copy my DVD's to my HDD? Is there any way I can record HBO to my HTPC in the near future?

I have no interest in OTA TV. If I can't record quality shows/movies, or even store my DVD's, what good is an HTPC for? (Not sarcasm: what would it be good for? Just OTA?)

It seems as of late, if it's not in the constitution, it's not freedom. Bootleggers have been around since the VCR, so why is it all of a sudden such a big deal? When it comes to distribution, anything they come up with will be cracked in 6 months anyway, so why are they making it so hard on the 8723598345897345 people paying for this stuff????? I'm not into distributing or DL'ing cracks, but I'll gladly download/encourage the crack so I can watch the movies/content I pay for. Arent' they encouraging this mindset??

:x :x :x :x

 

[bigbadwolf]

oh man hav u heard of HDCP? thats the new DRM for the nightmare future that sony and hollywood and all that lot hav planned for us. Ya see those corporate boneheads hav made it so that in order to watch HD-DVD(or HDTV) content on ur pc when it finally comes out you need a HDCP compliant monitor, a HDCP compliant graphics card, and a HDCP compliant Operating System. So in other words since no monitor's, graphics cards or OS's that are out now support HDCP you will have to buy a new one of each if ya want to watch these new HD-DVD's that r comin out. as if it isnt bad enuff already lol, all the people who hav paid like £1500 for a HDTV might aswell not have bothered, coz it wont even support HDTV content. also alot of video chip makers are statin that there chips are HDCP 'combatible', but that doesnt mean they are HDCP 'compliant', that is upto the board manufacturers not the chip makers. they are crooks these twits in hollywood and sony etc, coz now ordinary people who hav bought stuff legally might hav wasted there money. stick to normal DVD until they crack this HD-DVD and HDTV copy protection, then u will know ur not wastin money on crap that wont work.

 

[MadCraiZ]

The reason you can't capture HDTV from your cable box yet is because of copyright concerns. If you can record movies from PPV or Premium channels at higher quality than DVDs...why would anybody buy DVDs any more?

As for DVD ripping...that's doable. There's a program called DVD Decryptor that will let you rip a DVD. 2 Hour movie takes about 30 min and 3-6 gigs of HD space. If you have a large movie library and a not so large disk array, you can get AutoGK to convert your files to xvids without sacrificing that much quality, knocking file sizes down to the 1-2 gig range.

I'm actually in the process of ripping mine and my brothers DVD collections so he'll have something to do in Iraq.

 

[Whizzard9992]

The reason you can't capture HDTV from your cable box yet is because of copyright concerns. If you can record movies from PPV or Premium channels at higher quality than DVDs...why would anybody buy DVDs any more?

People did it with VHS for years 🙁 Why do they feel the need to change all of a sudden?

I used DeCss back in the day. I had a SCSI DVD Reader, so I was able to rip like a champ. That was when the P3 800 was the processor of-choice, so compression and storage were both a problem 😉

Thanks though! I just wish I could enjoy my premium purchases conveniently AND legitimately.