[wellylug] MPEG/DVD encoding/decoding.

[Jonathan Harker]

Tim Nicholas wrote:
> Jonathan Harker wrote:
>> JP wrote:
>>> Hi all
>>>
>>> I am looking for options (software or hardware) for
>>> _legally_ doing MPEG/DVD encoding/decoding on Linux. 
>>
>> DVD decryption under Linux cannot legally be done at all.
> 
> Isn't this only illegal because of the DMCA, a law for which NZ doesn't 
> yet have an equivalent? It's not a copyright crime to watch a DVD that 
> you own (you aren't copying it) no matter how you do it.

You'd think.

> What you guys are thinking of is 'No legal way in the US'.
> 
> Of course, I may well be wrong, but that was my understanding.

DVDs are encrypted using CSS. Playing them involves decrypting the CSS first, 
and this is illegal unless you have a licence, which costs money. 
Unfortunately with DVDs, as well as MPEG4 and even encoding anything with MP3, 
lots of big companies own the IP and don't want anyone using it without 
stumping up a bunch of cash first.

Since there is currently no licenced DVD player available for Linux, using 
libdvdcss is exactly like using an illegal Sky decoder. Everyone does it, but 
it's illegal. Let's not even mention the stupid DVD Region scheme.

The only way out I can think of is to try running (using wine) the licenced 
copy of Win/PowerDVD that you got with your DVD drive... good luck with that!
:-)

Cheers,
J