THANK-GOD THAT SOMEBODY RAISED THIS TOPIC!!!This is a fundamental problem that we should NOT have to deal with at all. I have more problems with legitimate DVDs that I buy than any of the illegitimate ones. (Yes -- I have bought 'fake' DVDs in places where you simply cannot buy 'real' ones.) To be honest, 'fake' DVDs work far better than 'real' DVDs.
Best bet is to buy a cheap DVD player and plug it into the TV (they are really very cheap these days).
-Carol Haynes
No disrespect to you Carol, but that's a piss-poor solution. These guys are supposed to publish their product in a format that is a standard. If it doesn't work, then it doesn't work. Buying a new DVD player is simply far too much to expect from the consumer. e.g. "Oh, it didn't work in the brand A DVD player? Then just buy a brand B DVD player." Rinse. Repeat. Not good.
If it is a DRM issue you could try the TV manufacturer's website - sometimes they issue firmware updates to cure this sort of problem (assuming the support page is still there). Alternatively phone/email the manufacturer and see if they can send you a firmware update.
-Carol Haynes
Again, same issue. Why should the consumer need to fart around with this kind of thing?
Most DRM works by introducing out-of-spec data into the DVD's layout. The DRM relies on the ability of most DVD players to be able to gracefully recover from these errors and keep playing your movie. Unfortunately, some players will choke on these shenanigans & the problem is only getting worse.
The DRM peddlers keep getting farther and farther out of spec in an attempt to curtail disc duplication & it's having the unwanted effect of a greater number of players are unable to process their way through the error-riddled mess.
Cost of your player has nothing to do with it, either. Sony DVD players, which are usually some of the priciest, have the worst results with heavily-laden DRMed titles because Sony players adhere to the DVD data spec very closely.
Usually when I run across a title I know has a lot of DRM I'll run it through AnyDVD first before watching it & I usually have a better experience not to mention not having to sit through all those un-skippable segments at the beginning of the disc.
-Innuendo
DRM for DVDs is simply very, very, very broken. Not just broken, but totally f**ked.
I have some movies that I bought in an expensive DVD set that I have not been able to watch for several years. I got sick of it the other day and I downloaded a 'pirated' version of them. Now, I already 'own' copies of them in a boxed set that I bought at retail, but because of the idiocy in the DVDs, I can't watch them. i.e. The product is broken and doesn't work.
Did I break the law? Well, I simply don't give a s**t. I am sick and tired of being f**ked by paranoid d**k s**t a$$holes that would rather f**k their good customers than put up with a small amount of piracy.
Should I feel guilty for 'stealing'? Nope. In fact, I feel that they owe me for the inconvenience of having to download 'pirated' versions to view content that I already paid for.
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new rant below...
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Now, let's go on a new rant...
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iTunes and crap like it. If you "buy" a video there, you are encumbered by their DRM (which essentially makes it useless), and on top of that, if you lose it, you're hosed. iTunes will not allow you to download content that you already paid for. You lose it? You pay for it again. No time limits. No download count. Nothing. You're f**ked.
DRM is f**ked.
Raping customers is f**ked.
I am sick of companies that treat their customers like s**t.
DISCLAIMER: All of my personal information as to who I am is publicly available. I do not hide. I do not pretend. I am not a wanker like so many of these 'lawyered-up' wankers are. If anyone wants to sue me, go ahead. I will retaliate in ways that make your grandchildren cry.
