Few issues in computer science have attracted as much attention and debate as copy protection, which has led many individuals to ask how the system actually works. Older analog devices would make use of a video blanking signal to keep cassette recorders from duplicating a program, but this stopped working as soon as stabilization modules made their way onto the market. Modern copy-protected Blu-Ray services will include what’s essentially a small bootstrap loader filled with software that has to be read through each time the disk gets inserted.
According to the group of individuals who offer copy-protected Blu-Ray services, this code stops any compliant recording device from duplicating the disk. While it’s possible that someone could develop a way to circumvent this, it’s far more difficult to do so than it would be to get around the copy protection found on something like a VHS tape or a conventional laser disc. Doing so would require a certain amount of hardware refactoring as well as the development of cracked disc authoring software.
Small businesses that produce their own materials won’t normally have to worry about this, but area copy protection advocates have been putting together more sophisticated ways of dealing with the problem in case it becomes more of an issue in the future. They’re also working on new coatings and other technologies that help protect discs against more mechanical sources of damage.
Find out more about specialty copy-protected Blu-Ray services by visiting Chromavision online.