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There is, it's available from the DVD FLLC. A Japanese firm where Sony is one of about 10 shareholders. But beyond perhaps some logo usage rules or guidelines,

There is, it's available from the DVD FLLC. A Japanese firm where Sony is one of about 10 shareholders. But beyond perhaps some logo usage rules or guidelines, the existence of the format spec isn't necessarily the word of god, so to speak. Sony has been implementing intentional errors in their DVDs for many years. On the one hand it likely has increased the annoyance factor in ripping those DVDs and therefore somewhat decreased the prevalence of ripping, but on the other hand you have cases like the OP where the standard use case is also hindered to the level of annoyance.

burgerbrain 16y ago
"On the one hand it likely has increased the annoyance factor in ripping those DVDs and therefore somewhat decreased the prevalence of ripping" Hahahaha... oh wait, you were serious. let me laugh harder. hahahahahahahahaha Seriously though, every single movie released in recent years you can possibly imagine has been ripped and uploaded. What exactly has decreased in prevalence?
- OpieCunningham 16y ago
  You're not really putting much thought into this are you? Firstly, there's a difference between ripping a DVD and downloading a pirated movie. More importantly, DVD ripping is far, far from a mainstream activity as evidenced by the tens of millions of DVDs that are still sold every quarter. The reason it is not mainstream, like CD ripping is mainstream, is because of DRM. Anti-DRM measures are not built into operating systems or the most prevalent player applications. The studios regularly mount legal challenges, many of which are successful, against application developers that do build in anti-DRM measures. The result of all of this is that the vast majority of users do not have the tools necessary to rip DVDs. For some portion of those users who become inclined to try it, they can find a tool that does - and then they can encounter Sonys ever evolving intentional error DRM strategy whereby the tool the user has no longer functions and either needs to be updated (assuming the often fly-by-night developer is still around) or replaced. Effectively, the annoyance factor is increased enough to dissuade the casual DVD ripping user from continuing with the activity. Hence, intentional errors has increased the annoyance factor in ripping DVDs and therefore somewhat decreased the prevalence of ripping.
  - arohner 16y ago
    It's been a few years since I tried to rip a DVD, but there are plenty of tools in standard linux distros that have a single "click to rip" button.
    - OpieCunningham 16y ago
      I don't include Linux in my definition of mainstream.
      - burgerbrain 16y ago
        The majority of such programs are cross-platform.
        OpieCunningham 16y ago
        There are no DVD ripping apps distributed with Windows (or Mac, or any commercial packages distributed from the US due to the DMCA which makes CSS circumvention tools illegal). I recognize you want to argue this topic, but seriously man.
        burgerbrain 16y ago
        The legality (or lack thereof in the US) of DeCSS has absolutely nothing to do with publishers making deliberate errors in their pressings. In fact, it's nothing more than yet another reason why comparing the frequency of DVD ripping to CD ripping and drawing conclusions about the effectiveness of deliberately introducing errors in pressings is flawed. Furthermore, I said "cross platform", not "ships from the factory with standard installations". If you don't understand the difference between these... I recognize that you enjoy digging your own grave, but seriously man.
        OpieCunningham 16y ago
        Furthermore, I said "cross platform", not "ships from the factory with standard installations". If you don't understand the difference between these... For your edification, the conversation went like this: Me: DVD ripping is not mainstream in part because tools are not mainstream. Someone: Linux distros have tools Me: Linux isn't mainstream You: Cross-platform Me: No, mainstream You: Cross-platform! So with that I'll let you carry on alone.

burgerbrain 16y ago

"On the one hand it likely has increased the annoyance factor in ripping those DVDs and therefore somewhat decreased the prevalence of ripping" Hahahaha... oh wait, you were serious. let me laugh harder. hahahahahahahahaha Seriously though, every single movie released in recent years you can possibly imagine has been ripped and uploaded. What exactly has decreased in prevalence?

OpieCunningham 16y ago
You're not really putting much thought into this are you? Firstly, there's a difference between ripping a DVD and downloading a pirated movie. More importantly, DVD ripping is far, far from a mainstream activity as evidenced by the tens of millions of DVDs that are still sold every quarter. The reason it is not mainstream, like CD ripping is mainstream, is because of DRM. Anti-DRM measures are not built into operating systems or the most prevalent player applications. The studios regularly mount legal challenges, many of which are successful, against application developers that do build in anti-DRM measures. The result of all of this is that the vast majority of users do not have the tools necessary to rip DVDs. For some portion of those users who become inclined to try it, they can find a tool that does - and then they can encounter Sonys ever evolving intentional error DRM strategy whereby the tool the user has no longer functions and either needs to be updated (assuming the often fly-by-night developer is still around) or replaced. Effectively, the annoyance factor is increased enough to dissuade the casual DVD ripping user from continuing with the activity. Hence, intentional errors has increased the annoyance factor in ripping DVDs and therefore somewhat decreased the prevalence of ripping.
- arohner 16y ago
  It's been a few years since I tried to rip a DVD, but there are plenty of tools in standard linux distros that have a single "click to rip" button.
  - OpieCunningham 16y ago
    I don't include Linux in my definition of mainstream.
    - burgerbrain 16y ago
      The majority of such programs are cross-platform.
      - OpieCunningham 16y ago
        There are no DVD ripping apps distributed with Windows (or Mac, or any commercial packages distributed from the US due to the DMCA which makes CSS circumvention tools illegal). I recognize you want to argue this topic, but seriously man.
        burgerbrain 16y ago
        The legality (or lack thereof in the US) of DeCSS has absolutely nothing to do with publishers making deliberate errors in their pressings. In fact, it's nothing more than yet another reason why comparing the frequency of DVD ripping to CD ripping and drawing conclusions about the effectiveness of deliberately introducing errors in pressings is flawed. Furthermore, I said "cross platform", not "ships from the factory with standard installations". If you don't understand the difference between these... I recognize that you enjoy digging your own grave, but seriously man.
        OpieCunningham 16y ago
        Furthermore, I said "cross platform", not "ships from the factory with standard installations". If you don't understand the difference between these... For your edification, the conversation went like this: Me: DVD ripping is not mainstream in part because tools are not mainstream. Someone: Linux distros have tools Me: Linux isn't mainstream You: Cross-platform Me: No, mainstream You: Cross-platform! So with that I'll let you carry on alone.