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Thread ID: 75474	2006-12-30 10:22:00	Firms Probe High-Definition DVD Hack	GetReal (11664)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
511110	2006-12-30 10:22:00	Firms Probe High-Definition DVD Hack Reuters 30/12/2006 Gina Keating The companies behind an encryption system for high-definition DVDs are looking into a hacker's claim that he has cracked the code protecting the new disc's from piracy, a spokesman for one of the companies said . A hacker known as Muslix64 posted on the Internet details of how he unlocked the encryption, known as the Advanced Access Content System, which prevents high-definition disc's from illegal copying by restricting which devices can play them . The AACS system was developed by companies including Walt Disney Co, Intel Corp, Microsoft Corp, Toshiba Corp and Sony Corp to protect high-definition formats, including Toshiba's HD-DVD and Sony's Blu-ray . Muslix64 posted a video and decryption codes showing how to copy several films, including Warner Bros' "Full Metal Jacket" and Universal Studios' "Van Helsing," on a popular hacker Internet blog and a video-sharing site . The hacker also promised to post more source code on January 2 that will allow users to copy a wider range of titles . A spokesman for one of the AACS companies, who declined to have the company identified, said they were aware of it and were looking into the claims, but would not elaborate . The vulnerability could pose a threat to movie studios looking for ways to boost revenue as sales of standard-format DVDs flatten . In 2005, US DVD sales generated some US$24 billion for the movie industry . If the encryption code has been cracked, then any high-definition DVD released up to now can be illegally copied using the Muslix64 "key," according to technology experts . Jeff Moss, organizer of Defcon, the world's largest hacking convention, said in an interview that Muslix64 appears to have found a real breach in the encryption system . "Everybody is talking like it worked, and apparently it's not that hard," said Moss, whose annual convention draws thousands of security researchers, government workers and hackers . "This will be the first trial run of how this (AACS) is going to work whenever a compromised player comes out . " Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, a UK-based technology expert and author of Internet blog PC Doctor, wrote in a Thursday posting on technology site ZDNet . com that Muslix64's source code "seems genuine enough . " He said the hack would not necessarily make much of a difference in the battle for supremacy between the new HD DVD and Blu-ray formats . "What's interesting here is that while this hack might give HD-DVD a temporary advantage amongst enthusiasts who want to backup disc's . . . in the long run it won't give either format an advantage because both HD-DVD and Blu-ray use the now cracked AACS," he wrote . Warner Bros . is a unit of media conglomerate Time Warner Inc and Universal Studios is part of NBC Universal, controlled by General Electric Co . God these humans are *Drongos* . A good start would be hardware HD-DVD decryption using 256 bit AES in real time with a decent buffer - The key could be stored on the hardware chip . The cost for this could be incorporated into the price of the player/recorder . A second chip in the player/recorder could limit copy's to 1,before the key becomes invalid . Obviously the hardware would need to be connected to the Internet,in order to obtain a new key for further titles that you wish to copy for your own personal use . This system would be self - updating and in constant contact with the studios .	GetReal (11664)
511111	2006-12-30 11:19:00	Check out the High Definition test here at engadget: www.engadget.com More information here from hacker muslix64: forum.doom9.org BackupHDDVD V1.00 software here: zavlakas.googlepages.com	GetReal (11664)
511112	2006-12-30 12:33:00	There's already a post about this in the pressf1 section of the forum.	beeswax34 (63)
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