Round one goes to the hackers: BackupHDDVD rips open AACS

You know how we were all waiting on someone to figure out where AACS was hiding those dagnab private keys? BackupHDDVD seemed to work as advertised, but it needed access to the hard-coded "Volume Unique Keys" that unlock the encryption of each HD DVD disc. Well, the friendly folks at Doom9's Forum finally tracked down that elusive key in memory, and have already started leaking keys for a few HD titles, including nerd-fave Serenity (which has quickly made its way to the torrents), Peter Jackson's King Kong, and the ever-popular 12 Monkeys. It's still unclear at this point how HD DVD's key-revocation technology will affect HD DVD players and their users, and currently there a few playback issues with the ripped HD movies, even on fast machines. Still, it sounds like the hackers won't have too much trouble replicating their success, even if they lose a few ripped keys or even HD DVD players in the process to big bad MPAA, and we're guessing playback issues will be eventually sorted.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Ryan Smith @ Jan 13th 2007 12:15PM]

This is so great not because I want illegal movie copies, but because it shows how stupid copy protection is. The more DRM you put on a disc, the more people are going to work to break it. It's a loosing battle. All of this stupid HDCP, and soon people will be ripping the disc directly anyway.

[Zadillo @ Jan 13th 2007 12:24PM]

Indeed.

Really, the whole HDCP thing is still mindblowing to me. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that people are going to find a way to hack it, make copies of HD content, etc. But in the meantime, it seems like the primary people HDCP is going to cause problems for is consumers who legitimately buy protected HD content and then find they can't play it, because some component they have doesn't display it.

It's like everything else. Selling DRM'd music and movies basically just limits what the people who actually buy the stuff can do; the people who pirate that same content of course don't ever have to worry about DRM.

[Tonicboy @ Jan 13th 2007 12:29PM]

First of all, this news is weeks old. In fact, Engadget reported on it two weeks ago!!! http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/27/aacs-drm-cracked-by-backuphddvd-tool/ Furthermore, it doesn't even crack AACS, it just compromises the keys, and AACS was designed to be able to easily invalidate keys. Guess who reported on this as well? You got it, Engadget!! http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/03/what-exactly-does-backuphddvd-do-oh-and-version-1-0-is-release/

Sheesh guys, this is freaking amateur. Your own damn editors are tripping over themselves.

[Robert Andrews @ Jan 13th 2007 12:40PM]

Actually sir, they are posting it again because in the other posts, they were trying to find the memory where the keys are stored. Now they have found the memory location and are going for extraction for all discs.

[Marshall @ Jan 13th 2007 12:47PM]

Not true.. IIRC, AACS supports 2 keys, a player key and a "Disc" key which seems to be more static at the moment. This method is using the Disc key, which as far as I understand it, is not revokable. Though it is possible that they will use several "masters" in the future therefore requiring you to test several different Disc keys before your rip will work.

[Karl @ Jan 13th 2007 12:55PM]

As mentioned in the two replies preceding mine, this is a large step forward. They are extracting the volume unique keys from system memory. These keys are part of the disk, not the player.

The only possible threat is that this version of PowerDVD is blacklisted (that's the key revocation thing there), and a new version is released. However, now that we know the code for some disks, we know what to look for in any newer versions of the software. So using this on future versions shouldn't be a problem.

I'm looking forward to ripping my movies in HD. You could probably make a good 720p copy on a DVDR-DL or maybe even a normal DVDR.

[Molly C @ Jan 13th 2007 4:53PM]

But why would one need keys for "all discs"? If you're only interested in "fair use", you'd only need keys for your own discs (for "backups" I guess; I don't know that other "fair use" this helps). That they're doing this for all discs and distributing the keys over the net, and putting unencrypted video over bit torrent tells me that "fair use" isn't the issue; piracy is.

HD-DVD = dead.
Long live Blu Ray (I actually preferred HD-DVD, but whatever.)

(HD-DVD might survive is Blu Ray is also cracked and/or the industry revokes all software player keys so that software players are no longer an avenue for hacking so that future discs are compromised.)

[dave @ Jan 13th 2007 12:52PM]

Tonicboy is making fool of himself on the internet.

[What The @ Jan 13th 2007 12:54PM]

To anyone saying AACS isnt cracked, there is the full version of Serenity for HD-DVD being spread all over the internet right now that says otherwise. Probably a bad thing to happen to a format thats in a format war against a company who already has 90% of hollywood, and the first 3 movies to get released (King Kong, Serenity and 12 Monkeys) are in fact, UNIVERSAL titles, which is hd-dvd's only exclusive movie studio.

So how soon till we see King Kong on blu-ray? I guarantee if it does not happen soon, a Blu-Ray ISO image, ready to burn onto a blank blu-ray disc version will show up instead. Universal, don't be jeopardizing your fine software by releasing on HD-DVD, release on Blu-Ray, end the war, and lets get back to what we all love, High Def movies.

-Peace

[Karl @ Jan 13th 2007 12:57PM]

Haha, good point on the Universal titles.

Maybe they'll start demanding HD-DVD royalties as well :P

[JeffNLA @ Jan 13th 2007 12:59PM]

What The - the Serenity HD copy on the net was probably taken of HBO-HD broadcast transmission.

[farshad @ Jan 13th 2007 1:06PM]

this whole hd-dvd being "cracked" will have a TEMPORARY boost in hd-dvd sales...then once you dont have to buy them to get them...good bye hd-dvd

[What The @ Jan 13th 2007 1:20PM]

JeffinLA

You are retarded. Its the full HD-DVD version with HD-DVD menus and all the SD extras from the disc. Its a completely decrypted version of the hd-dvd in everyway. It is not a satellite in MPEG2 or H.264 from europe, this is the real deal.

[Tim @ Jan 13th 2007 1:23PM]

AACS is shared by Blu-Ray and HD DVD. I believe the only reason we are seeing HD DVD movies on the internet first, is before of the $200 Xbox 360 DVD Player. This has given people a relatively inexpensive way to add HD DVD to your computer which is why people are breaking AACS on this format first. Once Blu-Ray drives drop in price, you'll see those movies posted on the Internet as well. This is bad press for studios looking to use HD DVD as their format of choice, but anyone who thinks about for more than half-a-second should be able to see that this is a problem with both next gen formats.

[DamageZone @ Jan 13th 2007 1:40PM]

Blu-Ray uses AACS yes, but it also has 2 seperate layers of security on top of that, so Blu-Ray cannot be ripped right now until someone cracks those two layers. This only affects HD-DVD for now.

[Vanillacide @ Jan 13th 2007 3:18PM]

Neither of which is being used at the moment, in fact, specs aren't even defined for ROM-Mark yet. Furthermore, ROM-Mark is designed to stop mass-production 'duplication' of discs not ripping.

[hemmy @ Jan 13th 2007 1:41PM]

Blu-ray has additional layers of protection as I understand it, perhaps giving it an edge, perhaps not.

I don't think AACS is cracked, still. They found a way to extract the keys from/with PowerDVD or whatever, but AACS itself is still unbroken.

[Karl @ Jan 13th 2007 6:38PM]

that is an important point.

Even Vista's BitLocker uses AACS. It's a strong encryption method, and very difficult to break. Just because it's been broken on HD-DVDs, doesn't mean it's broken on BluRay and BitLocker and every other implementation, too.

[monmin @ Jan 13th 2007 2:05PM]

Hmmm... Some people are saying this is wonderful because it shows how dumb copy protection is.

Then some people say Blu-ray is not impacted by the hack at all because it has additional layers of copy-protection.

So, what is the message studios get here? Is it that copy protection is dumb, or is it that hd-dvd didn't have enough copy protection?

[Aaron @ Jan 13th 2007 2:06PM]

Obviously this will kill HD-DVD sales...

because when DVD was cracked that format failed...

oh. wait.

[Ted Brown @ Jan 13th 2007 2:36PM]

"Obviously this will kill HD-DVD sales... because when DVD was cracked that format failed...oh. wait."

You're an idiot. There was no competing format when DVD was cracked. Right now we have two formats, one of which has support from 90% of the studios. The other one is quasi-cracked, and the movies are starting to be distributed across the internet. If you were a big wig of a huge Hollywood studio, would you continue to release movies on the format that has been cracked? Even if the other format will be cracked eventually, it still has lasted longer than the other one. Even if piracy did help the sales of HD-DVD, that is not how the big movie studios think.

Once Universal signs on with Bluray, we can kiss this stupid format war goodbye. But oh no, the evil Sony corporation will have won. And of course we can't have that.

[Kyle Kennedy @ Jan 13th 2007 2:06PM]

"What The - the Serenity HD copy on the net was probably taken of HBO-HD broadcast transmission."


Indeed. I've had Serenity, Saving Private Ryan, Episode 3, King Kong, and Sin City in 720p for a few months now, that is the logical explanation.

[JeffNLA @ Jan 13th 2007 2:08PM]

What The - I call BS on that one.

[JeffNLA @ Jan 13th 2007 2:09PM]

Even worse - you have a ripped copy with all the menus and extras - TOTAL BS!!!

What did you play it back on?

[Christopher @ Jan 13th 2007 2:13PM]

While this is great.. downloading HD Movies is not going to be mainstream for awhile. This will only be great for people who wish to back up on those new Terabyte drives.

[Sqube @ Jan 13th 2007 2:16PM]

I have to laugh at people who say that this clearly means that Blu-Ray is superior. Blu-Ray just hasn't been cracked YET.

If HD-DVD were to die tomorrow, and Blu-Ray become the only game in town, do you really think everyone would just throw up their hands and say, "Oh well, it was nice while it lasted"? Of course not.

Using this as an argument that Blu-Ray is superior because it has more layers of (completely pointless) encryption is like saying your cell phone is better because you have more fake diamonds on it.

The lesson that MPAA morons should be getting is that the only people being affected by all this encryption are the people who aren't interested in breaking encryption in the first damn place. The people who want to break it are going to, and the people who don't want to break it are being massively inconvenienced.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm of the opinion that alienation of the people who buy your stuff, in the long run, is a very poor idea. They've forgotten that they're ultimately answerable to the consumer and, one of these days, the consumer might just bite back where it counts.

[Aaron @ Jan 13th 2007 5:14PM]

Let's not forget HD-DVD also has the porn industry on it's side now.

[Joe Davenport @ Jan 13th 2007 3:15PM]

I am confused why any consumer would prefer more copy protection. I am also guessing that many "Blu-ray is the best!!" posters do not own either HD player.

HD-DVD is a great format, the players are cheaper and there are more movies available. HD-DVD initially had a sales leads because of the 1080i player matching 1080i sets. Now they are both 1080p and your only real difference is that HD-DVD is less expensive and slightly less storage capacity for bonus material.

HD-DVD is a better name for the less-informed consumer too.

[Al @ Jan 13th 2007 6:15PM]

@Joe Davenport - I agree that the consumers don't want anymore layers of DRM but when it comes down it, the consumers are not the one who makes these decisions. The big corporates are in it to make money and they will fight for the best protection they can get even if it means losing some customers. If all the companies decide that HDDVD is less secure than Blu-ray, they will obviously look at Blu-ray more closely and then if they decide to release the next big movie eg. 'Pirates of the Caribbean 3" only on Blu-ray, obviously full of DRM, will people simply decide not to buy it? I guess the bottom line is that consumers do have a say but not always the final say.

I live Australia so I can't speak for the whole market but everywhere I go, I see more Blu-ray players than HD-DVD players... in fact, I'm still looking around for a HD-DVD to compare. So from my perspective, Blu-ray is winning the format war here.

[Dave @ Jan 13th 2007 3:17PM]

The torrents are in all over the place already...

[What The @ Jan 13th 2007 3:38PM]

The studios are not worried about 30 gig files that you cannot even burn yet to a blank hd-dvd disc. The US has too crappy a internet and its super complicated. Their main concern is the big Chinese pressing houses that bootleg dvds all day and night. They can do HD-DVDs on the same lines with a little modification, and WILL do it now that it is available.

And Rom-Mark is already in effect, its actually a chip that plugs into the pressing box and hard codes the key onto the press during the image process. No Rom Mark chip plugged in, no way to press discs. Very simple. So yes, Blu-Ray IS protected for the long run, HD-DVD left itself wide open with its pants down.

Also, all you pro hd-dvd guys, do you not realize that Microsoft is only in it to try and sabotage Blu-Ray? They dont give a CRAP about hd-dvd, they never have. But they wanted the next gen format race to become crap and never take off so that people would give up and go to downloading HD movies using Microsoft's VC-1 Codec. That is their #1 objective. If HD-DVD were to win tomorrow, microsoft would drop them like a hot potato. Would would you want to be on the side of a propaganda machine thats #1 objective is to destroy media on discs? You really need to open your eyes and see WHY microsoft is basically running HD-DVD now.

[MEX86677 @ Jan 13th 2007 3:51PM]

"HD-DVD left itself wide open with its pants down."

Yes and bent over... With a tube of lubricate in their hand, and a tatoo "Welcome on board".

[hemmy @ Jan 13th 2007 5:33PM]

The porn industry hasn't sided with HDDVD. Vivid is still supporting Blu-ray. Also some news about Sony (of course, only a certain group of "fanboys" would say "Sony") saying no to porn has been debunked. Firstly, the BDA collectively makes decisions about such matters, and lastly, from the horses mouth:

"There is not a prohibition against adult content," said Marty Gordon, vicechair of the BDA US Promotions Committee and vice president of the Philips Electronics Hollywood Office. "The BDA welcomes the participation of all companies interested in using and supporting the format, particularly those from the content industry. We look forward to working with any content providers interested in providing their audience with [the] best possible high definition home entertainment experience."

[tservo @ Jan 13th 2007 11:44PM]

@Karl - BitLocker uses AES, not AACS.

[Karl @ Jan 13th 2007 6:44PM]

No, Microsoft is not supporting HDDVD because of VC-1. BluRay has it, too.

Microsoft is supporting it because they couldn't endorse one of the big selling points of the PS3. If they did, they'd be saying "BluRay is great technology and we think it'll win the format war." An XBOX360 + HDDVD drive costs more than a PS3, so people might go for the PS3. Besides, then they can throw that "pro choice" rubbish around.

[Arbee26 @ Jan 13th 2007 9:21PM]

@Karl - if MS went with Blu-ray wouldn't that negate Sony's advantage? I mean, if both consoles have Blu-ray then Sony can't argue that the PS3 is better because it's the only solution for a cheap HD player. I'll still probably get a PS3 but if the XB360 has Blu-ray I'd think about it for a second player later on.

[PreGHz @ Jan 14th 2007 1:05AM]

But could Microsoft produce a Blu-Ray drive for 200 like they did the HD-DVD drive?

Maybe the decision to support HD-DVD was twofold.

Also, people who say that the AV industry supports HD-DVD isn't exactly right. But you also have to consider that the AV industry isn't the deciding juggernaut it once was. Its main opponent right now is the internet.

Not as many people buy adult entertainment hard copies like they once did. That matters.

[allban @ Jan 14th 2007 12:01AM]

"What The - the Serenity HD copy on the net was probably taken of HBO-HD broadcast transmission."


"Indeed. I've had Serenity, Saving Private Ryan, Episode 3, King Kong, and Sin City in 720p for a few months now, that is the logical explanation."

This is not the case, the serenity offered are 1080p vc-1 and weighs in at 19.6gb. and are true hd dvd copy.

[PreGHz @ Jan 14th 2007 1:08AM]

I don't want to break any rules here, but I gotta say that I can't find this so called torrent.

Can anyone point me in the general direction?

[pika789 @ Jan 14th 2007 3:03AM]

Just Spotted Superman Returns HD-DVD in the wield

usenet

[PreGHz @ Jan 14th 2007 3:37AM]

Is usenet even worth it?

[Keyth Halloween @ Jan 14th 2007 4:07PM]

Actually, Sony's not restricting adult content (porn), but the companies that are equipped to make Blu-Ray discs are refusing to accept contracts from adult film companies because they don't want to scare of other customers. So no, it's not Sony's fault in the wide view, but it still results in the same thing: Nobody who is equipped to mass-produce Blu-Ray will take a contract to produce porn.

Hacking is bad for HD-DVD because it will scare some of the movie companies, who may perceive it as a threat to their studio's profits in HD-DVD. Of course, Blu-Ray will get hacked, too, so we'll see what happens after that.

Personally, I prefer HD-DVD. It looks far better (VC-1 wins hands down) and was cheaper for me to get into ($200 for the 360 add-on, and as my 360 was a prize, $200 was my total price to get into HD-DVD). I'm also not fond of Sony's shoehorning a format into the public every couple years in their attempt to get control of a whole market. HD-DVD is supported by the DVD forum, while Blu-Ray is just a challenger that is trying steal the market away. It's always like this with Sony; They don't care about the quality of the product as long as it gives them control over consumers.

[Robert Vitalis @ Jan 14th 2007 6:07PM]

how many 25GB movies are really going to be torrented?

[richard @ Jan 15th 2007 1:39PM]

Copy protection is just like a lock on your bike. Locks are in place only to keep the honest people honest. If you put a master lock on your bike, you know that is just as easy to cut the lock with bolt cutters or use brute force to guess every combination, or take a oxy-acetylene torch and cut it. The lock is there so that people just passing by dont take the bike. If some one is determined enough to take it the lock wont stop them.

Copy protection on HD-DVD and Blu-ray is the same, someone found a pair of bolt cutters to cut the lock off HD-DVD, it doesnt mean that the same wont happen for blu-ray or that hd-dvd is dead because of it. just my 2c.

[Anticrawl @ Jan 26th 2007 2:52PM]

For those of you who clearly have no idea why Microsoft decided to back HD-DVD(you know, besides the whole Toshiba/NEC thing) you should really read up on this whole subject. Words came straight from the horses mouth that he believed this "format war" is meaningless with great technology in storage and connection speed on the horizon. He basically stated their backing HD-DVD to ensure the format war is a futile one and hopefully have neither one a victor. With both formats a failure and costing the consumer a great deal of time and anguish they would move on to the next big thing. Full digital distribution, which will coincide perfectly with the integration of those 1-16t holocards that are about as big as a credit card and will cost the consumer no more than 1 dollar per blank card.

Anticrawl