SlySoft releases AnyDVD HD beta

It seems that DRM just can't catch a break these days. First the all-important processing key required to unlock and decrypt HD-DVD and Blu-ray discs was discovered, now just days later comes news that the folks at SlySoft have updated their AnyDVD "backup" software utility to allow for "on the fly remastering" of HD DVD discs, although not Blu-ray discs. As you might expect, they aren't exactly spilling the details on exactly how they achieved this considerable feat, although those that have tried out the beta software are reporting that it works as advertised, with copying HD DVDs a matter of a simple drag and drop. While the software is available as a free beta download for now, SlySoft's existing AnyDVD software is far from free, meaning you'll likely have to fork over the same fifty bucks (or $100 for SlySoft's complete bundle of apps) for the new HD-ready version once they've gotten all the kinks worked out.

[Thanks, Oliver]

[daddycool @ Feb 14th 2007 6:54PM]

It's not "backup" software. The main function is letting you play region coded discs. I use it on my Media Center for that and for skipping over the unskippable BS they try to make you watch. It's well worth it. They update the program like every two days. If one movie comes out that it can't play they update it. It also let's you rip unrippable CD's. Awesome app. Don't hate.

[peteer01 @ Feb 15th 2007 12:04PM]

daddycool @ Feb 14th 2007 6:54PM

It's not "backup" software. The main function is letting you play region coded discs. I use it on my Media Center for that and for skipping over the unskippable BS they try to make you watch. It's well worth it. They update the program like every two days. If one movie comes out that it can't play they update it. It also let's you rip unrippable CD's. Awesome app. Don't hate.

Region coding would be a valid argument if HD DVDs had any region coding to speak of. There is no region coding on HD DVDs.

[Tom Kelleher @ Feb 14th 2007 7:31PM]

I just have to ask... how can people charge you for software that illegally breaks copy protection?

[c.Lake @ Feb 22nd 2007 8:16PM]

@Tom

Somebody has to design the software, genius. It takes a lot of effort to counter-act all that useless crap they place on every Commercial DVD. Duh! Or should I simply re-purchase all the movie I already own, for my iPod, PSP, cellphone, etc.

(Maybe you're one of those idiot MPAA floggers)

[bgdc @ Feb 14th 2007 7:33PM]

Agreed about the quality of slysoft. I have slysoft for many things - converting my DVDs to MP4s is one reason. Sure makes a flight nice if you can watch movies/tv shows the whole time.

[Dee @ Jun 18th 2007 4:35PM]

Can you please confirm that this software converts DVD's into MP4's? I am working on a website that we take out TV Show make it into an IPOD, MP3 and MP4 and upload them. The quality of the show now is poor and very tiny. I want the show online to be of much better quality and a good size. Will this digitize the show to watch online like this? Thank you for your help. Dee

[bgdc @ Jun 19th 2007 3:33AM]

Dee, yes slysoft's got the ability to convert DVD videos into MP4s. I've got a bunch of my favorite shows on dvd and then converted them to mp4s to watch them on my ipod.

[Mike @ Feb 14th 2007 7:36PM]

Tom: It's not illegal to break copy protection... It's illegal to sell/duplicate copyrighted material for profit (or loss to the copyright holder)...

[matt t @ Feb 14th 2007 7:41PM]

mike...it's called the DMCA...look it up

[Jonathan @ Feb 14th 2007 8:09PM]

Hint: The DMCA isn't a global law or did you think Slysoft was an American company?

[Tomsky @ Feb 14th 2007 8:10PM]

I don't think the DMCA is enforceable in Antigua...
And you thought offshore companies were all about money laundering!

[Brandon @ Feb 14th 2007 7:43PM]

Sorry Mike, it is illegal to break the copy protection :)

[duncan @ Feb 14th 2007 7:57PM]

re: but not Blu-Ray yet

Gee... wouldn't it just be sinister (almost too smart) of Sony to support this to get the studios concerned about their support of HD DVD FIRST (yes, I realize Blu-ray has also been cracked but is not supported yet...).

[solomon @ Feb 14th 2007 8:29PM]

The handiest thing is being able to play HD DVD movies over component with a non-hdmi card. It's awesome to have to buy software like this to make HD DVD do what it's suppose to do.

[Hardcore @ Feb 14th 2007 8:29PM]

DRM = PWNED!

[Jeff @ Feb 14th 2007 8:33PM]

Whether or not breaking encryption is illegal is a sticky legal matter that has plenty of precident on both sides. The DMCA is questionably constitutional anyway.

Mike has the right idea about how things *should* work. And that's pretty much the law in Canada actually.

[BSW @ Feb 14th 2007 8:35PM]

I think I'm finally cool with their $50-100 price tags.

This is very much in violation of more than one clause of the DMCA. Luckily, the DMCA is and always has been vastly over-rated, basically a complete pile of BS.

Say what you will for our Pres, but I like our chances in the Supreme Court on this one, and hopefully the AnyDVD guys can afford an half-literate lawyer to once and for all rid us all from those shackles.

[tekdroid @ Feb 15th 2007 8:56AM]

Say what you will for our Pres, but I like our chances in the Supreme Court on this one, and hopefully the AnyDVD guys can afford an half-literate lawyer to once and for all rid us all from those shackles.
---------
This isn't slavery. It's entertainment. You don't have to buy into the format. In fact, if you think so lowly of it, the best thing you can do is ignore it completely. Do not invest a dollar into it.

[Paul @ Feb 15th 2007 1:30AM]

AnyDVD is not an American company

please quit idiotic questions and comments that are directed as if it was an American company that fell under American law

[Nick @ Feb 15th 2007 6:39AM]

$50 sounds like a bargain to me.

[johnnyg0 @ Feb 15th 2007 9:09AM]

Without AnyDVD I just couldn't watch DVD's on my TV from my PC because of the stupid encryption, the image would get from really dark to really bright every 15 seconds. AnyDVD fixed it. The MPAA should thank Slysoft as if it wasn't for them, I NEVER would've bought ANY DVD! (no pun intended:))

[Mile @ Feb 15th 2007 10:36AM]

As I recall, the way the DMCA is written DVD players themselves are illegal because they decrypt encrypted content.

Anyway, though SlySoft may not be breaking their local laws, I would think any US Citizen purchasing and using the software might be in violation of DMCA. I mean if you can't even legally discuss it, I imagine that using software to get around it is even worse.

[bgdc @ Feb 15th 2007 4:45PM]

There's nothing illegal about porting a DVD set you own into MP4s so you can watch them on your iPod. now if you resold the DVDs or made the MP4s available online - that'd get the attention of the feds.

[psxp @ Feb 15th 2007 10:46AM]

ha ha foolz... the world does not only comprise of Just America!

[Ian @ Feb 15th 2007 1:46PM]

SlySoft products are excellent. I chuckle at all the folks who hassle with the freeware rippers with their piles of buttons and obscure options. AnyDVD is drag and drop and it works. I use to copy DVDs to my media server for use with Media Center. I use it for region free DVD playback. I use it on DVDs that I have purchased. Now maybe I'll get an HD-DVD drive.

[Weedeater1 @ Mar 9th 2007 11:31AM]

Freeware, shareware, and noware takes more time and energy than using AnyDVD. Many of my DVD's are PAL format and would not play her in the states. AnyDVD took care of that problem in a heartbeat (make that 14 minutes). Yes it removes trailers, and the dreaded FBI warning, but why wait the additional 10 minutes to see the movie you want to watch now! SlySoft programes are a 1 year at a time deal. Not bad considering I reformated my PAL disks, and old PAL & NTSC VHS encoded tapes through my computer into something worth watching again. You do not have to buy it to enjoy it (free demo of AnyDVD is available at SlySoft)