Do you look to remove copy protection from DVDs? Does HandBrake DRM removal work? How to copy protected DVDs in Windows 10 or Mac? Is there any DVD copy protection removal software available on PC? Yes, definitely! There are many free DVD rippers able to copy protected DVDs for an easy watching of DVDs. Follow me to take a close look at them and familiarize yourself with how to bypass DVD copy protection on DVD.
Part 1. Basic Knowledge of DVD Copy Protections
There are many ways to encrypt files, among which copy protection is one of the best keys to DVD lock. With lots of DVD movies on hand bought from local stores, flea markets, or even online stores, like eBay or Amazon, you probably want to play them on your laptop or DVD player but only to find that these DVDs are either DRM encrypted or region code locked.
Currently, there are many kinds of DVD copy protections that stop users from copying a DVD for distribution or commercial use, some regular and some advanced. In this part, I have collected all the DVD copying protections for your reference, and give you the most effective way to remove copy protection from DVDs. Next is a list of DVD copy protections, let’s dive into them right now.
1. Region Code
Region code means a DVD disc is only available in some special areas ruled by a code, aiming to control the DVD release and its price. In order to break through this limit, you have to remove copyright protection from DVD. That’s called DVD copyright removal process. On the contrary, discs without region coding are called all-region or region 0 discs, which are under no restriction. Here is the area each Region code number represents:
Region code 0: The informal term of its DVD copy protection means ‘worldwide”, is not an official setting, and bears no flag set or region 1-6 flags set. You don’t need to find any DVD copywrite remover for this region code.
Region 1: This DVD copy protection mainly stops the illegal use of a DVD in Canada, the United States, U.S. territories, and Bermuda.
Region Code 2: This copy-protected DVD has a playback limit in Western and Central Europe, Western Asia, Egypt, Japan, South Africa, Swaziland, the United Kingdom, Turkey, French overseas territories.
Region Code 3: This DVD copyprotection is targeted at Southeast Asia, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
Region Code 4: You cannot copy or rip DVDs with such copy protection in Australia, Oceania, Central, and South America, the Caribbean, Mexico
Region Code 5: This DVD copy protection takes effect in Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Africa, Central, and South Asia, Mongolia, and North Korea.
Region Code 6: DVDs with this copy protection cannot be played in China and Hong Kong.
Region Code 7: This DVD copy protection is reserved for future use. Some screener copies of MPAA-related DVDs and media copies of pre-released in Asia have been encrypted with this protection.
Region Code 8: This copyright is widely used for international venues like cruise ships, aircraft, etc.
Region Code All: There are 8 flags set in this DVD copy protection, make a disc playable in the special locale on any player.
Is there any way to remove region code from DVD? Of course, You can remove DVD copy protection and rip DVD to hard disk or ISO with Passkey for DVD, or decrypt DVD and copy DVD to computer or hard drive with DVDFab DVD Copy.
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2. Region Code Enhanced (RCE)
Region Code Enhanced refers to a retroactive scheme to prevent playing DVD from one region in another region, which is also known as just “RCE” or “REA”. If you want to rip a DVD and decrypt REC, DVDFab DVD Ripper is the best free choice to rip protected DVDs. As for how to rip copy protected DVD free and easily, you can try to convert ISO to MP4 with this ripping program.
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3. Content Scramble System (CSS)
Content Scramble System, an abbreviation for CSS, refers to a Digital Rights Management (DRM) scheme applied on almost all commercially released DVDs. Introduced in 1996, it aims for preventing DVD video from being illegally copied, distributed, and viewed. So to copy a DVD disc, CSS protection removal is the first step you’ll have to proceed with. To remove live DVD CSS, Passkey for DVD is of great help. Or, you can rip CSS-protected DVD to MP4 with HD Decrypter. This free software can also remove copy protection from DVD Mac, and Windows and it helps you transfer copy-protected DVD to computer as well.
4. User Operation Prohibition (UOP)
User Operation Prohibition, an abbreviation for UOP, refers to a digital rights management scheme applied on DVD video discs that prohibit viewers from performing a large majority of actions. If users are attempting to make changes to this kind of discs, it would present you with relevant copyright notices like FBI warnings. In order to remove copyright from DVDs like UOPs, find a DVD recorder copy protection removal. DVDFab is safe to do this, I promise.
5. Sony ARccOS Protection
Sony ARccOS Protection refers to a copy protection system developed by Sony. Designed as an additional layer working in collaboration with Content Scramble System (CSS), ARccOS deliberately creates corrupted sectors on the DVD when users are trying to copy a DVD. You can complete the DVD encryption removal with the best decrypter.
6. Analog Protection System (APS)
Analog Protection System, also named Copyguard, refers to a DVD copy prevention system which is originally developed by Macrovision. If users are trying to copy DVDs with APS protection, they would find out that the copied become garbled and unwatchable. In order to avoid this trouble, go and find DVD protection removal software in advance.
7. FairPlay
FairPlay, developed by Apple, is a digital rights management (DRM) technology built into the MP4 file as an encrypted AAC audio layer, aiming to protect copyrighted works sold through iTunes Store, and it only allows authorized devices to play the content. To copy protected MP4 files with this encryption, removing copyright from DVDs shall be given first priority.
8. CPRM/CPPM
The next DVD copying protection, CPRM/CPPM, short for Content Protection for Recordable Media or Pre-Recorded Media, stands for a mechanism employed for restricting the copying, moving and deletion of digital media on a host device, such as a personal laptop, or DVD player. Find a DVD copywrite remover to eleminate it. And if you also want to decrypt recorded 4k blu-rays, there is also a program recommended.
9. High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP, DVI, and HDMI)
HDCP, short for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, refers to a scheme of digital copy protection developed by Intel Corporation to prevent copying of digital audio & video content, including DisplayPort (DP), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), and High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), etc. It can be eleminated by a DVD DRM removal tool.
All right, we’ve listed 9 different kinds of DVD copy protections for your reference. I’m sure you‘ve understood the different schemes that might cause different copying or ripping errors when you try to reproduce the DVD content. In other words, if you want to remove copy protection from DVDs, all these types of DVD copy protections are the ones you should bear in mind when looking for right solutions.
Part 2. How to Remove DVD Copy Protection?
Now, let’s start to seek the best software to remove copy protected DVD. Based on the level of DVD copy protection, I have divided it into two types: Regular and Advanced. Follow me to explore how to remove DVD copy protections with HandBrake and Passkey for DVD, respectively.
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2.1 Remove Regular DVD Copy Protection with HandBrake
Let’s start with copying copyright DVDs with regular protection. And the first DVD copywrite remover to rebut is Handbrake. How to copy protected DVD with it? Before that, see the main features of this open-source DVD ripping software.
Operating System: Windows, Mac, and Linux
Pro:
Free and open source
Rips DVDs and converts video files
Can queue up multiple conversions
Includes ready-made presets
Con:
Can’t remove DVD copy protection
Can Handbrake rip copy-protected DVDs? I am sorry to tell you: NO. Then why are there so many people who search for “HandBrake rip DVD copy protection” online. One of the assumptions is that Handbrake was used to be free DVD copyright removal software in the past, but it no longer rips copy protected DVDs now. But as a DVD ripper, HandBrake still works to rip a DVD without encryption. How to remove DVD copy protection with Handbrake? Ask for a third-party decrypter called libdvdcss, which literally stands for lib (library) + dvd (DVD) + css (Content Scrambling System), to access and unscramble DVDs encrypted with CSS protection.
How to remove DVD copy protection using Handbrake? Install libdvdcss to remove DVD copy protection first. Libdvdcss can decrypt not only DVDs with CSS encryption but also some other similar copy protections. With Handbrake, you can watch movies with your laptop at any time. Next, we would show you the simple steps on how to remove copy protection from DVDs with Handbrake.
Step 1: Download DVD Copy Protection Removal Software
Here comes the 1st step to remove DVD copy protection with Handbrake: install Handbrake. You could go to its official website to make DVD copy protection removal software free download of the right version matching with your system.
Step 2: Download Libdvdcss
As we mentioned above, Handbrake needs to remove copy protection from DVDs in collaboration with a third-party tool called libdvdcss. Therefore, you are required to download and install libdvdcss by searching “libdvdcss” on Google and download it as instructed.
Step 3: Open the DVD Source
Launch Handbrake on your laptop, and then click the “Source” button on the top left corner to load the source after you put the DVD disc in your drive. Libdvdcss will read and remove copyright protection from DVD automatically.
Step 4: Make Source and Destination Settings
Remove DVD copy protection and rip part or the whole DVD. Select the title you’d like to rip from the drop-down menu, then press “Add to Queue” button to add your selected title to your ripping list. How to choose multiple titles? Just add them to the queue one by one, and don’t forget to set a destination directory.
Step 5: Select the Output Format
Choose an output video format from the list.
Step 6: Start to Rip copy protected DVD
Click on the “Start” button to let Handbrake remove copy protection from DVD on your computer. During the ripping process, the regular DVD copy protection shall be bypassed and disabled.
2.2 Copy Protected DVDs with DVDSmith
Let’s start with the compatibility of this DVD Copywrite remover – DVDSmith,
Operating System: Windows, Mac
Removable DVD Copy Protection: Regular DVD copy protections like CSS, RC, RCE, APS, UOPs and Sony ARccOS.
Pro: Rips DVDs and converts video files
Con: Can’t handle DRM and some advanced copy protections
DVDSmith Movie Backup, created by DVDSmith, works as good DVD copyright protection removal software. This program can decrypt and remove DVD copy protections and help users to rip the entire DVD movie to hard drive. With DVDSmith Movie Backup, users could copy protected DVDs in just a few clicks, either the full movie or main movie. Besides disabling DVD copy protections, it allows users to select audios and subtitles.
Steps on How to Copy Protected DVDs with DVDSmith Movie Backup
Step 1: Download and install the right version matching with your computer operating system.
Step 2: Then, you need to launch DVDSmith Movie Backup and then insert the DVD movie disc into your movie drive.
Step 3: Choose backup mode to copy the movie either with Full Disc (with bonus features) or Main Movie (without bonus features) mode. This program will detect and remove DVD copy protection later.
Step 4: Choose the drive location in the drop-down list where the DVD is inserted, and remember to set a directory for the backup files.
Step 5: Last, you can click “Start Backup” button to start the DVD copying process after all settings are done. During this process, DVDSmith, this free DVD copy protection removal software shall automatically bypass and remove DVD copy protections like CSS, Region Code or others. Upon the ending of the copying process, you can check the output folder for the backed-up movie file.
Note: regarding the copying speed, you could make it quicker by selecting different Copy Methods from Normal, Lowly Enhanced or Highly Enhanced. Certainly, the latter you choose, the more time it requires.
2.3 Remove Advanced DVD Copy Protection with Passkey for DVD
However, when it comes to some advanced and latest copy protections, Handbrake and DVDSmith might not be able to decrypt and remove all the time. What’s more, many might find it troublesome and inconvenient to install libdvdcss. In this case, you might need a good and more powerful Handbrake or DVDSmith alternative to do the job. That way, DVDFab Passkey for DVD would be a nice choice.
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Operating System: Windows
Removable DVD Copy Protection: Almost all known DVD copy protections like CSS, Region Code, RCE, APS, UOPs, ARccOS Rip Guard, etc.
Pros:
Rips DVDs into folder or ISO files
Work with 3rd party software to copy, rip and convert the disc video.
Keep updating to meet the latest encryption tech and copy protections
30-day free trial
Con:
Can’t handle DRM and Cinavia, not free.
Constantly updated to deal with the new DVD copy protections, DVDFab Passkey for DVD has been tested for countless times to be more powerful than any other similar software on the market in all aspects. This best DVD copy protection removal software, a Windows-based driver that works on-the-fly, never stops being updated to catch up with the latest DVD protections, and offer users the latest decryption technologies and features. Having a DVD can’t be decrypted on hand? Try this following solution.
How to use DVDFab Passkey for DVD
Follow the steps below to decrypt DVD and rip DVD to hard disk or ISO Image file.
Step 1: Install DVDFab Passkey for DVD
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Unlike Handbrake DVD copy protection, which requires a third-party tool to decrypt a few copy protections, this DVD copy protection removal software allows you to decrypt almost all known DVD copy protections. Install it and click “Start DVDFab Passkey”.
Step 2: Insert the DVD or Blu-ray source into the Drive
Insert DVD/Blu-ray into the drive, DVDFab Passkey shall remove the protection automatically after analyzing it, then presents you a general info relevant to the removed protection.
Step 3: Play or Work with other Software
Then, feel free to use other DVD or Blu-ray playback, or copy and ripper software to back up the DVD/BD content.
2.4 How to Remove Cinavia from DVD?
Even the above three great solutions would prove futile when it comes to Cinavia Removal. For the Cinavia removal method, you need a dedicated tool. For Cinavia, working to prevent DVD copying through the detection of watermark recorded into the analog audio of media such as theatrical films and DVD or Blu-ray discs. Different devices or firmware might cause problems like muted audio or suddenly stopped playback.
To remove Cinavia, you need a dedicated DVD Cinavia removal software Like DVDFab DVD Cinavia Removal. Now, with this Cinavia removal software, the backup discs are completely Cinavia-free and won’t be interrupted during the process of playback by any Cinavia error message on any Cinavia enabled DVD playback devices, such as the PS3 and certain home DVD players. After removing the audio track planted with Cinavia watermark, DVD Cinavia Removal will produce a comparatively lossless AC3 audio track in replacement.
Here Are the Simple Steps to Remove Cinavia from DVD:
Step 1: Download and Installation of DVD Cinavia Removal
To download DVDFab DVD Cinavia Removal, just click the two buttons below, one is for Windows, the other macOS;
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Step 2: Navigate to Copy > Main Movie Mode
During the process of DVD reading and analyzing, this Cinavia removal software shall select the audio track from the audio section which is embedded with Cinavia watermark automatically. Remember to slash across the Cinavia logo to make sure to disable Cinavia.
Step 3: Start Conversion
The last part is to start conversion to back up the Cinavia-clear DVD disc. But don’t forget to select a directory before you click the “Start” button.
Part 3. Extension: How to Remove Blu-ray Protections?
As currently, the movie industry and studios have been releasing new movies of Blu-ray or even 4k UHD version. DVD might sometimes become kind of outdated for the image resolution and quality. Then some users might ask, talking so much about DVD copy protection removal, how about removing Blu-ray protections? Don’t worry, if you are in your search for a good way to disable copy protections from Blu-ray, we have a good recommendation for you: DVDFab Passkey for Blu-ray, the brother of Passkey for DVD.
The copy protection removal method is very similar to that of Passkey for DVD as we mentioned above. 3 Steps would have your Blu-ray removed of copy protection once you insert the Blu-ray disc into the drive. Besides, you can also rip the decrypted Blu-ray to hard disk or image for your later use.
With this powerful Blu-ray software, you could save newly released DVDs like Sleeping Beauty, Iron Man, Parasite for enjoyment anywhere and anytime, a real bliss for home theater enthusiast. Next, we are going to conclude this article with some frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQ 1: What specific Blu-ray copy protections can Passkey for Blu-ray remove?
Removable Copy Protections: all known BD+ copy protections including the newest 15th generation BD+ and 3D BD+, AACS MKB v 26, and AACS bus encryption, Region Code, BD-Live, and UOPs for Blu-ray, with the only exception of Cinavia, which you are going to need a dedicated tool to disable. By the way, if you aim to upscale video from 480p to 1080p or from 1080p to 4K, you can try out another AI upscaling program, DVDFab Enlarger AI. It will convert DVDs to 1080p videos and rip Blu-rays to 4K videos for home play.
FAQ 2: How can I choose from the 3 DVD copy protection removal software?
If you are going to remove regular DVD copy protections like RC, RCE, UOP, you can go with Handbrake or DVDSmith to remove it for free. If you need an advanced tool that constantly updating to meet the new copy protection demand, you’d better to choose a powerful one like DVDFab Passkey for DVD. Although it’s not for free, it offers you a 30-day free trial period, and could catch up with the ever-changing need for new DVD copy protections with a strong technical team.