DRM for Quicktime files?

[thedoubles]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone had any suggestions for placing DRM restrictions on files made by Quicktime Pro, such as .mov files. Windows makes it so easy to put requirements on files to limit distribution, but Apple seems all but reluctant to do so unless it's with their own iTunes files. Any suggestions?

[Dravyk]

Got suggestions, but I don't think you'll like them. :(

As far as I see, you have two options only:

- You either need a custom-made, expensive, proprietary solution.

- You need use Windows Media format, and not QuickTime.

Did a quick look. Not only do none of the DRM services handle QT (because it has none) but a look through the search engines only talk about (as you said) people trying to crack Apple's own DRM, but no where is there the ability for folks other than Apple to use it.

[Newton]

http://www.quicktiming.org/tutorials.php might help but havent tried drm on quicktime, although it is now supports mpeg4 with h264.

[Dravyk]

http://www.quicktiming.org/tutorials.php might help but havent tried drm on quicktime, although it is now supports mpeg4 with h264.This sounds confusing as hell to me.

It says there with using Live Stage Pro (and I'll break this up into two paragraphs):

This particular script relies on the Movie Annotation field for the Host Computer. This makes it easy for anyone with QuickTime Pro to change the host URL that the DRM track is comparing against. While that might seem counter to our wanting to protect the movie, it does make this a usable widget that can be added to any QuickTime movie to protect it.

Once you’ve set the Host Computer annotation, just select the copy protect checkbox when you save the movie. Or if the movie is embedded in a web page, just set the parameter kioskmode to true. Either of these will prevent changes to the annotations from being saved thereafter.Now either the second paragraph is countermanding the first one and it does protect it. Or the first paragraph is correct and even the things done in the second paragraph will not protect it.

Any idea which is which? Cause it seems to contradict itself -- just can't tell which way it's contradicting! http://oprano.com/msgboard/images/smilies/blink.gif

[Newton]

Either way drm has been cracked by various hardcore hackers for quicktime allegedly .. I believe they are still using a product called Fairplay for imovies and itunes ? Its supposed to be embedded at a system level and you need to insert their widgets into the sytem, then comply with clicking the options for copy protect and / or kiosk mode

[Newton]

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/technologies/h264/

[thedoubles]

H.264 looks impressive, but I still don't see a way to slip some DRM into the outputted file. Your regular porn operation doesn't have access to a system like Fairplay, so I'm hoping there's a program or method out there to enable us to copy-protect our files. Nothing yet, eh?

[Newton]

I would contact apple directly and hope they can respond favourably .. here are a couple of links which might help as well but I dont know of a reliable drm product for apple.

http://www.mikeindustries.com/blog/archive/2005/01/macworld-january-2005

http://discerning.com/topics/audiovideo/video_encoding.html

[thedoubles]

Yeah, I've talked to Apple already, and they told me they didn't know either, and to search on Google. :)