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Goodbye SlySoft and AnyDVD

Damn. I honestly haven't used it in awhile (haven't bought many brds recently to rip to my NAS), and don't know what the last version I have is. What a great deal the lifetime license was when I bought it years ago. Great software for legitimate users. It will be missed.
 
I use MakeMKV and Handbrake for my ripping (of my own movies). Although, I'm strongly considering switching to Ripbot as it supports distributed encoding, which is huge if you have extra computers lying around.

As for AnyDVD, I did consider using it instead, but it was just so expensive in comparison. :\
 
I use MakeMKV and Handbrake for my ripping (of my own movies). Although, I'm strongly considering switching to Ripbot as it supports distributed encoding, which is huge if you have extra computers lying around.

As for AnyDVD, I did consider using it instead, but it was just so expensive in comparison. :\

It wasn't that expensive with the lifetime license.
 
It wasn't that expensive with the lifetime license.

AnyDVD HD? Last I looked (years ago), it cost around $100-120 during a sale for the lifetime license. It was cheaper if you didn't want the lifetime software, but given the constant upgrading of AACS protection (especially in Disney's releases), you need the upgrades.
 
They should gpl it, and release a torrent.

Distributing the software isn't the problem. There are already torrentable copies of the software.

The problem is that Slysoft were THE BEST at breaking optical media DRM. Every time Blu Rays came with a new AACS version (usually on huge blockbuster releases) Slysoft had it cracked within two weeks. Most everyone else in the industry then followed the path Slysoft blazed. The current version of their software won't unlock future disks.

If they aren't in operation anymore, then bye bye fair use of ripping discs you have bought to your mediaserver. Others will try to fill in the gap, but they frankly aren't as talented. And if Slysoft can be taken down that puts a target on Ripbot or Makemkv as well.

Heck I didn't even use Slysoft's tools but I paid the subscription to support the work, to support being able to copy my disks as I see fit. With them gone that paints a very bleak future for those of us who would rather roll our own on-demand system with Kodi or Plex vs paying for someone else's limited walled garden (Hulu, Netflix, etc.).

In fact I would go so far to assume that it might take years to crack 4K Blu Rays now that Slysoft is gone. Videophiles might actually have to slide back into the 1990's and manage disks if they want to get the best picture quality they can on their 4K tvs.

The end result will be more piracy, as that will be the only way to get digital copies of movies without DRM. Which then might paint a target on software like Plex/Kodi, as they won't have a legitimate use case (kinda like how the head shop claims all the pipes are to smoke tobacco). This could be the beginning of the end.
 
Distributing the software isn't the problem. There are already torrentable copies of the software.

The problem is that Slysoft were THE BEST at breaking optical media DRM. Every time Blu Rays came with a new AACS version (usually on huge blockbuster releases) Slysoft had it cracked within two weeks. Most everyone else in the industry then followed the path Slysoft blazed. The current version of their software won't unlock future disks.

It was implied that the source code would be released also. Individuals may not do as well, but it's better than nothing, and I'm sure some cracks would get developed.
 
It was implied that the source code would be released also.

Which is great for the development of open source Blu Ray software, but it doesn't help those of us wanting to rip new disks that are released.

Individuals may not do as well, but it's better than nothing, and I'm sure some cracks would get developed.

The future answers aren't in the current software source. From what I understand Slysoft cracked new DRM schemes by forcing poorly programmed "official" Blu Ray software to operate in a way to force buffer overflows that then put the volume keys in places they could get to. They did all this work because they got paid to do it.

Will someone still try without the financial benefit? Sure, but it will take longer for DRM to be broken. That is sad.
 
Pure speculation on my part but, is anyone aware of any changes that would suddenly allow great legal pressure on SlySoft now that hasn't existed for the past decade? They seemed pretty insulated until now...

If not, it makes me wonder if the cost of development finally started to exceed cash inflow due to a dwindling number of new customers and/or incoming cash due to lifetime licenses. Possibly they just cut anchor and sailed off with the profits.
 
Pure speculation on my part but, is anyone aware of any changes that would suddenly allow great legal pressure on SlySoft now that hasn't existed for the past decade?

http://www.techeye.net/business/hollywood-asks-us-to-save-it-from-a-court-case

Also:

after an user criticized the Antiguan CEO of the company Giancarlo Bettini by writing, “Thanks Mr. Bettini for being such a wimpy moneybag!”, the team member writes, “I regret you that, but you are wrong. SlySoft is under massive pressure since 2007. From Web Sheriff over Irdeto, US department of Justice to AACS-LA. He resisted for many years. More than anybody else. So please, be fair.”

http://www.myce.com/news/slysoft-is-gone-forever-78664/
 
First, Microsoft kills Windows Media Center so I can't watch TV on my computer if I upgrade to windows 10 and now I can't rip a disk? I really liked my setup where all my media was going through my PC. Now I'm going to have to use a Comcast DVR and buy a blu-ray player and be forced to use the other inputs on my TV.

I have a lifetime subscription to AnyDVD.
 
First, Microsoft kills Windows Media Center so I can't watch TV on my computer if I upgrade to windows 10 and now I can't rip a disk? I really liked my setup where all my media was going through my PC. Now I'm going to have to use a Comcast DVR and buy a blu-ray player and be forced to use the other inputs on my TV.

I have a lifetime subscription to AnyDVD.

There is always DVDFab Passkey!
 
First, Microsoft kills Windows Media Center so I can't watch TV on my computer if I upgrade to windows 10 and now I can't rip a disk? I really liked my setup where all my media was going through my PC. Now I'm going to have to use a Comcast DVR and buy a blu-ray player and be forced to use the other inputs on my TV.

I have a lifetime subscription to AnyDVD.

Yup. We are watching the media HTPC slowly die.

Which sucks when you consider the fact that Steam has gaming HTPCs in the best place they have been.
 
Yup. We are watching the media HTPC slowly die.

Which sucks when you consider the fact that Steam has gaming HTPCs in the best place they have been.

I wouldn't count it out. I recently read an article about how the FCC is creating rules about allowing any device to be used as a cable box.
 
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