How do I move DRM content from one PC to antoher

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lyonrouge

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#76254 31-Jan-2011 13:55

I'm wanting to move my DRM content (currently on Win 7 laptop) to my HTPC (Vista), what is the correct way to do this? Can I copy over the network? Do I need to use the windows sync tool or something different again. I have content from a variety of vendors, so I'm hoping each vendor does not have different methods.

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#433223 31-Jan-2011 14:22

I think you would just copy the content over manually, and when you try to run the content on the new PC it should ask you to authenticate.

lyonrouge

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#433275 31-Jan-2011 16:16

That doesn't work, when I attempt to authenticate, the site says that the key has already been used, I think there is some sort of key or something that has to come along with the media. I can copy from the Laptop to Nokia N8 and it plays there fine, but I don't seem to be able to copy from PC to PC which kind of makes sense, I suspect there is some process I have to follow to remove it from the current PC onto the target machine.

gehenna

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#433279 31-Jan-2011 16:20

Must be tied to your MAC address or something. Maybe log into the account you used to purchase the content, and see if you can de-register the original machine?

lyonrouge

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#433285 31-Jan-2011 16:22

When activating the DRM no login or credentials where captured. Note: the DRM I'm working with have all come from Digital Copies included in BluRay disc sets, when you transfer them it only asks for the activation code, no other details are captured

rscole86

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#433288 31-Jan-2011 16:27

There is no registry key or similar for authenticating the content?

kyhwana2

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#433293 31-Jan-2011 16:37

That's exactly what DRM is designed to stop you from doing :)

lyonrouge

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#433297 31-Jan-2011 16:39

So the computer you copy it to first time is where is must stay forever?

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johnr

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#433298 31-Jan-2011 16:39

kyhwana2: That's exactly what DRM is designed to stop you from doing :)

+1 this is how it works

kyhwana2

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#433303 31-Jan-2011 16:43

lyonrouge: So the computer you copy it to first time is where is must stay forever?

Depending on the type of DRM and what the publisher wants, yes.
It's illegal to "break" DRM, depending on where you live. I'm not too sure if it's actually illegal to break DRM in NZ or not.

lyonrouge

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#433304 31-Jan-2011 16:43

ooops, well that's a lesson learned. From the diaglogue it appears to be a hardware binding, so if I had to install the laptop again I could still use the content. Hmmm, so if I load all future DRM to the HTPC, then it's be stuck on that too, so I could not have a laptop copy. Hmm, interesting experiement, but I think I'll definitely be sticking to physical media for content.

Do online songs, like iTunes & Zune, work the same way? I've never bought online material, still buying CDs.

lyonrouge

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#433307 31-Jan-2011 16:46

kyhwana2:
lyonrouge: So the computer you copy it to first time is where is must stay forever?

Depending on the type of DRM and what the publisher wants, yes.
It's illegal to "break" DRM, depending on where you live. I'm not too sure if it's actually illegal to break DRM in NZ or not.

Its ironic as I'm always telling freiends and family off for steeling content, but my first experience with the legal (and ethically) path is a bit of a rocky road

gehenna

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#433308 31-Jan-2011 16:51

DRM isn't the right way to stop piracy, you're figuring that out for yourself today :)

lyonrouge

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#433311 31-Jan-2011 16:55

yes, yes I am, somewhat releaved it was material included with my BluRays and not something I had purchased and churned through my meagre download cap to obtain. I could have gone a fair way down the path before encountering this. My laptop does not have a huge disc and as it was filling I thought, I should move these over to the HTPC and just have ones I want on my laptop.

lyonrouge

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#433313 31-Jan-2011 16:56

Oh well, I guess that closed this thread, I won't use this as a discussion of alternative mechanisms, I'm going to go do reading, I'm sure it's debated in great dept on that thar interwebs.

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#433317 31-Jan-2011 17:02

lyonrouge: So the computer you copy it to first time is where is must stay forever?

Of course it depends on what DRM is being used and the company. Most (decent) companies allow you to activate multiple copies, and deactivate no-longer in use devices.

Apple iTunes for example allows you to have movies played in up to five devices. You can deactivate any device and then activate more. You just need to copy the content file and activate the device.

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