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Topic: need to convert my protected windows media (Read 5460 times) previous topic - next topic
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need to convert my protected windows media

A easy method to unprotect my windows media?

Thanks

need to convert my protected windows media

Reply #1 –
Quote from: jovbon1 on
A easy method to unprotect my windows media?


I'd read they were going to switch the authorizing servers off.  I suppose this is what this is about.

Can audio CDs be burnt from them?  If so, that's what you can do -- burn an audio CD and then rip that to MP3.  Of course, you lose quality that way.  But if you'd otherwise lose the tracks, it seems worth it.

Yup, I just checked the original story:

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080...c-drm-keys.html

You can burn audio CDs from them.  That's what to do, then.

need to convert my protected windows media

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Nick E on
I'd read they were going to switch the authorizing servers off.  I suppose this is what this is about.


That is just for the MSN music service.  There are plenty of other download services that use DRM WMA files such as Napster, the Zune Marketplace, Real Rhapsody, and more.

You have a couple of options when it comes to legally removing the DRM.  You can burn the files to an audio CD and then re-rip the audio CD to a format of your choice.  There are also many programs that can record sound being played through your soundcard.  I believe TuneBite works this way in that it will play the files using their program, record the audio stream, and then encode it to another non-DRM format.  There are other lossless methods of removing DRM in WMA files but we cannot talk about them here.  So be careful when posting links.

need to convert my protected windows media

Reply #3 –
Here in The USA, the DMCA  makes it illegal to "crack" digital copy protection.  And, I assume it's against the forum rules to discuss it here.

But, I think it's OK to make an analog copy for personal use.  (There is no copy protection to crack in the analog signal.)  On you computer, you can make a digital-to-analog-to-digital recording with any recording software.   Usually this involves selecting "What-U-Hear" or "Stereo Mix" as your recording input.  (On Windows Vista, you have to change some settings to do this.)

need to convert my protected windows media

Reply #4 –
It is fine for us to discuss methods of removing DRM as long as we don't talk about actually cracking the DRM.  Most songs containing DRM can be burned to audio CDs (unless they were part of a subscription) or you can record the audio stream through your sound card.  Both methods are 100% legal, can be discussed here, and don't violate any EULAs.  We cannot talk about reverse engineered software that losslessly removes the DRM by cracking it.
 

need to convert my protected windows media

Reply #5 –
Yep, "recording" content that isn't allowed to be saved/burned (like subscription content) is a clear violation of most end user licenses and should not be discussed here.

need to convert my protected windows media

Reply #6 –
And if you don't care about a little file size, you can re-store them in a lossless format, which wouldn't lose any quality of the original tracks.
elevatorladylevitateme

need to convert my protected windows media

Reply #7 –
One last thing: There are applications or procedures that can assist in converting purchased burnable audio content as legally as possible, by simulating the CD burner.  NoteBurner, for example, is one solution.  It just removes the step of having to use a real CD or CD-RW... and eases the ripping/encoding process.

need to convert my protected windows media

Reply #8 –
Quote from: kornchild2002 on
It is fine for us to discuss methods of removing DRM as long as we don't talk about actually cracking the DRM.  Most songs containing DRM can be burned to audio CDs (unless they were part of a subscription) or you can record the audio stream through your sound card.  Both methods are 100% legal, can be discussed here, and don't violate any EULAs.  We cannot talk about reverse engineered software that losslessly removes the DRM by cracking it.


The DMCA (section 1201) makes it illegal to attempt to "circumvent" DRM.  What's being discussed in this thread certainly sounds like circumvention.

Circumvent:  
"To go around; bypass: circumvented the city."

"To avoid or get around by artful maneuvering: She planned a way to circumvent all the bureaucratic red tape."


So when you say "Both methods are 100% legal", could you please cite your evidence?

need to convert my protected windows media

Reply #9 –
Quote from: plnelson on
The DMCA (section 1201) makes it illegal to attempt to "circumvent" DRM.  What's being discussed in this thread certainly sounds like circumvention.


No, we are talking about removing the DRM using legal methods so that the files can be played on other devices.  We can talk about burning the files to an audio CD or recording the sound stream through the sound card.  We cannot talk about cracking the DRM.  You see, when one burns an audio CD or records the sound stream, the DRM is being confronted.  We aren't stepping around the DRM or trying to remove it before playing the files.

Simply look at the EULA's for online services such as the iTunes Store.  This is a direct quote from the iTunes Store EULA:
"(v) You shall be authorized to burn an audio playlist up to seven times.

(vi) You shall not be entitled to burn video Products or ring tone Products.

(vii) You shall be entitled to export, burn (if applicable) or copy (if applicable) Products solely for personal, noncommercial use.

...

(x) You agree that you will not attempt to, or encourage or assist any other person to, circumvent or modify any security technology or software that is part of the Service or used to administer the Usage Rules."

Again, we are not stepping around the DRM in any way, shape, or form as it clearly states that one can burn audio playlists all they want.  The EULA also says that one can play the files all they want.  Circumventing the DRM would be removing it all together using software applications that crack the DRM.  That or cracking the DRM so that the files can play in unauthorized software.  We are using authorized software to play the files (or burn them) which is expressly outlined in the EULA as being fine.  We aren't trying to help them modify, crack, or go around the DRM.

Edit: punctuation

need to convert my protected windows media

Reply #10 –
Off topic a bit, but since someone mentioned MSN Music earlier... Microsoft decided to leave the authentication servers up until at least 2011... so you can move and re-authorize old protected MSN Music content between PCs for a few years more if burning to audio CD is not your thing.