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How can I make a video such that the quality degrades if someone tries to record it using cam-studio or similar software? We create music videos which are often subjected to piracy. Although the CDs are encrypted, making it difficult for people to duplicate, anyone can record the videos using camstudio or similar software while playing it on their computer.

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Have you considered making a chain of renders until you get one that really shows degradation and then use the render just before this to publish so that when it is pirated it will be obviously degraded? – filzilla Feb 26 at 21:30
@filzilla I think you just invented the new Instagram for video... – ObscureRobot Mar 2 at 19:12
LOL! Thank you for the lifting thought. :> – filzilla Mar 5 at 18:31

2 Answers

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Rovi does try to add an element of security but the simple truth is that once it is being played, there is actually nothing you can do to prevent it being copied. Unless you control everything (including the screen) then an attacker can just wait until the encryption has been removed and copy the output. So this could be in memory, on screen, by intercepting HDMI etc.

This has been discussed at great length on security.stackexchange.com as it is one of the unsolved issues in security.

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yes - you really need to evaluate your situation to ensure that adding a copy protection scheme makes sense. At the end of the day, you are probably just putting money in Rovi's pocket and making life a bit harder for the people that produce your final output. There is also the small issue that music videos are usually intended to promote your band. You might need your head examined if you want to prevent people from seeing them! – ObscureRobot Feb 25 at 2:02
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Rovi, formerly Macrovision dominates this field. Their products can be expensive, and are far from perfect, so there are a variety of competitors out there, but you have to evaluate them (and Rovi products as well) very carefully.

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