14 DAY TRIAL // At least it doesn't seem to be, especially with all the feedback coming from various websites around the world. The story is as simple as ever; yet don't think there's no catch here. If you are reading this, you will understand that you can actually break the copy protection and eventually copy an entire disk to your hard drive. However, you won't be able to see the movie. If this makes you a little fuzzy, let me detail the story some more.
In the end of December 2006, a user named "muslix64" has posted a thread (on the Doom9 forum) that contains a link to a HD-DVD decoding tool. In the thread, the user claims that he has been able to break the AACS encoding format used to protect HD DVD and Blu-ray content. The thread contains the link to download the java-based program but also a link to a Youtube video that shows the actual decrypting process.
The "catch" that I've mentioned earlier is the following: although much of the work in backing up an HD DVD movie is done by the exploit, users who want to try it are still required to find (crack) their own cryptographic keys in order to play the disk. In other words, you can copy it but you won't be able to see it. The author points out the fact that enthusiasts can quickly find a way to get the keys out of a software or hardware player since these items are decrypted when the movie is being played.
The user also suggests that a team of programmers could work on decrypting all existing HD-DVD disks and then post the needed keys on the web. Combining the keys with the ripping software that the author has provided, anyone should be able to get a clean copy of a HD-DVD disk. I've seen the video and read all the Doom9 related thread and I have to say this is an impressive achievement. Nevertheless, the fact that the keys are unavailable renders it useless at the moment. But if you compare the situation to the DeCCS issue, you will probably reach the same conclusion that I have: it's only a matter of time now.