DVD authorization

It already comes in a free downloadable app

http://jenniferandjon.com/software/index.php?main_page=product_music_info&cPath=66&products_id=192

You can deploy that via casper

Check the Resource Kit. There's a script for that.

Since region coding is set within the optical drive itself I don't know how
that is possible, but I would LOVE it if someone had something for this as
well.

Craig E

Kind of sounds like “There’s an app for that”.

I should really MAKE time to look at the resource kit more, see what Nick’s cooked up.

Thanks, Jeff.

Craig E

Misread. Set the region code itself, I don't know. Script to unlock region code settings is in the Security & Antivirus folder in the Resource Kit.

On 10.5 clients, I like to use this script in a policy:

#!/bin/sh
"$3"/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set
:rights:system.device.dvd.setregion.initial:class allow"
"$3"/etc/authorization

I didn't realize that until I sent it out. The other phrase I like when discussing Casper is "set it and forget it," like the Ron Popeil Showtime Rotisserie. On sale now for only $39.95.

This doesn't answer your question directly, but I make sure to install VLC Media Player on all the Macs I support - it ignores region codes on DVD's. When a user has a cranky DVD in regards to a region I have them open the disc in VLC. Haven't had to change a region code in over two years.

VLC is handy for playing all sorts of media files as well.

-- Ted August
Salve Regina University

You may want to be careful with VLC. There are many legal issues with its use in the United States.

http://www.videolan.org/doc/faq/en/index.html#id485611

Of note, libdvdcss, which allows DVD playback is illegal in the US due to violation of the DMCA. I know, it's dumb and DMCA should be gutted completely, but the law is the law. If you don't like it, contact your representatives.

The other issue is with royalty payments. Some of the codecs included with VLC are patented and require royalty payment to the patent holder. Mostly, these are the MPEG style codecs. Because VLC is not sold, the cost of these royalty payments falls on the end-user/organization.

So you ask, "But QuickTime is free and it plays back these files." Yes, you're right. And it's Apple that's absorbing these costs and paying for it. While it doesn't cost you to use QuickTime, it's costs Apple.

And as always, I am not a lawyer. Consult your legal department etc etc yadda yadda.

j
---
Jared F. Nichols
Desktop Engineer, Infrastructure & Operations
Information Services Department
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
244 Wood Street
Lexington, Massachusetts 02420
781.981.5436

VLC is in every one of my configs. I'm going to pretend I never received this.

This email will self-destruct in 5, 4, 3...

Sent from a mobile device.

I have one that unlocks the padlock so that any user can set the region code. Does this work for you?

I installed the packaged sent out earlier that modifies the /etc/ authorization file, and that appears to work for me.

Thanks everyone,
Robert

I just used that PKG file works great for me too