ARccOS

ARccOS stands for Advanced Regional Copy Control Operating Solution. It is a copy protection technology developed by Sony for DVD-Video content. Since, Content Scrambling System (CSS), the primary copy protection used for retail DVDs, can be easily circumvented, several solutions were developed to discourage copying by modifying the DVD-Video compilation itself in specific ways or the disc to hinder ripping attempts.

ARccOS sets a target in DVD copying/ripping software by inserting intentionally corrupt data into sectors on a DVD disc. This can cause DVD copying/ripping software to produce errors or imperfect results. Since DVD ripping software usually tries to copy every sector on the disc with no guidelines, ARccOS can be very successful at stopping copying attempts.

However, ARccOS can reportedly be beaten by use of commercial software such as AnyDVD or freeware software such as DVDFab Decrypter. DVD playback problems generally don't occur due to ARccOS since a DVD player can be instructed by the DVD media on what to read, and what to ignore.

While Sony reportedly discontinued ARccOS, some DVDs continue to use its extra protection.

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danmax 17 February, 2007 17:02
This may explain why I was able to copy the same movie: My son and myself both bought the same movie. I got mine about 3 or 4 months before he did. I was unable to coy mine, but was able to copy his. I do understand that some Sony movies are made in cheap labor countrys and the companys sometimes dont add the ARccOS but I think that if Sony truly ended the ARccOS, its because they found out it can be beat. Hey Sony your allready in the Blank DVD Biz, why screw it up.P.S. Tell Columbia- TriStar to let up too, it's costing you money.

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