Decrypted Blu-ray & HD-DVD movies on PS3, no disc necessary

by James Ransom-Wiley { Feb 17th 2007 at 7:28PM }

This isn't so much a PlayStation 3 hack as it is a Linux operation. The process, as outlined by author "hacked2123," involves decoding and ripping movies from Blu-ray (or HD-DVD) discs onto a Linux-based PC, and then re-encoding the files into an unencrypted MPEG format that could be played on the PC, or further tinkered with and transferred to PS3 -- and with a little more effort, we suppose, also made compatible with Xbox 360 (as a WMV file).

Of course it's possible that, as Linux support evolves on PS3, Sony's console could become fully capable of exploiting high-definition movies on its own; and thereby become one of Blu-ray (and HD-DVD) manufacturers' worst enemies. And to think some still accuse PlayStation 3 of being nothing more than the Blu-ray peeps 'Trojan horse'...

[Via Engadget]

Tags: Blu-ray, Disc, HD-DVD, Linux, Movie, PS3

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Sensai @ Feb 17th 2007 7:39PM

Cool.

When the PS3 drops down in price a bit and I (maybe) pick one up, this'll probably be one of the things I use it for the most. And by that time, it's bound to be more sophisticated.

aegies @ Feb 17th 2007 7:40PM

Funny thing: as a MCE 2005 Media Center Extender, the 360 can play back mpeg files. It worked in Vista as well until the last Fall Dashboard update. After that, the Vista extender functionality doesn't support mpeg anymore.

http://eat-sleep-game.com

Hoffy @ Feb 17th 2007 7:57PM

I don't know why, but I absolutely love all those stupid "Oh hi..." cat pictures.

They make me feel happy on the inside.

BPM @ Feb 17th 2007 8:04PM

Kitties + stupid netspeak = über cute.

CountZer0 @ Feb 17th 2007 8:09PM

It's Caturday.

QS @ Feb 17th 2007 8:16PM

yeah, joystiq you're great but you have some issues and a cat fetish thing that you need to address

Grunge @ Feb 17th 2007 8:22PM

Why would they do it for Talladega Nights? Why??

Slaziman @ Feb 17th 2007 8:41PM

The kitten images are always funny as hell, keep up the good work

tranism @ Feb 17th 2007 8:54PM

You guys really need to brush up on your photoshop skills.

010111 @ Feb 17th 2007 9:20PM

"Sony's console could become fully capable of exploiting high-definition movies on its own; and thereby become one of Blu-ray (and HD-DVD) manufacturers' worst enemies."

fully capable of exploiting movies... on it's own. then you mention HD-DVD. how exactly will the PS3 manage that one?

jay @ Feb 17th 2007 9:25PM

I used to think "ah, cat images are funny to cat owners who make up the largest majority of gamers pets." but then the Wii poll came along and destroyed that. Just can't see why they're funny.

Now Hot Fuzz. *that* was funny. The internet needs Simon Pegg :(
oh and this was only a matter of time. Linux + PS3 hardware = fun. Sony have effectively given hackers the keys to the car, but the cars out of petrol.

Charron @ Feb 17th 2007 9:27PM

Anyone else find this somewhat similar to the whole UMD thing with the PSP? Wouldn't be surprised if more PS3's wind up playing backup movies than the actual disks.

Grog @ Feb 17th 2007 10:32PM

"Wouldn't be surprised if more PS3's wind up playing backup movies than the actual disks."

I would. You aren't playing burned DVDs here, you're playing Blu-Rays. The kind of people who "back up their movies" and play them (the cheap and the young) are not going to have the money to buy an as-yet-unavailable Blu-Ray burner.

Of course, it'll be a heck of a lot easier to rip them and play them off your HD - or easier still to just torrent someone else's rips. All in all, this doesn't seem like big news.

Charron @ Feb 17th 2007 10:47PM

Grog- I was referring to HD rips/torrents. (probably should have put backups in quotes.) After all, it seems more people play movies on their PSP off memory sticks than UMDs.

Steve @ Feb 17th 2007 11:36PM

But why is the cat calling me a blu-ray?

"I haxed you are blu-ray"

Doesn't make any sense to me.

Hilarious @ Feb 17th 2007 11:43PM

stupid internet meme...

Matt @ Feb 18th 2007 1:10AM

Decrypting or otherwise converting Blu-Ray/HD-DVD has been possible since the get-go. The big problem with the two formats is that neither can be successfully ripped or converted without image quality loss. ;)

Thumpah @ Feb 18th 2007 7:31AM

@ #10 - 010111

Why not just hook the Xbox 360 HD-DVD to the PS3, duh... Just think about it 010111, if you can.

I would not be suprised if it has already been done.

White Cloud @ Feb 18th 2007 9:37AM

Here comes more updates!

Josh @ Feb 18th 2007 10:15AM

Awesome, now I can rip The Departed off of Blu-ray into a 50gb file that I can stick on my external hard drive and play anywhere...

Or I can just rip the DVD, and buy the Departed on Blu-ray and enjoy the pristine quality without any 2nd generation conversion losses...

I don't think Sony has much to worry about.

chimp o death @ Feb 18th 2007 11:58AM

@ 20.

When it comes to Linux/hacking a console, the ability to do something far supercedes its usefullness in the minds of those so disposed. An artifacty, not-so-hot rip of a BR disc will be a hot item for those that want to be the first on their block, etc.

"Look, I'm watching the Departed in HD, and I stoleded it off the internets. Yeah it sucks, I'n glad I didn't pay for it."

Hence the popularity of camcorder versions of movies just out in the theatre. Why buy a ticket or wait for a legit DVD when you can see someone getting up to use the can in front of you. It's like a special feature.