How to Remove DVD Copy Protection Easily 2023

Part 1. Basic Knowledge of DVD Copy Protections

There are many ways to encrypt files, among which copy protection is one of the best keys to DVD lock. With lots of DVD movies on hand bought from local stores, flea markets, or even online stores, like eBay or Amazon, you probably want to play them on your laptop or DVD player but only to find that these DVDs are either DRM encrypted or region code locked.

Currently, there are many kinds of DVD copy protections that stop users from copying a DVD for distribution or commercial use, some regular and some advanced. In this part, I have collected all the DVD copying protection for your reference, and give you the most effective ways to remove them. Let’s dive into them right now.

1. Region Code

Region code means a DVD disc is only available in some special areas ruled by a code, aiming to control the DVD release and its price. In order to break through this limit, you have to remove copyright protection from DVD. That's called DVD copyright removal process. On the contrary, discs without region coding are called all-region or region 0 discs, which are under no restriction. Here is the area each Region code number represents:

• Region code 0: The informal term of its DVD copy protection means 'worldwide", is not an official setting, and bears no flag set or region 1-6 flags set. You don't need to find any DVD copywrite remover for this region code. 
• Region 1: This DVD copy protection mainly stops the illegal use of a DVD in Canada, the United States, U.S. territories, and Bermuda.
• Region Code 2: This copy-protected DVD has a playback limit in Western and Central Europe, Western Asia, Egypt, Japan, South Africa, Swaziland, the United Kingdom, Turkey, French overseas territories. 
• Region Code 3: This DVD copy protection is targeted at Southeast Asia, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
• Region Code 4: You cannot copy or rip DVDs with such copy protection in Australia, Oceania, Central, and South America, the Caribbean, Mexico
• Region Code 5: This DVD copy protection takes effect in Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Africa, Central, and South Asia, Mongolia, and North Korea.
• Region Code 6: DVDs with this copy protection cannot be played in China and Hong Kong.
• Region Code 7: This DVD copy protection is reserved for future use. Some screener copies of MPAA-related DVDs and media copies of pre-released in Asia have been encrypted with this protection.
• Region Code 8: This copyright is widely used for international venues like cruise ships, aircraft, etc.
• Region Code All: There are 8 flags set in this DVD copy protection, make a disc playable in the special locale on any player.

Is there any way to remove region code from DVD? Of course, DVDFab Passkey for DVD can do you a favor. If you not only want to remove that protection but also copy your DVD to hard disk or rip it to digital video formats, DVDFab DVD Copy and DVDFab DVD Ripper can also be good choices.

DVDFab DVD Copy Copy any encrypted DVD to computer, hard drive, blank disc Offer 6 copy modes with lossless quality   Free Download Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7   Free Download macOS 10.10 - 13   100% Safe & Clean

DVDFab DVD Ripper Rip any protected DVD to digital formats available on multiple devices Rip DVD in 3-5 minutes with lossless quality   Free Download Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7    Free Download macOS 10.10 - 13   100% Safe & Clean

2. Region Code Enhanced (RCE)

Region Code Enhanced refers to a retroactive scheme to prevent playing DVD from one region in another region, which is also known as just “RCE” or “REA”. If you want to rip a DVD and decrypt RCE, DVDFab DVD Ripper is the best free choice to rip protected DVDs. 

3. Content Scramble System (CSS)

Content Scramble System, an abbreviation for CSS, refers to a Digital Rights Management (DRM) scheme applied on almost all commercially released DVDs. Introduced in 1996, it aims for preventing DVD video from being illegally copied, distributed, and viewed. So to copy a DVD disc, CSS protection removal is the first step you'll have to proceed with.

If you want to remove the CSS protection from a live DVD, then DVDFab DVD Copy or DVD Ripper can be very useful. Another option worth considering is the free software, DVDFab HD Decrypter, which is a simplified version of these two programs and can remove some common forms of copy protection from DVDs on both Mac and Windows operating systems. Additionally, this software also enables you to transfer copy-protected DVDs to your computer. However, if you intend to remove the latest DVD copy protection, it’s still advisable to use DVDFab DVD Copy or DVD Ripper.

Note: All these programs like DVDFab DVD Copy, DVD Ripper and HD Decrypter are installed in one package, DVDFab 12, for your easy use.

4. User Operation Prohibition (UOP)

User Operation Prohibition, an abbreviation for UOP, refers to a digital rights management scheme applied on DVD video discs that prohibit viewers from performing a large majority of actions. If users are attempting to make changes to this kind of discs, it would present you with relevant copyright notices like FBI warnings. In order to remove copyright from DVDs like UOPs, find a DVD recorder copy protection removal. DVDFab is safe to do this.

5. Sony ARccOS Protection

Sony ARccOS Protection refers to a copy protection system developed by Sony. Designed as an additional layer working in collaboration with Content Scramble System (CSS), ARccOS deliberately creates corrupted sectors on the DVD when users are trying to copy a DVD. You can complete the DVD encryption removal with the best decrypter.

6. Analog Protection System (APS)

Analog Protection System, also named Copyguard, refers to a DVD copy prevention system which is originally developed by Macrovision. If users are trying to copy DVDs with APS protection, they would find out that the copied become garbled and unwatchable. In order to avoid this trouble, go and find DVD protection removal software in advance.

7. FairPlay

FairPlay, developed by Apple, is a digital rights management (DRM) technology built into the MP4 file as an encrypted AAC audio layer, aiming to protect copyrighted works sold through iTunes Store, and it only allows authorized devices to play the content. To copy protected MP4 files with this encryption, removing copyright from DVDs shall be given first priority.

8. CPRM/CPPM

The next DVD copying protection, CPRM/CPPM, short for Content Protection for Recordable Media or Pre-Recorded Media, stands for a mechanism employed for restricting the copying, moving and deletion of digital media on a host device, such as a personal laptop, or DVD player. Find a DVD copywrite remover to eliminate it. And if you also want to decrypt recorded 4k blu-ray, there is also a program recommended.

9. High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP, DVI, and HDMI)

HDCP, short for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, refers to a scheme of digital copy protection developed by Intel Corporation to prevent copying of digital audio & video content, including DisplayPort (DP), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), and High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), etc. It can be eliminated by a DVD DRM removal tool.

All right, we’ve listed 9 different kinds of DVD copy protections for your reference. I’m sure you‘ve understood the different schemes that might cause different copying or ripping errors when you try to reproduce the DVD content. In other words, if you want to remove copy protection from DVDs, all these types are the ones you should bear in mind when looking for the right solutions.

Part 2. How to Remove DVD Copy Protection?

Now, let's start to seek the best software to remove copy-protected DVD. Based on the level of DVD copy protection, I have divided it into two types: Regular and Advanced. Follow me to explore how to remove DVD copy protections with HandBrake, DVDSmith and Passkey for DVD, respectively.

2.1 Remove Advanced DVD Copy Protection with Passkey for DVD

However, when it comes to some advanced and latest copy protections, Handbrake and DVDSmith might not be able to decrypt and remove all the time. What’s more, many might find it troublesome and inconvenient to install libdvdcss. In this case, you might need a good and more powerful Handbrake or DVDSmith alternative to do the job. That way, DVDFab Passkey for DVD would be a nice choice.

• Operating System: Windows
• Removable DVD Copy Protection: Almost all known DVD copy protections like CSS, Region Code, RCE, APS, UOPs, ARccOS Rip Guard, etc.

Pros:

• Decrypt any DVD by removing all known copy protection
• Work with 3rd party software to copy, rip and convert the disc video.
• Keep updating to meet the latest encryption tech and copy protections
• Provide the best user experience with flexible settings
• 30-day free trial

Con:

• Can’t handle DRM and Cinavia, not free.

Constantly updated to deal with the new DVD copy protections, DVDFab Passkey for DVD has been tested for countless times to be more powerful than any other similar software on the market in all aspects. This best DVD copy protection removal software, a Windows-based driver that works on-the-fly, never stops being updated to catch up with the latest DVD protections, and offer users the latest decryption technologies and features. Having a DVD can’t be decrypted on hand? Try this following solution.

How to use DVDFab Passkey for DVD?

Follow the steps below to decrypt DVD and rip DVD to hard disk or ISO Image file.

Step 1: Install DVDFab Passkey for DVD

Unlike Handbrake DVD copy protection, which requires a third-party tool to decrypt a few copy protections, this DVD copy protection removal software allows you to decrypt almost all known DVD copy protections. Install it and click “Start DVDFab Passkey”.

Step 2: Insert the DVD or Blu-ray source into the Drive

Insert DVD/Blu-ray into the drive, DVDFab Passkey shall remove the protection automatically after analyzing it, then presents you a general info relevant to the removed protection.

Step 3: Play or Work with other Software

Then, feel free to use other DVD or Blu-ray playback, or copy and ripper software to back up the DVD/BD content.

2.2 How to Remove Cinavia from DVD?

Even the above three great solutions would prove futile when it comes to Cinavia Removal. For the Cinavia removal method, you need a dedicated tool. For Cinavia, working to prevent DVD copying through the detection of watermark recorded into the analog audio of media such as theatrical films and DVD or Blu-ray discs. Different devices or firmware might cause problems like muted audio or suddenly stopped playback.

To remove Cinavia, you need a dedicated DVD Cinavia removal software like DVDFab DVD Cinavia Removal. Now, with this Cinavia removal software, the backup discs are completely Cinavia-free and won’t be interrupted during the process of playback by any Cinavia error message on any Cinavia enabled DVD playback devices, such as the PS3 and certain home DVD players. After removing the audio track planted with Cinavia watermark, DVD Cinavia Removal will produce a comparatively lossless AC3 audio track in replacement.

Here Are the Simple Steps to Remove Cinavia from DVD:

Step 1: Download and Installation of DVD Cinavia Removal

To download DVDFab DVD Cinavia Removal, just click the two buttons below, one is for Windows, the other macOS;

Step 2: Navigate to Copy > Main Movie Mode

During the process of DVD reading and analyzing, this Cinavia removal software shall select the audio track from the audio section which is embedded with Cinavia watermark automatically. Remember to slash across the Cinavia logo to make sure to disable Cinavia.

Step 3: Start Conversion

The last part is to start conversion to back up the Cinavia-clear DVD disc. But don’t forget to select a directory before you click the “Start” button.

2.3 Remove Regular DVD Copy Protection with HandBrake

Let's continue with copying copyright DVDs with regular protection. And the first DVD copywrite remover to rebut is Handbrake. How to copy protected DVD with it? Before that, see the main features of this open-source DVD ripping software.

Operating System: Windows, Mac, and Linux

Pro:

• Free and open source
• Rips DVDs and converts video files
• Can queue up multiple conversions
• Includes ready-made presets

Con:

• Can't remove DVD copy protection

Can Handbrake rip copy-protected DVDs? I am sorry to tell you: NO. Then why are there so many people who search for "HandBrake rip DVD copy protection" online. One of the assumptions is that Handbrake was used to be free DVD copyright removal software in the past, but it no longer rips copy-protected DVDs now. But as a DVD ripper, HandBrake still works to rip a DVD without encryption. For encrypted DVDs, you need to ask for a third-party decrypter called libdvdcss, which literally stands for lib (library) + dvd (DVD) + css (Content Scrambling System), to access and unscramble DVDs encrypted with CSS protection.

Next, we would show you the simple steps on how to remove copy protection from DVDs with Handbrake and libdvdcss.

Step 1: Download Handbrake

You could go to its official website to make Handbrake free download of the right version matching with your system.

Step 2: Download Libdvdcss

As we mentioned above, Handbrake needs to remove copy protection from DVDs in collaboration with a third-party tool called libdvdcss. Therefore, you are required to download and install libdvdcss by searching "libdvdcss" on Google and download it as instructed.

Step 3: Open the DVD Source

Launch Handbrake on your laptop, and then click the “Source” button on the top left corner to load the source after you put the DVD disc in your drive. Libdvdcss will read and remove copyright protection from DVD automatically.

Step 4: Make Source and Destination Settings

Select the title you’d like to rip from the drop-down menu, then press “Add to Queue” button to add your selected title to your ripping list. How to choose multiple titles? Just add them to the queue one by one, and don’t forget to set a destination directory.

Step 5: Select the Output Format

Choose an output video format from the list.

Step 6: Start to Rip copy protected DVD

Click on the “Start” button to let Handbrake remove copy protection from DVD on your computer. During the ripping process, the regular DVD copy protection shall be bypassed and disabled.

2.4 Remove Regular DVD Copy Protection with DVDSmith

Let's start with the compatibility of this DVD Copywrite remover - DVDSmith,

• Operating System: Windows, Mac
• Removable DVD Copy Protection: Regular DVD copy protections like CSS, RC, RCE, APS, UOPs and Sony ARccOS.

Pro: Rips DVDs and converts video files
Con: Can't handle DRM and some advanced copy protections

DVDSmith Movie Backup, created by DVDSmith, is one of the best free DVD decrypters. This program can decrypt and remove DVD copy protections and help users to rip the full DVD movie or main movie to hard drive. Besides, it allows users to select audios and subtitles.

Steps on How to Copy Protected DVDs with DVDSmith Movie Backup

Step 1: Download and install the right version matching with your computer operating system.
Step 2: Then, you need to launch DVDSmith Movie Backup and then insert the DVD movie disc into your movie drive.
Step 3: Choose backup mode to copy the movie either with Full Disc (with bonus features) or Main Movie (without bonus features) mode. This program will detect and remove DVD copy protection later.

Step 4: Choose the drive location in the drop-down list where the DVD is inserted, and remember to set a directory for the backup files.
Step 5: Last, you can click “Start Backup” button to start the DVD copying process after all settings are done. During this process, DVDSmith shall automatically bypass and remove DVD copy protections like CSS, Region Code or others. Upon the ending of the copying process, you can check the output folder for the backed-up movie file.

Note: regarding the copying speed, you could make it quicker by selecting different Copy Methods from Normal, Lowly Enhanced or Highly Enhanced. Certainly, the latter you choose, the more time it requires.

Part 3. Extension: How to Remove Blu-ray Protections?

As currently, the movie industry and studios have been releasing new movies of Blu-ray or even 4k UHD versions. DVD might sometimes become kind of outdated for the image resolution and quality. Then some users might ask, talking so much about DVD copy protection removal, how about removing Blu-ray protections? Don’t worry, we have a good recommendation for you: DVDFab Passkey for Blu-ray, the brother of Passkey for DVD.

The copy protection removal method is very similar to that of Passkey for DVD as we mentioned above. 3 Steps would have your Blu-ray removed of copy protection once you insert the Blu-ray disc into the drive. Besides, you can also rip the decrypted Blu-ray to a hard disk or image for your later use.

With this powerful Blu-ray software, you could save newly released Blu-rays like Sleeping Beauty, Iron Man, Parasite for enjoyment anywhere and anytime, a real bliss for home theater enthusiasts. Next, we are going to conclude this article with some frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Final Words

DVDFab is good at providing service to help you remove dvd copy protection and copy or rip DVD for backup if you are looking for good and professional software to assist you to do that.