I'm hoping a moderator or microsoft employee will chime in here.  I have read about the various "work arounds" to get extenders playing native dvd file structure (.vob files).  My question is:  Why doesn't Microsoft add this functionality?  I know it is a software issue, and I know it is an easy software fix for Microsoft.  So, I can only assume this lack of functionality for media center extenders is related to copyright issues or DRM.

However, the issues regarding copyright infringement etc. should only relate to COPYING the DVD.  Once a user has successfully copied a DVD disc to a computer harddrive (many ways to jump through that hoop), then the user has accepted responsibility for doing so.  Content owners can debate whether this violates copyright laws or not.  Bottom line  . . . I don't see how Microsoft is accepting any risk for providing extenders the ability to play .vob video files just like the extenders can play many other video file formats (.wmv, mpeg-2, mpeg-4, .avi, etc.).   This is really video file format discrimination.  Microsoft has specifically excluded the most popular digital video file format on the planet (DVD files).

This has been discussed and it does relate to copyright issues. You'd have to contact MS Lawyers to get their position (it's a better safe than sorry) on how they read the copyright law and the fine print on the DVD license agreement (not just the disc you have but the basic license from the DVD group which covers playback).

It appears for the time being, you'll have to make do with one of the "private" workarounds for playing dvds on an extender.

I'm pretty sure the reason you can't play .VOB files on extenders is because Microsoft and Linksys etc. want no part of it.  They don't want Hollywood blaming them when a know-it-all 35 year old copies his buddies DVDs and DVDs he has rented at a reduced price to his hard drive as if he'd paid full price for the content.  It looks like MS is trying to help Hollywood protect their investments in content in order to keep the content around at least a few more years....Q

Dr. Shane:

Content owners can debate whether this violates copyright laws or not.

Umm...there is no debate.  Just take a look at a few torrent sites out there.  People are putting TV shows up there by the season.  Using the "no DRM" logic, Best Buy is robbing people by charging someone for those same TV shows or movies...insanity...anarchy...a total loss of capitalism and order...Q

 

ChiWax:

Dr. Shane:

Content owners can debate whether this violates copyright laws or not.

Umm...there is no debate.  Just take a look at a few torrent sites out there.  People are putting TV shows up there by the season.  Using the "no DRM" logic, Best Buy is robbing people by charging someone for those same TV shows or movies...insanity...anarchy...a total loss of capitalism and order...Q

 

You say there is no debate.  Are you saying that if I buy a DVD at Walmart and then rip the DVD to my PC's harddrive (b/c my kids will eventually scratch it to unuseable status or feed the DVD to my dog, etc.), that I am violating copyright laws?  I call this "fair use doctrine" as codified in section 107 of copyright law.