5.9 - What is SCMS? How do I defeat it?
Description
This article is from the Audio Professional FAQ, by with numerous contributions by Gabe M. Wiener others.
5.9 - What is SCMS? How do I defeat it?
SCMS is the Serial Copy Management System, a form of copy protection
that was mandated by Federal law (the Home Recording Rights Act).
SCMS consists of a set of subcode flags that indicate to a digital
recorder whether or not the source may be copied. Under the HRRA,
consumers are permitted to make one digital generation, but no more.
Thus when, for instance, the consumer copies a CD onto DAT, the SCMS
flag is set on the copy, and no further generations can be made.
SCMS is only mandated in consumer machines. Any recorder sold
through professional channels, and which is intended for use in
professional applications, does not have to implement it.
There are several professional products, such as Digital Domain's
FCN-1 format converter, which allow manipulation of the SCMS flags.
These units exist so that professional engineers may adjust the
subcode bits of the recordings they produce. [Gabe]
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