Blu-Ray Ultra-HD DRM

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Ultra HD Blu-Ray uses internet connected AACCS DRM requiring WiFi every time a disk is played, if AACS servers shut down disks become permanently unplayable .

The Ultra HD Blu-Ray standard incorporates various restrictions, making it impossible to play UHD Blu-Ray discs without proprietary software and an internet connection. The primary DRM system used is the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) for content distribution and digital rights management. It employs a set of cryptographically complex standards to encrypt and control media playback. Decryption keys can only be acquired by connecting via internet to the company's servers.

Hardware requirements

The requirements to play a UHD Blu-Ray on a PC are:

1. A UHD-compatible optical drive certified by AACS LA.
2. An Intel CPU with support for Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX): SGX is a protocol that creates a secure environment to prevent users from tampering with imposed restrictions. This feature was available in Intel CPUs produced between 2015 and 2022 but was discontinued due to security concerns (list of vulnerabilities is available here).
3. Intel Management Engine (ME): If the ME version is outdated, the disc will not play.
4. An Integrated Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): The GPU shares the SGX enclave with the CPU, reducing the likelihood of users accessing or copying audio/video data.
5. HDCP 2.2 support: The integrated GPU, monitor, and HDMI/DisplayPort cable must all support High-bandwith Digital Content Protection (HDCP) version 2.2. This protection system authenticates devices and encrypts the stream between them, making it extremely difficult to access audio/video data.

Software requirements

The decryption process involves several steps, with the first being the authentication of the player and the optical drive to ensure that both possess valid certificates. These certificates can be revoked arbitrarily at any time by AACS LA, rendering devices or software unusable with restricted media.

Developers can obtain specifications for AACS 2.0 and 2.1 only after signing a license agreement. This agreement stipulates that any software implementation must be closed-source and, as stated in section 7.6.4.1 of the agreement, requires the use of obfuscation techniques designed to effectively disguise and hinder attempts to uncover the methods used. This raises privacy concerns because decryption keys cannot be included with the software. Instead, the software must connect to the internet to retrieve the keys from servers. If these servers were to shut down, there would be no way to obtain the decryption keys, making the discs permanently unplayable.

Ownership concerns

The restrictive hardware and software requirements to play AACS protected discs are designed in a way that goes against the right to own, a key concept for consumer rights. Here's why:

1. Lack of Permanent Access: When decryption keys are stored on remote servers and require an internet connection to access, users are dependent on the continued operation of those servers. If the servers are shut down (e.g., due to company closure or discontinuation of support), the media becomes permanently unplayable. This undermines the idea of ownership, as users lose access to content they legally purchased.
2. Arbitrary Revocation of Certificates: The ability of AACS LA to revoke certificates at any time means that even if a user owns a legitimate player or software, it can be rendered unusable without warning. This creates a situation where the user's ability to access their media is controlled by a third party, not by their ownership of the physical disc.
3. Closed-Source and Obfuscation Requirements: The requirement for software to be closed-source and obfuscated prevents users from understanding, modifying, or repairing the software they use to access their media. This limits their control over the products they own and restricts their ability to preserve access to their media in the long term.