Can I lock my own CD's/DVD's from being written on by someone else?

[grosslyclever]

Hi,

I made made some home movies and put them onto CD/DVD disks.

I will be giving some of them out to friends and friends.

Is there anyway I can "lock" them so no one could edit, delete or even add anything to the CD/DVD?

I am using DVD+R and DVD+R DL Disks.

(I'm not sure if I was clear enough, sorry I don't know how to word it any better).

Thanks!
- GC

 

[SilentPanda]

I think the CD's and DVD's you burn can't be altered. I know you can leave them "open" but with most software you'll probably use to author a video DVD or audio CD it will close the media.

What you can't really prevent is somebody ripping the CD/DVD, editing it, and making a new altered one. So while they probably can't alter the physical media you give them, they could alter the digital stuff on them.

 

[iBookG4user]

Once you burn the DVD you can't change anything on the DVD (Provided it is an R and not an RW) if that is what you're asking.

 

[Raid]

Well if you are talking about the physical media (i.e. the disk itself) then burning the file as a 'closed track' should prevent anyone adding to the disk, and unless you are using read/write disks then no one should be able to delete the information on the disk either.

I suspect you might be talking about manipulation of the home movie file(s), which I don't think there's any way a regular consumer can lock them to prevent someone else from making edits.

 

[grosslyclever]

So, if I burn the CD/DVD they can't add anything or edit the movie whatsoever?

The only thing I can't prevent is the movie being ripped?

 

[SilentPanda]

That is correct. Unless you put it on an RW I suppose.

 

[grosslyclever]

Let me make it a little more clear.

I want my movie to be like an actual DVD Where you can't add anything or modify anything.

Just for everyone to know:

I am using Memorex DVD + R recordable disks

 

[mathcolo]

I am using Memorex DVD + R recordable disks

If that's the case, and your software finished the disc with a closed track, then it will be locked and nobody will be able to remove or add content to the disc. Ripping will still be possible.

It's what everybody else has been saying

 

[grosslyclever]

If that's the case, and your software finished the disc with a closed track, then it will be locked and nobody will be able to remove or add content to the disc. Ripping will still be possible.

It's what everybody else has been saying

What does a "closed track" mean?

 

[SilentPanda]

If you leave the disc "open" it can still be written to. If you "close" it, it can't be. Often times if it is "open" it also can't be played except in a computer. If the program doesn't specify open or closed it's generally closed. I haven't seen an option to leave a disc open for a while...

What software are you using to write the discs?

 

[grosslyclever]

Nothing special, I just make the movie, put in the disk, add the movie to the disk and click burn. (I use a Mac)

Is that ok?

Should I be doing something else?

 

[arjen92]

yes, you should be doing something else. you're computer will play the file (I assume it's a .mov file, it might work with dvd, but won't count on it). DVD players only read MPEG-2. So .avi files and all the other codecs, regular dvd players won't play.

So open iDVD (or when you made your movie in iMovie, tell it to go to iDVD) and make your DVD. Then just tell iDVD to burn. Every dvdplayer should be able to read it than.

(you can also use toast if you don't want to use iDVD)

 

[surflordca]

If you have your DVD burning software set to finalize than nothing can be added. Keep in mind if you don't finalize others won't be able to view what is on the disk...

 

[old-wiz]

And there won't be any way to stop someone from simply importing your movie onto their computer's hard drive and loading it into a video editor.

 

[Tumbleweed666]

I think you need to explain more, because if your intent is to stop someone, for example, capturing scenes from your movie and putting them in another movie, or producing another movie made from yours perhaps with extra scenes, stopping that is basically impossible.
But it seems strange to want to stop anyone altering only the movie on the actual physical DVD you give them, as that is even more impossible, since once its closed that cant be done. (and if its not closed most folks wont be able to read it)