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Cactus Data Shield
General Information
Company - Macrovision Corporation (http://macrovision.com) ( previously owned by Midbar Tech Ltd ).
Protection - Cactus Data Shield.
Versions.
Cactus Data Shield 100 (CDS100)
Cactus Data Shield 100 (CDS200)
Cactus Data Shield 100 (CDS300)
This protection is currently in use on selected Audio CDs, making a backup will result in a CD which can not be played. Only a few seconds are played.
Protection Specification
The makers of Cactus Data Shield claim the following for the product:
Prevention of any type of unauthorized digital duplication of CDs, DVDs and proprietary formats (Music, Video or Data).
It does not rely on software keys, hardware dongles, plugs or other external equipment or processes.
Protected CDs and DVDs operate fully on existing commercial players and drives.
It prohibits Internet-piracy by preventing unauthorized transmission/conversion of digital files (Music/MP3, Software and Video) over the Internet.
How It Works
Cactus inserts modifications to original CDs in a way that confuses CD-ROM devices during the copying process.
Issues with CDS
There were some reports that this protection could damage hi-fis and loudspeakers but as it seems now this was just a rumor:
Midbar has assured users that it regards any technology that has the potential to damage any hi fis and/or loudspeaker equipment as totally unacceptable, and has made it clear that there is nothing in its technology on the market, past, current or future, that could, or would, be potentially damaging to equipment.
Midbar says record labels have released more than one million CDs protected by its Cactus system into the European market--with no complaints.
Detection
The ClonY XXL program is able to detect most Cactus Data Shield protected CDs.
Usually there is a reference to Midbar Tech, Tel-Aviv or Israel on cover/inlay.
Backup Solution
A few Audio rippers can extract the audio tracks and a working CD can be rebuilt.
CloneCD is currently the easiest software to use to create a 1:1 backup without any problems.
External links
- CD Media World (http://www.cdmediaworld.com/hardware/cdrom/cd_protections_cactus_data_shield.shtml)
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