Way to view DVD content on iPad?

Question

Way to view DVD content on iPad?

I have some courses and old movies on DVD. I'd like to view them on an iPad. Under the fair use doctrine a person is entitled to make copies of physical media and digital files which he has license to use if he is doing so solely for his own use, e.g. backup copies. I do not intend to reverse engineer anything, nor crack any copy protection scheme, nor make copies for sale, nor show anyone else, nor charge admission, nor violate the terms of any license I purchased. I just want to view content I paid for on a different device than my Mac computer. I wish to convert (if necessary and possible) for viewing on the iPad some DVDs which I legally purchased and intend to view under the terms of the license. Is there a legally available program for this? If not, is there some way to stream the content to the iPad from my Mac and view it when desired? Thanks for any insights.

G4 dual 1G

Posted on Dec 21, 2010 6:58 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 23, 2017 11:49 AM in response to rvg113

Hi All: I would like to bring this topic up again. I think there is now a new (2018?) iPad out, but I don't think it has DVD playing capabilities either. I also have a collection of DVD's and grandchildren who would love to watch them, but when we travel to see the grandkids, we only take our iPad. Therefore, I have to find another device in the campground , if at all possible, to play the DVD's for them. This is not convenient at all. Is there a player, or an adapter for a remote player, that I can connect to my iPad that will help me play DVD'S on my iPad out there??

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Answer 2

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Dec 21, 2010 7:32 AM in response to Thomas Camilleri

If they are DRM protected it is illegal to break the DRM. You may be able to make a backup, but a backup is not the same of breaking DRM and using it on a device it was not intended for.

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Answer 3

Dec 21, 2010 11:20 AM in response to lllaass

How does one know whether or not any given content is under DRM and if it is how does one know that accessing it on a particular device is illegal? Seems that a content producer shouldn't mind what screen her content is viewed on, as long as it's a private screen. If the content can be imported into iTunes, such as a CD, would that mean it is not under DRM? I'm not big on digital media consumption and am just trying to get a handle on things.

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Answer 4

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Dec 21, 2010 11:49 AM in response to Thomas Camilleri

If you can copy a DVD to your computer and play it from your computer without the DVD in the disk drive then it is probably not DRM protected. The course material DVD may or may not be DRM protected. Most commercial DVD are DRM protected. To play a non-DRM protected DVD you have to convert it to a format that the iPad will play. However, you will lose formation like chapters.

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Answer 5

Dec 21, 2010 11:49 AM in response to Thomas Camilleri

It's very rare to find a commercial DVD that's not encrypted. The rights holders of content are, in fact, very particular about how their work is used. Playing media on different devices frequently requires the purchase of a different license. So, if you buy the DVD of a movie (which is really a license to use the content) and you want to watch it on your iPad, you will need to pay again. Why would they want to allow you to transfer the content any where you want when they can make money twice?

CDs, generally, are not encrypted. Therefore, as there is no encryption to break, you are generally allowed to make copies for your personal use and for back ups.

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Answer 6

Dec 21, 2010 3:17 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thanks to all who commented. I googled some info on DRM as well and got a bit more up to speed. Bummer that DVD's won't work on the iPad like CDs, but I guess that's the way it is. This is sort of a poison pill for me; makes the iPad less attractive than my MacBook as a portable media station. Most of the DVDs I'd want to view on the iPad are ones i'd also want to see on a bigger screen and I can't see paying twice for every title..

Message was edited by: Thomas Camilleri

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Answer 7

rvg113

Level 1

8 points

Dec 24, 2015 10:31 AM in response to Thomas Camilleri

Why is Apple ignoring this problem? The local library has DVDs for children that would be ideal for my son to view on the iPad rather than on the TV. Is there a wifi enabled player that communicates to the iPad via an app? The library in my area and in many areas do this for free. Do we really need to upgrade to streaming services and other methods to use the content that is already available and easily monitored by parents?

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Answer 8

Courcoul

Level 6

18,732 points

Jun 23, 2017 1:17 PM in response to Sierra Sky Pilot

Read your own thread on this same subject for more info...

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