Just asking. Is there going to be an update for the libdvdread package (unchanged since 2009) in the "l" set from 4.1.3 to 4.2.0?

Since last summer commercial DVDs issued by some studios in the US have exploited a flaw in libdvdread-4.1.3 which has prevented such discs from being playable with the libdvdread-4.1.3 /libdvdcss 1.2.11 combo. Players relying on this lib version usually segfault when accessing these discs. libdvdread-4.2.0 /libdvdcss 1.2.12 can access such discs correctly.

While some distros have had binaries for libdvdread 4.2.0 out since late last year, for my Slack machines I've needed to uninstall slackware-current's libdvdread-4.1.3 package and compile/install 4.2.0 from source here: http://dvdnav.mplayerhq.hu/releases/

The compiled libdvdread-4.2.0 seems to work fine. And in combination with libdvdcss-1.2.12 (the SlackBuild for 1.2.11 works when modified for the updated source) the formerly unreadable discs now all seem to play correctly.

Quite frankly, considering that the number of people who watch DVD's from Linux must be very small, I'm amazed that the "studios" went to the trouble of circumventing flaws in any Linux library. Or maybe Linux really is growing. That would be great. Maybe these same "studios" could perhaps even bring out a few games as well :-)

You should email Pat and let him know about this situation.

In the meantime, though, you can use the libdvdread SlackBuild in /sources to build and upgrade to a 4.2.0 package.

Oddly enough, the existence of a SlackBuild for libdvdread-4.1.3 in /sources slipped my mind. It works for 4.2.0 source once the version line is edited. The resulting 4.2.0 package appears to work also.

I'll email Pat as you suggest.

I am not surprised. There is Linux installed on many embedded devices like TVs, settop boxes etc. Not necessarily all with DVD drive, but able to play a ripped DVD folder.

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