Understanding and Removing DRM Protection

DRM protection is used by copyright holders and others in order to put limitations on how digital data is used. There are a number of different types of DRM, but they all boil down to restricting the use of the data to specific uses as defined by the provider of the content. A number of major companies use DRM, such as Amazon, Microsoft, AOL, the BBC and Apple. While these companies don’t necessarily use DRM on all of their products, they may on a number of important lines.

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Proponents of DRM suggest that the technology is necessary in order for the holders of copyright to maintain their work and keep it from being duplicated. Opponents of DRM suggest that DRM goes way beyond copyright law, is unnecessarily restrictive and may even violate the rights of users. For most folks who aren’t looking to pirate audio or video files, DRM has become something of an annoyance at best, and prevented them from using the files they’ve purchased in the way they would like to use them.

Accordingly, there have been many different efforts over the past few years to get around DRM protection. Some of the most popular ways of removing DRM protection have come from software programs designed specifically for that purpose. These programs can bypass the DRM on a file and create a new file that the user can then copy or view through whatever device or method they would prefer to use.

One of the most common ways for removing DRM protection today is with SoundTaxi. SoundTaxi is a powerful program that will allow you to remove DRM protection from your audio files and convert those files to more easily-used formats, such as MP3, WAV and AAC. SoundTaxi does all of this at a high speed, while some of the competing products move along in real time.

One of the versions of this program will actually allow you to go about removing DRM protection on video files, as well. That premium version, known as SoundTaxi Pro+VideoRip, lets you do with video files what you can do with audio files on the regular version of SoundTaxi.

There are actually several tools in the full SoundTaxi Suite that can help you with removing DRM protection. These tools include:

• A converter to convert your DRM or non-DRM audio and video files to your preferred format, which you can then use with your preferred device.
• A web video downloader. This will allow you to capture and save online video, such as you might view on a website like YouTube, to your computer.
• A Music Downloader that will allow you to find music online.
• A Radio Recorder that will let you listen to web-based radio stations and then record DRM-free copies of songs from those stations.
• DVD Joker, which will allow you to make a backup copy of your DVD discs.

If you’re frustrated because your audio and video files are encoded with DRM making it impossible for you to view or play them on your preferred device, SoundTaxi is a wonderful way to go about removing DRM protection.

Top 5 DRM Removal Programs

DRM or Digital Rights Management can be a frustrating thing, especially if you’re just trying to take a music or video file that you’ve already paid for and view or listen to that file in an alternative format. In many cases, you can only play DRM files on specific media players or with a specific program. The ability to use your downloads as you see fit is hampered by DRM, to say the least.

Fortunately, there are a number of DRM removal programs on the market that will not only bypass DRM, but that do it in a way that’s completely legal and that doesn’t tamper with the encryption of the DRM file. Here’s a short list of some of the top DRM removal programs out today:

1. SoundTaxi. We list SoundTaxi first, because among the top DRM removal programs this one seems to be a user favorite. The interface for SoundTaxi is relatively simple to use, and the sheer number and types of files that this program can use to remove DRM is thoroughly impressive. In addition to removing DRM, you can use SoundTaxi to convert files from one format to the other. The top-shelf version of this program, SoundTaxi Pro+VideoRip also has an add-in that will let you remove DRM from video files, as well as audio files.
2. Tunebite. Tunebite is a component of Audials One, a multimedia suite. This tool lets you remove DRM by using the so-called “analog loophole.” Instead of stripping the DRM encryption from your original DRM protected file, Tunebite plays and records the file in a way that bypasses DRM. Tunebit supports a number of different file types, and it also lets you convert video files. The suite includes a ringtone maker, as well as the capability to burn your unprotected files to a CD.

Download Tunebite

3. Noteburner. This DRM removal program relies on a different type of process to be able to remove DRM from your audio files. Noteburner creates a virtual CD recorder on your system. It uses this recorder to create a virtual CD, from where you can then rip your DRM-free files. However, the big limitation of Noteburner is that it relies on your media player software to be able to burn those files. If your player doesn’t support a given format type, Noteburner isn’t going to do much for you. If it does, however, you can transfer your burned files to whatever player or device you want to use them with.

Download NoteBurner Audio Converter

4. MuvAudio. This DRM removal program supports a number of different file formats, and operates in a fashion similar to SoundTaxi. To use MuvAudio with some types of files, you’ll have to download plugins from the manufacturer,s website.
   Download MuvAudio
5. AppleMacSoft DRM Converter. Most of the DRM removal programs on the market today work only on a PC. If you’re a Mac user, this program is pretty much your only option. Like Noteburner, this one uses a virtual CD-RW drive and your iTunes application to be able to burn the DRM-free copiee.
   Download AppleMacSoft DRM Converter

Look for more DRM Removers and information about DRM in general here at Software start. While we are at the free programs, do not hesitate to try out this free antivirus software.