DTR Limited, a company which specialises in optical disc security and access control has announced the availability of its Protected Disc Recorder (PDF).  At a first glance, this would seem like a writer targeted at consumers and businesses to protect their content against unauthorised access.  However, it is also targeted at the entertainment industry to allow consumers to write purchased “download-to-burn” content to CD/DVD, which is in turn is copy protected against the consumer. 

The drive features a USB connection designed to work with PCs and compatible game consoles and features two modes of operation.  In one mode, it functions as a standard DVD writer and in the secure mode it allows the secure writing of copy protected content along with any additional copy protection and access control measures provided.  It supports the writing of CSS protected DVD content, various DVD anti-piracy measures such as Sony's ARccOS and games with the same level of copy protection as on retail PC and console game discs.  This can all be done using ordinary blank recordable CD and DVD media.  For example, the drive would allow a consumer to purchase a game as a download and write it to disc where the disc would end up with the same level of copy protection as if they bought the retail disc version of the game.  Unlike a pressed disc, it is also possible to apply a unique signature to each disc to allow discs to be traced.

Copy protection levels can be varied from that of retail discs to levels where only a specific PDR or a group of PDRs can read back.  For example, a business could store confidential content on discs that can only be read back in the PDRs owned by the company.  At present, the PDR is capable of writing CDs and DVDs, while upcoming HD versions scheduled for the 3rd quarter will be capable of writing HD DVD and Blu-ray discs.

So far, there is no mention about the writer’s specifications, such as read and write speeds or formats (DVD-RAM, double layer, etc.).  No pricing has been announced either, however, it will need to be comparable to current USB DVD writers for consumers to consider purchasing one. 

Further information can be read on this Net Security article and at DTR Limited.