Yasa Video Converter (to convert vob to wmv) by YasaSoft

[MelissaY]

I am trying to convert .vob to .wmv files using a software program that I found online.
It's called YASA Video Converter and I paid $35 for the full program.
I received the email with the download link/file and unzipped the file.
It contained two folders.
1. ReadME.txt (text document)
2. yasavideolicense.reg (registration entries)

I opened the text doc and this is what it says:

Dear user, Thank you for your order!
The file yasavideolicense.reg is a temporary license to help you unlock
YASA Video Converter and use full functiaon of YASA Video Converter
at once after you purchased. Install the license into your system with a
double click to yasavideolicense.reg on Windows Explorer. This is only a
temporary license. We will create the new register information for you and
send it to you on latish EMail. If you still don't know how to install the license.
please read http://www.magiciso.com/howtoreg.doc
If you have any question, Please let us Know.
Home: http://www.yasasoft.com/videoconverter/
EMAIL: support@magiciso.com
Thank you. Best Regards. YASASOFT, Inc.

I'm super-duper sketchy about changing my registry.
I've purchased software online before.
And never-ever been asked to alter my registry with a temporary license.
These are the instructions. http://www.magiciso.com/howtoreg.doc

I'm not really sure if this is legit?
Can anyone help me figure this out?
Or has anyone experienced this kind of a download?
I'd appreciate any assistance or input! Thanks! Melissa

[PhilliePhan]

I'm not really sure if this is legit?
Can anyone help me figure this out?
Or has anyone experienced this kind of a download?
I'd appreciate any assistance or input! Thanks! Melissa

Hi Melissa,
I would guess that this is legit. However, you are right to be suspicious - this is odd. Most programs will do this automatically when you buy full version.....
If you do keep the program, I suggest backing up the registry with a tool such as ERUNT or creating a System Restore point before proceeding.

* Also, if you'd like to PM me the contents of the .reg file, I'd be happy to look at it. We'd have to do it via PM so that it is not available for all to see for obvious reasons

Frankly, I can recommend Three FREEWARE programs with which I am familiar that should do the job for you:

http://mediacoder.sourceforge.net/
http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html
http://handbrake.fr/

You ought to check those out. My brother uses handbrake for IPod and PSP movies and likes it....

I have had no issues with any of these!

Cheers
PP

[cauzomb]

Hello, I have moved this to the "Universal Software" section. Keep in mind that we don't provide support or allow discussions of any software that can be used to circumvent copy protection. It's best to ask the author of the software in question.. They may not want to tell you exactly what the registry changes are, particularly; if it's related to enabling the full feature set; but if you get the following statements confirmed in writing via email; from the author, that says: The registry changes are not violating your privacy in any way: The application, software and or registry changes do not attempt to gather user activity information or other information that can be used to personally identify the user: The application does not attempt to compramise the functionality and security of the users computer.. If the author/vendor of the software confirms these things; and that the registry changes are simply to allow the full feature set of the product to be enabled/registerred, the email/document would hold up in court, incase a problem should occur, due to their registry changes to your computer.... Check their privacy policy and software waranty first; then if you are not satisfied with the results; offer them the chance to respond to your concerns via email and maybe ask them if they can send you a full version of the application in the form of a CD or DVD and "cd-key" or product registration key. Incase of system failure or data corruption "not related to their software" just in general; that way you could re-install your paid for software without having to re-download the software/reregister etc...

A good protection plan would be to use a good/free firewall that can monitor outgoing traffic; one that prompts you to "allow/deny" internet access to each program, if a program is attempting to access the network connection, or internet etc.. Then you could tell if this application was trying to phone home and either allow or deny the opperation..

[PhilliePhan]

Keep in mind that we don't provide support or allow discussions of any software that can be used to circumvent copy protection.

Really? Since when?

Martin's tutorial for DVDShrink has been up for as long as I've been here. Not to mention the fact that we host a download of said program.....

http://articles.networktechs.com/3-p1.php

I know he has a disclaimer in the article, but we all know what that program is for....

BTW - None of the programs I listed rip DVDs. MediaCoder needs a special enabler package and Handbrake no longer supports DVD decription.

A good protection plan would be to use a good/free firewall that can monitor outgoing traffic; one that prompts you to "allow/deny" internet access to each program, if a program is attempting to access the network connection, or internet etc.. Then you could tell if this application was trying to phone home and either allow or deny the opperation..

Agreed!


PP

[cauzomb]

Really? Since when?

Martin's tutorial for DVDShrink has been up for as long as I've been here. Not to mention the fact that we host a download of said program.....

http://articles.networktechs.com/3-p1.php

I know he has a disclaimer in the article, but we all know what that program is for....

BTW - None of the programs I listed rip DVDs. MediaCoder needs a special enabler package and Handbrake no longer supports DVD decription.



Agreed!


PP

Forum guidlines from way back; posted by and updated from time to time by F1; he's left the building as far as I can tell, but the guidlines/forum rules still apply. Martin has his download/freeware section, just keep in mind that discussion of any "illegal" activity such as piracy, curcumventing copy protection etc, may result in an infraction, thread removal; member banning etc.. I know this isn't a discussion of such things yet.... Just letting the OP know to NOT get into "how do I copy this DVD to MPEG or WMV to play on my "such and such" because IF the DVD/media is a comercial product/ which you did not author your self; or don't have permission from the author of the media; and this media has copy protection. Making a "copy" of it would be "bad" and talking about how to do it here would be violating this forums guidelines...

As long as this discussion stays related to "installing your application" that's OK.

[PhilliePhan]

Martin has his download/freeware section, just keep in mind that discussion of any "illegal" activity such as piracy, curcumventing copy protection etc, may result in an infraction, thread removal; member banning etc..

So, writing a "How to Copy a DVD" article falls outside these rules.... LOL!
Give me a break.

Hypocrisy at its finest.

No wonder people stopped posting here - y'all chase them away. Heck, if this sort of thing gets your panties in a bunch, why not just say that the views expressed are not those of the staff and ownership of IANAG......

BTW - By my understanding of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act as well as the WIPO provision, it doesn't matter if one owns the media one is copying, as in Martin's example.
Simply circumventing copy-protection places you in violation of the DMCA.

Frankly, I think one should be able to back up any media one owns - especially when kids are prone to putting peanut butter in dvd players..... LOL!


PP

[cauzomb]

So, writing a "How to Copy a DVD" article falls outside these rules.... LOL!
Give me a break.

Hypocrisy at its finest.

No wonder people stopped posting here - y'all chase them away. Heck, if this sort of thing gets your panties in a bunch, why not just say that the views expressed are not those of the staff and ownership of IANAG......

BTW - By my understanding of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act as well as the WIPO provision, it doesn't matter if one owns the media one is copying, as in Martin's example.
Simply circumventing copy-protection places you in violation of the DMCA.

Frankly, I think one should be able to back up any media one owns - especially when kids are prone to putting peanut butter in dvd players..... LOL!


PP

Good point about working backup's. [edit] Martin does have a disclaimer in regards to ownership of media; I thought there was a provission in the copyright laws to allow a working backup of media for the owner of the legally purchased media; the DMCA thing may be like state vs federal, I am not the intarweb police, but I do have to enforce the forum guidlines, I don't want to scare you off; for all I know MellisaY's just trying to convert a home video or something, just keep it clean so I don't have to :P