How to Remove DRM from WMV files

It seems like one of the trendiest questions of the moment, "How to remove DRM from WMV?" Downloaded Windows Media Files come with the protection by the DRM License itself. If you try to play it for the first time on your PC, then Windows Media Player will try and look for the license on the PC.

The DRM license feature coming along with your media file launches Internet Explorer automatically and takes you through the whole process of license acquisition. Its dialog box behaves in a same way as a normal Internet Explorer window. Moreover, this HTML code can be malevolent script. of course, if you have bought the WMV file and paid for it, then there is no problem. But generally it is not such case. Again, more often it used come from a certain file sharing program such as Kazaa.

It has been noticed that most of the WMV files on Kazaa are protected by DRM license protection. When the required license is obtained, then it displays a load of unwanted junk and pop up ads. It is also accompanied with spywares and malwares. It has been common feature that there will be an endeavor to hijack the internet browser. This is also true with video files. So, a big question remains…"Is there any legal way to remove DRM from WMV files?" To find this answer, let us have a look at DRM and WMV first.

DRM
Digital Rights Management (DRM), is the most usually found in music files and movies, is not meant for the just basic sole purpose of copy-protection of audio, video, and e-books, but it is meant for the full digital content protection, engulfing a comprehensive wider aspects from release to end user's ways to use the content.

WMV
Windows Media Video (WMV) was developed by Microsoft and these files are playable using Windows Media Player. There are numerous portable media players available which support WMV playback. You can use a .WMV file for either streaming or downloading.

It’s explicable that you would like to remove DRM from WMV files. Sadly, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) makes it a crime to get around DRM technology. Don’t get dishearten, there are ways…Yes, you can play a windows media video file without obtaining a license from the digital rights management server. There are several ways of achieving this task of removing of DRM from WMV.

1. Illegal Approach - Of late, several programs which can remove the DRM from encoded WMV files have been appeared. These programs literally get around DRM technology to produce un-encoded files without any restrictions. For example, FairUse4WM program can do the job for you but it works only with audio format and not video. In same manner, QTFairUse can be used by iTunes customers; again for music files and not for iTunes videos. So, technically, your problem is not solved fully by this solution. Moreover, it’s a criminal offence according to federal law.

2. Less risky and Legal Approach - DMCA makes exceptions for recording from analog outputs. As a result, you can take advantage of this so-called analog loop-hole to record the playback of your DRM files. DRM Removal software is such a solution that offers removal of DRM from WMV files by quick recording. It can also decode DRM from M4V, WMA, M4P, M4B, AA and AAC.

a. Tunebite – It is a program meant for converting digital media files. This program converts audio and video files from formats like WMA, M4A, M4P, AA, M4B, WMV and M4V. the software works on the principle of interception of the output from Windows Media or iTunes player. As the output has been decoded by a supported media player, Tunebites isn’t removing DRM in technical language. Although, Tunebite may have found a way to evade DMCA restrictions, end users are still compelled to limit their copying for personal use only.

At first, Install and run the Tunebite, follow the instructions offered by configuration wizard to configure the sound card and high-speed digital recording. Then select your desired output audio and video formats. Tunebite Supports conversion to MP3, WMA and OGG music files. If your PC is not having MP3 encoder, then download it to import lame_enc.dll into the program. In case of video files, check "record video", when original music file contains video" and click "Next" to select the output format you like from WMV or MPEG4. Now, click "Add" button or drag WMV files that you would like to remove DRM to the main interface. Just click "GO" button and record your unprotected WMV.

b. Analog Whole – It is another alternative for cleaning up your DRM protection from music files. Like Tunebite, Analog Whole intercepts audio after it’s already been decoded by a media player. But, there is a difference. Analog Whole can’t convert video files like Tunebite. While Tunebite is a commercial program, Analog Whole is open source and available at no cost. If you’re primarily interested in freeing your extensive iTunes collection Analog Whole might be your best option.

However, it has to be remembered that this method of capturing audio and video content can lead to a significant loss of quality.