Movie streaming/downloading with free software
So, it seems that services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc. are not compatible with free software, because they employ DRM and require non-free software to run (unless I misunderstand)?
In that case, is there any alternative movie streaming/download service that is both legal and compatible with free software, or are free-software users basically caught between the following options?:
a) Accept the DRM
b) Break the law
c) Don't watch the content?
If that's the case, then what is the least-bad option? I know this is kind of a vague question and probably depends on personal preference. I mean, I want to support the movie industry and I'm fine paying for the pleasure of watching a film once in a while, but I want to do it in a way that also respects the free-software philosophy.
had you tried? >
http://publicdomainmovies.info/ (only if you like classic cinema)
otherwise i use torrents/amule or free movies on archive.org, vimeo or youtube.
nothing fancy.
Hi Alij
I'll add amule to my list of learning how to operate; I want a full featured torrent, thanks for sharing!
aMule is not a BitTorrent client. Have you tried Trisquel's default client, Transmission? There is not much to learn: open a .torrent file (that you typically find on the Web), optionally define where to download and with what priority and you are done.
Okay, then what is aMule better for than transmission? and I haven't (but I will) used transmission.
I am a translator!
> Have you tried Trisquel's default client, Transmission? There is not much to learn..
Have you tried the gold of the gold, aka 'rtorrent'?
There is very little to learn but once you do you never go back :)
Of course, i use transmission for torrents and also amule (an edk client)
Thanks for all the comments, this is an interesting read. Tbh, I think I'll just stick to DVDs for now ;)
Which moves on nicely to my next question: what program is best for watching DVDs?
I simply use Trisquel's default video player, Totem. But any other reasonable video player (e.g., VLC) would do as well.
For most commercial DVDs, you first have to install "libdvdcss2", executing this command in a terminal:
$ sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/install-css.sh
Thanks Magic Banana. I have another question though: is this still be subject to DVD region restrictions? I have a few UK DVDs (region 2) and they don't seem to be playing using Totem on my US Trisquel laptop.
I am pretty sure libdvdcss bypasses that DRM (one of the first!).
I tried a US DVD and that seems to play fine on Totem.
However, I installed the libdvdcss package and I still seem to be having trouble playing region 2 DVDs. They don't work in Totem and if I try to play them in mpv, it seems to decode some of the CSS keys, but then says 'Failed to recognize file format'. I'll look into it some more later and see if I can figure it out.
For me,
Movie/TV Shows Streaming = Kodi
Downloading = youtube-dl or classic torrent clients.
You can also combine youtube-dl with mpv, good solution to avoid websites crapware.
Install Kodi (libre software),
http://kodi.wiki/view/HOW-TO:Install_Kodi_for_Linux
install the Covenant add-on,
https://addonhq.com/covenant-kodi-addon/
and enable downloads in Covenant.
http://koditips.com/kodi-covenant-tips-tricks-trakt-debrid/
In Covenant, search for the show or film you're looking for, and click on the episode or film to get a list of sources. Left click on a source to stream it and right click to download.
EDIT: I just reread your post, and while any laws this solution might break are not worth respecting, it does not address your desire to support filmmakers. Some ways of doing so might be seeing films in theaters or buying merchandise. However, as with buying copies of high-budget films, most of your money will not go to the artists, and what does will go to artists who do not require your financial support. If you'd like to support film as an artistic medium, a better use of your money might be to help fund independent film projects. Or if you want to go to a movie theater, consider supporting a local one that contributes to its community culturally by screening a more diverse variety of films than large chains do. Modern copyright law is not designed to benefit artists, and any incidental benefit they might receive is no substitute for supporting them directly.
Isn't it better to download it using torrent?
I've always used torrent, never wanted nor tried to get used to streaming, so this issue you raised never really bothered me.