PS3 hacker tical has managed to disable the annoying Cinavia DRM protection on the PS3 console. In short he basically found the files on the PS3 responsible for the checks and patched them. The file he released is known as change_cinavia_files.tcl for the PS3MFW builder – allowing you to create your own modfied firmware with the cinavia patch.

Currently the fix only works for DLNA playback and copying and is still being worked on for AVCHD and BD playback.

To quote:

I have traced the Cinavia DRM checks to 4 separate sprx files and after a long time trying to patch these files I have found that 3 of those files are present in the DEBUG (DEX) firmware don’t have the Cinavia DRM checks enabled. Files are videoplayer_util sprx, videoplayer_plugin sprx and videoeditor_plugin sprx.

I have successfully copied these 3 sprx files from DEBUG (DEX) FW 341 over to my retail PS3 unit running OFW 341 using dev_blind and Cinavia seems to be now disabled. I’ve confirmed this by playing back a number of Cinavia affected video files.

This means that Cinavia is now disabled for all DLNA playback and copying, but Cinavia checks on AVCHD and BD playback are still present with Message Code 3 that mutes the audio as the sprx file with the Cinavia check bdp_plugin sprx is not present in DEX firmware because BD playback is disabled in DEBUG. If someone is able to patch Cinavia out of bdp_plugin sprx this will be solved too.

I have created a new task for PS3MFW so this can be easily made part of any new MFW’s as needed. Any FW version that has had the DEX firmware leaked should be able to be used to create a CFW of the same version. eg DEX 3.41 -> MFW 341 or DEX 355 -> MFW 355 etc etc. Don’t use sprx files from different FW versions! See git hacks for change_cinavia_files task source.

Big thanks to the KaKaRoTo and REBUG team for their community contributions as this would have never been possible without the knowledge they’ve shared with us.

PLEASE NOTE I DO NOT OFFER ANY GUARANTEE WHEN MESSING WITH YOU PS3 SO DOING ANYTHING TO YOUR PS3 IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. I WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE IF YOU DAMAGE YOUR PS3

[Download change_cinavia_files.tcl]

[VIA Git]

[VIA PSX-Scene] - Thanks to manster for original news tip

Sony just keep doing it over and over again, one small problem after another, most recently the 3.41 HDD problem, it appears that another problem has arisen, a user by the name of AdorableNirvash on PS3Trophies has reported having playback problems whilst trying to watch a movie, on his PS3.
He also show’s a video from a Youtube user called alexsaeed8, who has the same problems, here is what alexsaeed8 said:

Recently Ps3 have come out with this new update that automatically downloads and installs this program called “Cinavia” which protects against piracy movies by analyzing the sound of the movie that is playing and compares that to the original version to see if it matches and based on that it will allow or doesn’t allow the ps3 or BRDvd players to play the movie you will get 2 most common messages
1: it will say it can’t play the movie because of a copy right violation.
2: it will say the audio for this movie has been mute and it wont play any more sound just the picture it all depends.
so based on this information i have made a short video of how i been watching movies on my ps3 and by passing the cinavia technology. The only way i been able to watch movies is to speed it up by x1.5 or higher cinavia can’t pick up the sound at that speed and its not so bad once you get use to it at least for now until someone come out with another solution.

And his video:

AdorableNirvash has said that, it seems to be based on audio, but any attempts he has made to try and alter the audio, have given him the same response.

So if this isn’t an isolated incident, then all of us who back up our movies, to play them on our PS3, will be affected, have any of you had this problem.