How to Use GiliSoft Video DRM Protection

Use a Fixed Playback Password

1. Choose the fixed-password encryption mode

   In Encryption Settings, choose Fixed play password works on all computers when shared access across computers is intended. Keep the matching Encryption Key and Project ID.

2. Create the protected output

   Configure the required settings and complete Output. This mode is different from an individual PC-bound credential.

3. Generate the matching password

   Open Create Play Password, enter the saved Encryption Key, and leave User's Machine Code empty as instructed by that dialog. Set any required limits, then create and record the resulting Playback Password.

4. Test the intended shared access

   Use the completed output, matching player, and generated password on the computers intended for this delivery. Treat the fixed credential as shareable; choose PC Binding when access must be tied to one computer.

See the Create Play Password screenshot for the empty Machine Code instruction.

Bind Playback to a Windows PC

1. Choose computer-bound playback

   In Encryption Settings, choose the mode where one play password works on only one computer with hardware binding. Review the computer hardware choices offered by the installed edition.

2. Export and obtain the viewer Machine Code

   Complete the protected output, then have the viewer open it on the intended Windows PC with its required player. Ask the viewer to send the Machine Code shown there.

3. Generate the PC-bound Playback Password

   Open Create Play Password, enter the matching Encryption Key and that exact User's Machine Code, set the viewer text and limits, and generate the credential. Follow the password task for the complete sequence.

4. Verify the correct and wrong computers

   Test the issued credential on its approved PC and on a different PC. For a second approved computer, obtain that computer's Machine Code and issue access for it rather than reusing the first PC's credential.

The Encryption Settings screenshot shows the password mode and hardware-binding controls. For delivery-specific guidance, see bind video playback to a PC or storage device.

Bind Playback to a USB Drive

1. Select the removable-media binding mode

   In Encryption Settings, use the device-bound mode and choose Bind USB disk or Removable disk where enabled. Keep a record of the intended delivery device.

2. Prepare the bound output for that device

   Follow the installed edition's device-selection and output prompts for the target USB drive. Complete encryption, retain the publisher key, and prepare the matching player and viewing credential. Simply putting an ordinary encrypted file on a USB drive does not establish USB binding.

3. Test the USB delivery and a copied package

   Open the completed delivery with the intended USB device connected. Also test the package copied away from that device, using the same viewing setup. Confirm the configured media binding controls playback rather than judging protection only by whether the file can be copied.

See Encryption Settings for the removable-disk binding control and protect videos shared on USB for the delivery checklist.

Prepare a Disc-Bound Delivery

1. Choose the available CD Binding workflow

   Use CD Binding when it is offered by your installed edition for CD/DVD delivery. Confirm the target media and reader requirements for that workflow before preparing copies.

2. Create the delivery for the intended disc

   Follow that workflow's media-selection and output instructions to create the protected delivery, then prepare its required player and credential. Do not assume burning an ordinary GEM or EXE file to a disc establishes disc binding.

3. Verify playback from the actual media

   Test the delivered CD/DVD in the intended reader and attempt playback of a copy moved away from it. Check the configured binding and include the correct player and viewer instructions with the disc.

The illustrated Encryption Settings screen shows PC and USB controls, not a CD setup dialog. Use the CD Binding controls supplied by the edition you install.

Create a Viewer Playback Password

1. Locate the matching project key

   Use the saved Project ID to find the Encryption Key used for this output. Open Create Play Password and enter that key; the project label is not a replacement for it.

2. Fill in the Machine Code for PC Binding

   Enter User's Machine Code exactly as supplied from the intended viewer computer. For fixed-password playback, follow the dialog instruction to leave it empty. Do not mix codes from a support PC and the viewer PC.

3. Enter the viewer watermark text

   In Text Watermark, enter a learner name, client ID, or short delivery label. The appearance comes from Basic Settings, not from this text field.

4. Choose the viewer access limits

   Enable and set only the required expiration, play-count, seeking, or preview restrictions. Follow expiration and playback limits to check their behavior.

5. Create, record, and send the credential

   Select Create Play Password, then use Copy Play Password or Export Password when enabled. Send the resulting Playback Password to the viewer and retain the publisher key and issuance record privately.

For credential-specific questions, see Playback Passwords and publisher keys.

Set Expiration and Playback Limits

1. Open the matching password setup

   In Create Play Password, enter the project Encryption Key and the correct Machine Code when PC Binding is used. Set the limits before generating the viewer credential.

2. Set the explicit end date and verification method

   Enable Expiration Date and enter the intended calendar date. Review Verification method when enabled. This is an end-date field, not an automatic number of days from first playback.

3. Set play count, seeking, or preview restrictions

   Enable Play Count Limit and enter the allowed count if required. Use Disable seek video only when jumping through the lesson must be restricted. Review the separate Video Viewing Restrictions (seconds) field if a limited preview is intended.

4. Generate and test a sample credential

   Create the password, record its rules, and test permitted playback and the configured limit with sample access rather than consuming a learner's live allowance. If the viewer policy changes later, do not assume editing the publisher dialog rewrites an already-issued password.

The password maker screenshot shows these checkboxes and fields. Read disable access after expiration for the end-date workflow.

Add a Viewer Watermark

1. Choose the watermark appearance before export

   Open Advanced Settings > Basic Settings. Select a floating watermark across the player, a floating edge watermark, or a fixed position. Set movement frequency, font color, font size, and spacing with the available controls.

2. Set the viewer text when issuing access

   Create the protected output with that style. In Create Play Password, enter the viewer or delivery identifier in Text Watermark, then generate that viewer's credential.

3. Verify the completed playback

   Play the delivered output with the generated password and inspect slides, faces, and captions. Adjust style before creating a replacement output if needed; changing the publisher settings does not update an old delivered copy.

Watermark appearance and viewer text are separate settings. See brand training videos with viewer watermarks for placement considerations.

Open a Protected Video as a Viewer

1. Use the delivered output and matching player

   Keep the protected file with the player or player instructions supplied by the publisher. Use the application intended for that protected format and platform, rather than assuming an ordinary video player will open it.

2. Use the approved computer or delivery media

   For PC Binding, open the content on the intended Windows computer. For USB or CD Binding, use the approved delivery device or disc. Keep the required online verification available.

3. Obtain the issued Playback Password

   For PC Binding, send the displayed Machine Code to the publisher and receive the generated Playback Password. Do not ask for the publisher Encryption Key or substitute another computer's password.

4. Enter the credential and check playback

   Enter the supplied Playback Password and check the intended lesson, audio, watermark, and access rules. If playback fails, send the exact error and delivery details to the publisher and follow playback troubleshooting.

Configure Anti-Copy Controls

1. Open Anti-Copy Settings

   Go to Advanced Settings > Anti-Copy Settings. Review the available virtual-machine, screenshot, input, and process restrictions for the intended viewing environment.

2. Enable the controls needed by the delivery

   Choose only the required checks. The pictured interface includes screenshot restrictions, keyboard or mouse restrictions, Intelligent Anti-Copy, and a list of programs not allowed to run with one process name per line. Keep online blacklist verification compatible with your internet policy.

3. Export and test normal and restricted playback

   Build a sample output and check permitted viewing, seeking, and the software capture or environment restriction you enabled. Use viewer watermarks alongside these controls; an external camera filming a screen is not blocked by a software capture setting.

Add Playback Questions

1. Select a question mode

   Open Advanced Settings > Anti-Copy Questions. Choose Automatic QA Mode for the simple questions described by the interface, or Customized QA Mode for your own prompts.

2. Set the question and timing

   For automatic questions, review Frequency of QA (Mins). For custom questions, fill Question, Answer, and Time to pop up the question (Mins), then use Add Question. Review the resulting list.

3. Create a sample output and test interruptions

   Play through the relevant times, check the question and answer behavior, and adjust the frequency before releasing the course. Use Delete Question or Clear Question when removing unwanted entries.

Customize Viewer Messages and Links

1. Open Ad settings and choose the needed prompts

   In Advanced Settings > Ad settings, enable start or end website pop-ups only when required. Enter the destination links for those selected events.

2. Edit verification and player text

   Use Notification of Verification for viewing instructions. Fill the player title, verification title, purchase text, and purchase link fields that your delivery needs. Keep the publisher Encryption Key out of these messages.

3. Export and verify the viewer presentation

   Open the completed output, inspect the verification prompt and titles, and check every enabled link at the relevant playback event. Correct the package settings before distribution if a link or message is wrong.

Prepare the Player and Toolbox Utilities

1. Open Toolbox and select the delivery tool

   Use Create Your Player when preparing the player for your protected output. Create Password opens the access utility; Upload Password Blacklist supports the configured cancellation workflow.

2. Prepare the player and supporting materials

   Follow the selected tool's prompts for the intended output. Use Custom Player Icon and Sign Your Player.exe when your Windows release process requires them. The Password Generation API Pack is an integration tool, not a viewer credential.

3. Test the exact delivery folder

   Open the protected content with the player you intend to distribute and a sample Playback Password. Send the protected files, required player instructions, and viewer credential, while keeping source videos and publisher keys out of the delivery.

Enable Blacklist Verification Before Export

1. Enable the project blacklist check

   Open Advanced Settings > Play Password Blacklist and enable Enable Password Blacklist before creating the protected output.

2. Secure the administration access

   Use the administration login for the configured verification setup. Replace any default administrator password before release, and keep the service and administration details with the project records.

3. Create the verification-enabled output

   Complete the remaining project settings and export the protected package. Keep its verification service reachable under the anti-copy and internet rules you chose.

4. Test with a sample password before delivery

   First establish successful playback on its intended device. Add that sample Playback Password through the configured management tool or service, save or upload the change, and verify rejection after the player checks the updated list.

This screen configures verification and administrator access; it is not a screenshot of the later blacklist-entry form. A package delivered without this setup does not acquire it merely because a new list is created later.

Revoke an Issued Playback Password

1. Find the exact issued credential

   Match the viewer, project, and approved device in your issuance records. Cancel the Playback Password, not the publisher Encryption Key or Machine Code. Confirm that this delivered package already uses the configured blacklist.

2. Update the configured blacklist

   Open the management service or the Upload Password Blacklist workflow from Toolbox. Add the issued Playback Password and save or upload the updated list through the configured service.

3. Retest on the intended device

   Use the same approved device on which that sample credential previously worked, with online verification available. Confirm it is rejected after the player checks the updated list; testing only on a wrong PC does not prove revocation.

4. Check unaffected access and record the change

   Test a separate valid credential on its approved device and record the cancellation. A shared credential affects its whole group. Revocation does not remotely delete files or immediately update a disconnected player.

Follow how to revoke video access after delivery for cancellation scenarios and the before-and-after test.

Test Allowed and Blocked Playback

1. Establish an authorized sample playback

   Use the exact protected output and player to be delivered, a valid sample password, and the approved device or media. Check video, sound, captions, and the viewer watermark.

2. Test the selected binding rule

   Try a PC-bound credential on another computer, or a media-bound package copied away from its intended USB drive or disc. Check the configured playback result rather than whether the file itself copies.

3. Check the configured limits and cancellation

   Use sample access to test seeking, replay, the intended expiration behavior, and any play or preview limit. For blacklist testing, first prove the credential works on its intended device, then cancel and retest that same access after verification.

4. Release the tested files and preserve the project record

   Confirm a separate valid credential still works on its approved device. Keep the Project ID, Encryption Key, output edition, player version, and issuance records privately so later support and access changes use the correct project.

Use sample credentials for these tests rather than consuming a live viewer's limited play count.

Fix a Protected Video That Will Not Play

1. Identify the failing delivery and access record

   Record the protected output, Project ID, player version, exact error message, and intended PC or media. Find the matching publisher record without posting its Encryption Key publicly.

2. Check credentials, binding, and access limits

   Compare the saved key and issued Playback Password with the output. For PC Binding, verify the intended Machine Code; for media binding, use the approved device. Check expiration, play count, preview limits, and the configured blacklist.

3. Check the complete file, player, and verification path

   Confirm the protected file copied completely, use the matching player, and test the required connectivity. Review conflicts between online checks and internet restrictions. Retest with a known-valid sample on its approved device before changing the delivery.

Keep the exact error and test results with the support record. Do not replace a device-bound credential with an unrelated fixed password simply to bypass a failed check.