2mo ago

Is there a way to encrypt or password-protect part of a video?

Updating the situation:

I'd like to do the following: for the first 15 minutes, I want to play the video normally and then either not show the rest or display a frozen image instead.

I occasionally encounter corrupted videos that only show certain parts and not the entire content.

I was wondering if I could replicate such a situation based on my selection. However, I would also like the option to view the entire video normally if I choose to do so through an alternative method

26 comments

There's not video format I know that has embedded encryption, total or partial. Neither I know any video players that would expect the user to introduce a password mid video.
So it's doable but you would probably need to do it all yourself.
Easiest way would really divide the video into multiple parts, the ones you want encrypted and the ones you do not. Then encrypt the files in general and call for decryption before attempting to play the encrypted parts with some external ui element.
- I'd like to do the following: for the first 15 minutes, I want to play the video normally and then either not show the rest or display a frozen image instead.
  I occasionally encounter corrupted videos that only show certain parts and not the entire content.
  I was wondering if I could replicate such a situation based on my selection. However, I would also like the option to view the entire video normally if I choose to do so through an alternative method
  
  What you see is due to file corruption. The bits are not readable.
  What you need can be done. You need a script that takes the video and purposely encrypt part of the data. Here you need to know the file format so you know what tou can encrypt.
  The it's just a matter to run the script to encrypt and decrypt your video as needed.
  Depending of the amount of security you require take into consideration that knowing that part of the video was purposely encrypted it's easy. Decryption of that part would depend on the strength of your algorithm and your key.
  You should also take into account that depending on how the video is compressed (most videos are compressed, raw video takes too much space) you may not be able to cut with much precision the point in witch you want the video to stop being legible, depending of the type of compression it may have a few seconds of video each type which share the same data.
No because it wouldn't be a video anymore. You would need to create your own file format and application to read that thing.
Also why? It seems like a very limited use case and I don't know any scenario where I would need that. No one encrypts videos except for those (idiots) who distribute movies in the theaters or on Blu-ray.
- I'd like to do the following: for the first 15 minutes, I want to play the video normally and then either not show the rest or display a frozen image instead.
  I occasionally encounter corrupted videos that only show certain parts and not the entire content.
  I was wondering if I could replicate such a situation based on my selection. However, I would also like the option to view the entire video normally if I choose to do so through an alternative method
  
  The closest I've seen is those videos where they have to censor it and send you to Patreon for the full version.
Yeah with your own player and format you could do whatever you want
- Thank you, that is the ideal solution I appreciate very much I'm afraid I cannot create my own player or format with my limited knowledge I'm kind of searching a kind of player + a small hack to achieve such goal
This is a very broad question, the answer to which will almost definitely be "yes, but", so knowing what you are trying to achieve would be helpful.
- I'd like to do the following: for the first 15 minutes, I want to play the video normally and then either not show the rest or display a frozen image instead.
  I occasionally encounter corrupted videos that only show certain parts and not the entire content.
  I was wondering if I could replicate such a situation based on my selection. However, I would also like the option to view the entire video normally if I choose to do so through an alternative method
Back in the day, you could do that in a flash presentation. (Sorta)
But without using something more powerful like that I wouldn't expect it to be possible.
- You could use Ruffle since its an emulator for Flash:
  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruffle_(software)
  https://github.com/ruffle-rs/ruffle
  Websites like HomestarRunner use this so you can still experience the site as it was intended.
Have 2 files? The encrypted full version, and the 15min version with a frozen image tacked on at the end of the video for X amount of time.
- I was thinking having the same 1 file can only play the first 15 min through a usual player as well as playable in full with another configured way
  
  I know you want one file, but sometime the "workaround" is the way to go. At least, that is how I would solve the issue.
  I'm not really sure what your end goal is, I imagine you have a website with a 15min preview and a screen at the end end to say "enter access code now". If the code is entered you point to a second video and set to start at the 15min marker.
No. You have to chop it up.
- dilemma is to create only 1 video file -stored at hard disk or cloud) can be normally viewed partially as well as in full only with a password etc
Just part?
- I'd like to do the following: for the first 15 minutes, I want to play the video normally and then either not show the rest or display a frozen image instead.
  I occasionally encounter corrupted videos that only show certain parts and not the entire content.
  I was wondering if I could replicate such a situation based on my selection. However, I would also like the option to view the entire video normally if I choose to do so through an alternative method

26 comments