In computer architecture class I chose to do a project on DRM, thinking there ought to be alot of resources out there.

However, it turns out that most info there is conserns moral/philospohy about the subject; or software implementations like Apple and Windows Media Player put on theyr file formats.

Does anyone know of any hardware related resources about DRM? For instance how the Playstation 2 DRM works and how modchips worked around it?

Google "HDCP".

http://www.xbox-linux.org/wiki/The_Hidden_Boot_Code_of_the_Xbox
I don't know anything about PS2 though, sorry.

I believe the PS2 has a special bootcode embedded onto the DVD during manufacturing. Reproducing this bootcode with standard DVD burners is next to impossible unless you have really special hardware. So when you burn a DVD, the bootcode isn't there. And thus the PS2 doesn't know what to do with the disk. The modchip simply injects the bootcode corresponding to your systems region code on boot/load of CD - this also means that legitimate disks from abroad, like Japanese disks, can be played on an American system.

Thats my understanding of it, anyways. Right off the top of my head.

Thanks, these helped. :)

I'll beleive I'll be using both HDCP and xbox. Also the xbox article was a good read.