Abstract: The same level of protection and ability to associate rights to media content available with a stand alone media player is provided with a software media player. In an example configuration, a peripheral device comprising an optical disc drive capable of reading HD DVD media, and comprising a flash memory microcontroller with cryptographic capabilities, is coupled to a host game console via a universal serial bus (USB) interface. Media content from the peripheral device is rendered on the host game console. Software protection and management are provided utilizing various cryptographic keys and protocols. Software protection and management meets the prescribed rules of the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) license agreement with respect to consumer electronics players while allowing the playback of media content (e.g., movies) to be performed by software.