One Million Fake DVDs Have Been Shredded

More than a million counterfeit DVDs, with an estimated street value of $21 million have been destroyed in Sydney.

Actor Roy Billing, who starred in the popular Underbelly police drama, was on hand to help police carry out the court order to shred the pirated movie and TV show DVDs on Tuesday.

The discs are believed to be the largest seizure of copyright infringing DVDs in Australia.

Mr Billing said it was a good day for Australia's film and television industry because counterfeit DVDs and illegal downloading were undermining its growth and sustainability.

"It's show business and people have to make money out of it for it to continue."

He said many production companies relied on the extra money DVD sales brought in, after theatrical release, to cover their costs and fund their next project.

Mr Billing said he was amazed at the quality of the counterfeit DVDs.

The discs were discovered in 2013 when police raided a western Sydney home and uncovered an international syndicate that imported, advertised, packaged and sold the pirated DVDs.

NSW Police Superintendent, Paul Carrette, said most of the customers who bought the discs on EBay weren't aware they were buying fakes.

He said people needed to stay aware of what they were buying online and to contact police if they had any concerns about goods they had received.

- AAP