Does Microsoft's Media Center Let TV Producers Block Shows From Being Recorded?
from the sleazy-if-true dept
And here we go again with rumors about questionable DRM tactics involving Microsoft and NBC Universal. Just days after a (later denied, after first being confirmed) report that Microsoft was going to put a "copyright cop" into Zune devices, users of Microsoft's Vista Media Center were upset to find that they were unable to record certain NBC Universal television shows earlier this week. Instead, they received error messages reading: "Restrictions set by the broadcaster and/or originator prohibit recording of this program." That would suggest, at the very least, that Microsoft's Media Center does allow content broadcasters to block shows from being recorded -- even if it turns out that they didn't block these particular shows on purpose. My guess is that this was an accident in this case, because it would be quite surprising to find out that NBC Universal and Microsoft would do this officially without any kind of announcement. However, given that other DVR systems out there do not have any such restrictions, this should serve as yet another reason not to trust Microsoft and its DRM efforts. Update: Some folks in the comments reminded us that TiVo had a similar problem a year and a half ago, which was equally problematic. There are still other DVR offerings out there that do not include these "features."
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Filed Under: drm, dvrs, media center, time shifting
Companies: microsoft, nbc universal
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Another wrong "fact" by Mike
Another incorrect "fact" by Mike - Tivo had a very similiar "accident" about 1.5 years ago in which a similiar message was displayed when some users tried to record what I believe was a "Simpsons" episode.
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Re: Another wrong "fact" by Mike
Yikes. My statement was that there are other DVRs out there that do not have this, not that *EVERY* DVR out there doesn't have this. The fact that TiVo also has this feature is a good point to know, but doesn't make the original statement false.
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Re: Re: Another wrong "fact" by Mike
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Re: Re: Another wrong "fact" by Mike
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Re: Re: Re: Another wrong
Even if we ignore your lame attempt at unwarranted Mike-bashing, it was your OWN quotation of Mike's words that clearly shows he didn't say "every other DVR system", "all other DVR systems", or anything similar. I guess your weak attempt at a "gotcha" on Mike doesn't include reading comprehension ;)
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Re: Re: Another wrong
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Re: Re: Re: Another wrong
you just might be dumber then dirt, had you considered that? In which English does the word "all" become auto inserted into sentences?
"other DVR systems out there do not have any such restrictions" means exactly what it says and not what you made up - as long as there is one DVR without such restrictions, Mike is right and you are moron.
carry on
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Another wrong
The statement "dogs have three legs", is a false statement even without the word "all" because not all dogs have three legs. On the other hand, the statement "some dogs have three legs" is true because it is qualified by the word "some". Similarly, the statement "I will pay you $100 on Monday" does not mean the same thing as "I will pay you some of $100 on Monday".
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Another wrong
Um. No. If I say "This deli is out of roast beef, but others have it" that implies that *some* other delis are likely to have roast beef. It's implying that not all delis are out of roast beef.
Same thing as saying "other DVRs do not have this feature." It simply means that not all DVRs have it. That TiVo has it does not make the statement false.
In no way did my original sentence mean that no other DVR products had such a feature. Considering the fact that we've written about other DVRs that *do* have it, I never would have said that *all* other DVRs don't have that. If I'd meant to say ALL, I would have written "all."
I understand that you desperately want to prove me wrong, but on this one I was not wrong. I am wrong on many things, but you're much better off focusing on those.
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Another wrong
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Another wrong
you didnt say "other dogs have three legs"
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Another wrong
Looks like you should have known better then.
If I'd meant to say ALL, I would have written "all."
If you meant to say SOME, you should have written "some."
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Another wrong
I still stand by my original sentence. It is correct: "given that other DVR systems out there do not have any such restrictions"
Nothing in that statement is false. Other DVR systems do not have that restriction. I see nothing incorrect in that statement.
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Another wrong
What kind of ignorant hick uses "then" in place of "than"?
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Myth TV
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mythtv
Or you can buy an asian-import generic pvr, which is likely to be much cheaper anyhow and very unlikely to have copy-control or copy-prevention features.
Funny thing; I bought a cheap Asian 1G mp3 player. It acts like a simple USB hard-drive as far as getting files on and off it. I LMAO every time I see people struggle with their expensive iPod or other 'brand name' players. Players that won't let you copy files back off them; players that use MTP and just won't work on a vanilla XP/SP2 install (not everybody updates windows religiously; a fair number I know aren't even on the internet). Sucks to be them, mine works just about everywhere. Sometimes less is more!
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Tivo
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others? Sorta
There are not other cable card solutions out there that don't use DRM, so your kind of SOL as far as direct competition goes. All cable lab certified devices require this DRM crap flags (as if all the content is not out there allready). Mayb3e dish or direct tv support in the next vist MCE reiteration will add some competition and they will be better about not having these types of screw ups (or deliberate testing acts depending on your tin foil hat layer), but only time will tell.
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Shame, really.
If I downloaded my music, it wouldn't have DRM would it? Seriously, I think they're all idiots. I question why I pay for inferior products. I feel like I'm funding the effort to make it hard to listen to my own damn music.
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Re: Shame, really.
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Re: Re: Shame, really.
Now, compared to iPod, sure, selling 2 million devices by MS is small potatoes.
http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/05/09/ms.sells.2m.zunes/
But, back on topic, yes, I had an NBC show on Monday night (Medium finale) not record due to broadcaster flag. Seems like this is an NBC issue and MS is just respecting the broadcaster. Am I wrong?
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Media Centre DRM: not just a "mistake"
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No, not the article, the fact that ANYONE is surprised by this. Have you people not been paying attention?
How many times have the MPAA and the networks tried to slip a broadcast flag provision into various TV related bills? Do you not remember a few years ago when the content industry was trying to get a law passed that would have required all electronic devices to contain mandatory copy protection?
Why do you think there's been such a big push to phase out "dumb" VCRs in favor of "smart" DVRs, especially ones that require some kind of subscription? A decade from now, you'll only be able to record certain shows and you'll have to pay a monthly fee for the priviledge.
I'd be very surprised if this was a mistake. I think it's more likely that it was a test to make sure that the restrictions would work. Think about it; Why would such a capability be there unless they intend to use it at some point?
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Useless
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Futile...
In the end, you can't stop the herd and while you may be able to temporarily redirect it, in the end, you'll lose.
Freedom
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Yes, you are. MS was under no legal obligation to add broadcast flag provisions to its software. I don't know what kind of deal they got in return, but they intentionally provided a way for broadcasters to prevent the software from doing exactly what it was designed to do.
Think about it, nobody puts these kind of restrictions in unless they intend to use them. Therefore, it can be reasonably assumed that MS knew that by including broadcast flag provisions in its software, that they would one day be used to prevent people from doing what they bought the system for.
This time may have been an accident, or it may have been a test. The fact is that MS handed the remote to your system's DVR functions over to the TV networks, who are free to use it anytime they want.
Kind of makes you wonder what else they can do by remote control, doesn't it?
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MythTV
I remember my co-worker telling me his troubles of transfering the movie files from his Tivo to his computer and watch them. Hours he spent. For me it is just downloading a codec.
And two more. I can stream my shows from my computer to anywhere in the world and that is directly built into MythTV easy to setup.
Finally with the same web feature I can schedule recordings from a web browser anywhere in the world. Just the other day I was with someone and we were out. He suddenly remembered that he wanted to record the Office, but it wasn't set. He had to make a special trip home to make this happen.
Also with the distros like mythbuntu setup is very easy. You can also buy mythtv boxes already setup for you as well. Sorry this does sound like a commercial, but there really is little reason not use this instead.
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