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Microsoft Vista DRM

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fridgetime

Posted: Mar 15 2006, 07:03 PM

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Microsoft gets heat over Vista DRM

QUOTE

"Microsoft is taking some heat over a digital-rights management (DRM) feature it's folding into its upcoming Vista (formerly Longhorn) operating system.

The feature, called Output Content Protection Management, encompasses several DRM-related schemes. The one that's raised hackles in several articles and blogs is a DRM-related check that's performed when playing back video on Vista-equipped PCs. According to Microsoft's description, the feature "makes sure that the PC's video outputs have the required protection or that they are turned off if such protection is not available."

In plain English, this means that Vista machines won't be able to play next-generation, high-definition DVDs in their full, high-resolution glory unless they're equipped with monitors that support a new DRM scheme called High-Bandwidth Digital Copy Protection, or HDCP. "

Andrew

Posted: Mar 16 2006, 02:05 PM

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I knew I had read about this already. Ducc had posted this here but from a different source. Either way it is good that you brought it up again because I looked for some more information about it and I found an excellent article from Ars Technica that explains it much clearer:

On Windows Vista, DRM, and new monitors

Here is another more recent article from Extreme Tech:

The Big DRM Issue

QUOTE

You can use Vista and all its features just fine with your existing monitor. The OS just supports this requirement of HD-DVD and Blu-ray. Any operating system that does not support HDCP in this way will always reduce the resolution of those HD-DVD or Blu-ray discs that choose to require it. In other words, expect similar DRM features to be added to operating systems such as OS X or for them to have crippled support for HD-DVD and Blu-ray, or no support at all.

But the key word here is support. Vista supports these DRM schemes, but does not require them. There is absolutely nothing in Vista that will require you to use content with DRM. There is nothing that will prevent you from running those applications that strip the DRM from your DVDs. Your ripped movies and MP3s and other DRM-less content will work just fine. Vista will not phone home to report your illegal file sharing activities and notify the MPAA and RIAA and phone your mom who won't say boy are you gonna get it when your father gets home.

It is less about Microsoft screwing you over with DRM, as opposed to allowing support for HD-DVD. The only way ANYONE can legally view HD-DVD in HD mode is with an HD compliant monitor or TV. Microsoft can either add support or not, there is no way around it. It is even worse on Linux, since there is no way for them to license it and will most likely not have true HD support at all (at least not legally).

QUOTE

And until then, we'll all be scratching our heads as to how our Linux friends will solve this quandary, because HDCP has to be commercially licensed. Well, that is unless DVD Jon swoops in again, but cracking BDA's discs won't be as simple as cracking CSS.

Ducc

Posted: Mar 16 2006, 06:47 PM

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QUOTE

(at least not legally)

Since when do people care about the legality of software?

If someone cracks the DRM, it'll be in Linux. And someone WILL crack it; the only question is when.

Andrew	Posted: Mar 16 2006, 07:13 PM
Chief of Staff Group: Admin Posts: 8,999 Member No.: 1 Joined: 17-November 04	It will not be included with any official Linux builds, unless they want to have any server that hosts the build shut down. That effectively kills it of having any chance of being wide spread. It looks like Linux has a serious problem.

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