In response to the itnews article:
Quote:
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 would not be able to play next-generation, high-definition DVDs in their full, high-resolution glory unless they were equipped with monitors that support a new DRM scheme called High-Bandwidth Digital Copy Protection, or HDCP.
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Yep, exactly. But the HDCP requirement isn't put in place by Microsoft, it's put in place by the next-gen HD DVD standards (Blu-Ray and HD-DVD). There won't be stand-alone Blu-Ray players that output HD signals without HDCP requirements either. Without PVP-OPM you won't be able to watch next-gen disks in HD on your PC
at all; with PVP-OPM you can watch them on
some computers hooked up to
some monitors/TVs. With PVP-OPM I can do it if I'm willing and able to purchase compatible equipment. Without PVP-OPM it isn't even an option.
Quote:
DRM shoved into the OS is a bad thing.
DRM is little more than the electronic equivalent of King George III stationing soldiers in your house in peacetime, without your permission, to enforce not only real laws -- but whatever fancies they or the King might have.
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I think the difference in our points of view is that I separate my opinion of DRM from my opinion of DRM's integration into the OS. Yes, DRM is a pain in the butt and treats everyone as a criminal, including the innocent. But DRM is a reality, and it's here to stay. Facing that reality, integrating content protection into the OS make complete sense. It allows the PC to interact with DRM-protected content in ways that it otherwise would not be able to do (and currently IS NOT able to do). The powers that be won't allow it otherwise.
Let me give you a real world example. Next month there is going to be an update to XP Media Center Edition. Among the new features is the ability to record encrypted digital cable. Just yesterday Microsoft indicated that this feature was cut, apparently because they couldn't get CableCARD certification because they didn't have adequate content protection in the OS.