Microsoft, Macrovision align on copy protection

Microsoft and copy-protection company Macrovision have struck a deal that will add a new layer of anticopying defenses to video content being swapped between home devices.

The two companies said that Microsoft had licensed Macrovision's technology, which aims to stop people from making copies using analog connections between devices, such as those that typically link a set-top box to a television.

The deal could make it harder for consumers to make permanent copies of TV shows and movies without permission, if they use computers running the Windows operating system. It should also help convince movie studios and other content producers to release their products in new ways online, the companies said.

"We think that long term, the studios will offer more interesting products over the Internet using this technology," said Brad Brunell, Microsoft's general manager of intellectual-property licensing.

Most copy-protection technologies are aimed at preventing digital replication, since a digital copy can be identical to the original in every way. However, modern analog copying can also have high-quality results, and Hollywood studios have worried that their products could be easily copied using methods such as recording the output of a DVD player onto a computer hard drive.

The Macrovision technology has been one attempt to limit this. Rather than scrambling the signal altogether, as digital copy protection typically does, it includes a pulse of electronic energy along with the video as it is played. The pulse is meant to indicate the content should not be recorded. Many devices such as DVD recorders respect this signal and block recording if it is detected.

Under the new deal, Microsoft's Windows Media software will recognize this signal when it is included in incoming analog video streams. For upcoming versions of its Microsoft's Media Center Edition operating systems, the computer will allow users to make a temporary copy that can be stored one day, but that cannot be used after that time.

In future versions of its Media software, including the version in its next Longhorn operating system, Microsoft plans to support an upcoming revision of Macrovision's technology that will allow content to be stored for just 90 minutes, or up to a week.

TiVo is also moving to support the new Macrovision technology. Movie studios have discussed using the more flexible version for different pay-per-view content rules.

[jaximflash]

The Downhill of Microsoft's Media Center!

"For upcoming versions of its Microsoft's Media Center Edition operating systems, the computer will allow users to make a temporary copy [of TV recordings] that can be stored one day, but that cannot be used after that time."

"Microsoft plans to support an upcoming revision of Macrovision's technology that will allow content to be stored for just 90 minutes, or up to a week."

A "TIME LIMIT" OF WHEN I CAN WATCH MY RECORDINGS?!!

That's ridiculous!!! And Microsoft wonders why they have an image problem; why so many people hate them. They take such a promising product like Media Center and ruin it. Instead of thinking of the little consumer, they think of the big Movie studios!

If they're really concerned about people pirating movies and TV programs, then why don't they try to work with the studios to find a compromise, instead of caving in to their demands. Instead of stupid DRM protected files, why don't they use watermarks. This way people can watch (or listen, in the case of music) to their media whenever and where ever they want, but they wouldn't share the content with others, or else the studios would be able to trace the content back to them, due to the digital watermarks.

Time limits, my buckass!! And I used to love my media center! Oh well, I guess I'll have to go with a 3rd party DVR software company when
Microsoft release

[Buzz_Friendly]

when will companies learn?

Copy protection schemes dont work. We can argue all day about everyones rights but this doesnt change this fact. Game companies have been using copy protection on its CD for years and quite simply they do not work. Neither does copy protection on DVDs.
Here is what happens in reality. Company A want to protect its (fill in the blank here) Company B says I have something to prevent your customers and pirates from doing this at a cost of (fill in the blank here) of which you can pass on to your customers (pirates dont pay so they are not absorbing the cost). End result&.the legitimate customers absorbs the cost, the pirates desire with the assistance of a hacker circumvents the technology the customer paid for and nothing has changed. Well accept the fact that Company B (the copy protection provider) made A LOT of money from the customer that legitimately bought the product. I have a suggestion for the customers. Demand a refund from Company A (the software company) for failing to adequately protect the content. Sue the Company B because they did not prevent the media you bought from being copied and you can put an end to this nonsense.
Ever notice that a company is quick to report is profits to its shareholders and equally as quick to point out its losses to piracy? I never have figured out how companies calculate its losses to piracy it not as though they have a receipt from the pirate informing them of the dollar value of the software(s) they have stolen. This whole situation is flawed from end to end with the customer left footing the bill. This is just more nonsense from a software vendor. Anyone want to lay odds on how long it will take for this technology to be circumvented after its released to the public?

[Not Bugged]

Linux anyone?

Looks like I'm going the dual-boot route for the foreseeable future, until Linux has a few more comparible apps and I can stop using Windows completely. Slowly but surely it's becoming clear that supporting the major OS monopoly is just shooting yourself in the foot. The fact that MS has the audacity to even announce, in effect, that they're planning on taking away abilities that consumers have and desire right now is surprising even for MS. Ego? Hubris? Do they simply think that they can sell their consumers to whomever they want and we'll simply say "thanks, may I please have another?" No thanks.

[Impreza WRX]

My thoughts exactly!

Older VCR's won't have the problem of copy pulse protect, and Linux has gotten to be so "loser friendly" and popular it's a viable replacement for Windows. Oh, and just about every form of copy protection can be broken with a program running in Linux ;)