Comments on: Hollywood cracks down on DVD chipmakers

MPAA boosts enforcement on spread of hardware that might allow DVD copying.

[Prndll]

This is differant!

I see they are finally deciding to go after the right groups of people.

[fwh4728]

How ironic

Why is it that the MPAA is allowed to reverse engineer chips to determine compliance when no one else is allowed under the DCMA to reverse engineer digital devices or code for any purpose?

[techman707]

Reverse engineering chips

I doubt very much that the MPAA is in fact "reverse engineering chips", or more correctly, disassembling chips to check them. You give them MORE credit than they deserve. All they really need to do is test the equipment for its ability to copy DVDs. In my opinion, MPAA is nothing more than this generation's digital storm troopers.

But if you're talking "ironic", look at Sony. In the 1970's they were the defendants (makers of the Betamax) and now they are the plaintiffs (Columbia, Tri-star, etc.).

A reason not to buy

Because of the "protected" ports on my DVD recorder/player, I can't get a decent rendition on my television, have to set it up "after" the VCR (put the DVD recorder between the VCR and the TV) and makes the whole thing a PITA. Will I purchase another one with this type of protection? Nope. If I want to make copies of or view my own home made DVD's I don't need to have the jacks create degraded copies. I purchased the stupid thing to do just that and I'm disgusted. When the broadcast flag prevents my using time shifting so that I can record during the day and watch at night, that's it for my support of TV entertainment at all, I think. I'll be happy to just catch the news.