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Microsoft Answers Vista DRM Critics' Claims

skepsis writes "Recently there have been some stories on Slashdot claiming that Vista would downgrade the quality of audio and video for every application in a machine where protected content was running. One of the stories painted a scary scenario where a 'medical IT worker who's using a medical imaging PC while listening to audio/video played back by the computer' would have his medical images 'deliberately degraded.' A post has been put up on the Vista team blog explaining exactly how the content protection works, and it turns out the medical IT staff and audio pros can relax. From the post: 'It's important to emphasize that while Windows Vista has the necessary infrastructure to support commercial content scenarios, this infrastructure is designed to minimize impact on other types of content and other activities on the same PC. For example, if a user were viewing medical imagery concurrently with playback of video which required image constraint, only the commercial video would be constrained -- not the medical image or other things on the user's desktop.'"

23 of 627 comments (clear)

  1. No way! by EvanED · · Score: 5, Funny

    Recently have been some recent stories on Slashdot claiming that Vista would downgrade the quality of audio and video for every application in a machine where protected content was running. One of the stories painted a scary scenario where a 'medical IT worker who's using a medical imaging PC while listening to audio/video played back by the computer' would have his medical images 'deliberately degraded'.

    Slashdot posting anti-MS stories with only speculation to their correctness? Say it isn't so!

    1. Re:No way! by cheater512 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Actually a black screen DOES make the MPAA money. Users only see the black screen AFTER they have paid.

  2. Attention THX by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    We are Microsoft.
    We are your friends.
    We only want to help you.

  3. Marketdroid speak by Le+Marteau · · Score: 5, Funny

    such as newly released HD-DVD or Blu-Ray discs, can be enjoyed on Windows Vista PCs.

    Arrrr. I despise the use of 'enjoy' in that way. When you see the word used that way, you know the writer is selling something.

    --
    Mod down people who tell people how to mod in their sigs
    1. Re:Marketdroid speak by Bill,+Shooter+of+Bul · · Score: 2, Funny

      damn right! I never have and never will "Enjoy" Coke, Diet Coke,or Sprite!

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      Well.. maybe. Or Maybe not. But Definitely not sort of.
    2. Re:Marketdroid speak by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      bahhh you nerds will knit pick at anything, bunch of nervous recks you all are sometimes.

    3. Re:Marketdroid speak by Le+Marteau · · Score: 5, Funny

      bahhh you nerds will knit pick at anything, bunch of nervous recks you all are sometimes.

      1) 'bahhh' needs to be capitalized.
      2) s/knit/nit/
      3) s/recks/wrecks/
      4) s/sometimes//

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      Mod down people who tell people how to mod in their sigs
    4. Re:Marketdroid speak by Scarletdown · · Score: 3, Funny

      And don't forget that Bahhh is an interjection. It sets itself apart from a sentence by an exclamation point, or a comma when the feeling's not as strong.

      Well, I know now what song is going to be stuck in my head for the next few hours...

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      This space unintentionally left blank.
    5. Re:Marketdroid speak by Le+Marteau · · Score: 2, Funny

      Arrrr matey, Arrrr

      Comes from my readin' of Moby Dick, it do. The sea is in my blood these days, so it is, so it is. But ye got to give it to me, at least I said 'arrr' and not 'aaargh'. The mark of a true seaman, and not a landlubber, that is. Arrr.

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      Mod down people who tell people how to mod in their sigs
  4. Re:Knaves and Crackers by Whiney+Mac+Fanboy · · Score: 5, Funny

    t means they've abandoned elegance for ad hoc-ery; transparence for evasion; and trust for tyranny.

    In order to abandon something, you have to have it in the first place. I can't recall MS ever being in possession of elegance, transparancy and particularly trust.

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    There are shills on slashdot. Apparently, I'm one of them.
  5. Re:Translation needed by sentientbeing · · Score: 5, Funny

    It means it proactively leverages the synergies of blue sky entertainment by thinking outside the box and innovating front-end methodologies for consumer satisfaction. It also empowers cross-platform deliverables by maximizing mission critical schemas.

    and plays teh new moviez!

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    beware he who would deny you access to information, for in his mind he dreams himself your master
  6. Re:Should we trust the medical system vendors? by KewlPC · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think a more accurate question would be: Why would someone doing medical imaging play music/videos on the same computer? Let alone at the same time?

    "Hey guys, I know this computer is only supposed to be used to control the MRI machine, but let's throw our MP3 collections on it! ROCK OUT WITH YOUR COCK OUT!"

  7. Re:So we should trust Microsoft? by ehrichweiss · · Score: 2, Funny

    AMEN to that!! They could watch porn for all I care so long as I wake up(or whatever).

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    0x09F911029D74E35BD84156C5635688C0
  8. Re:Should we trust the medical system vendors? by ZERO1ZERO · · Score: 2, Funny
    "Why would someone doing medical imaging play music/videos on the same computer? Let alone at the same time?"

    Well I guess they gotta use Dual Core for something..

  9. Re:Should we trust the medical system vendors? by EnsilZah · · Score: 2, Funny

    How else are they going to listen to 'Monty Python - Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.mp3' while waiting for the results?

  10. Mmmmmh! MRI-Porn! by atrocious+cowpat · · Score: 2, Funny

    Mmmmmh! MRI-Porn!

    (Probably NSFW unless you're an MD... or maybe NSFW only if you're an MD)

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    sig? Oh, that sig...
  11. Re:Which required constraint by Lord+Apathy · · Score: 2, Funny

    Fuck'em..

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    Supporting World Peace Through Nuclear Pacification

  12. Re:Should we trust the medical system vendors? by wordsnyc · · Score: 3, Funny

    A couple of months ago I had occasion to study an MRI of my brain over my neurologist's shoulder as he pointed to various spots and explained their significance. This was on a networked desktop pc running XP at a major university medical center. I asked about one particularly alarming bright spot and he assured me that it was "just an artifact." I guess I should count myself lucky that it wasn't a dancing paper clip.

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    Sent from the iPad I found in your car.
  13. "It looks like you're trying to do a brain scan." by Eternal+Vigilance · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Do you want some help?"

    Though, come to think of it, this does explain why the Zune turned out the way it did.

  14. News Flash!!! by tooyoung · · Score: 2, Funny
    Recently have been some recent stories on Slashdot claiming that Vista would downgrade the quality of audio and video for every application in a machine where protected content was running. One of the stories painted a scary scenario where a 'medical IT worker who's using a medical imaging PC while listening to audio/video played back by the computer' would have his medical images 'deliberately degraded'.
    "Completely ridiculous rumor debunked, proves DRM is benevolent," states person unfamiliar with logic.
  15. Re:As a consumer, what's in it for me? by iminplaya · · Score: 2, Funny

    what does Vista give me and my users, that should make me cut a check?

    It looks more like OS X?

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    What?
  16. Re:Knaves and Crackers by ClosedSource · · Score: 2, Funny

    "And for those who constantly ask for proof of something instead of looking for themselves, well you need to get an education. People can't afford to take the time to constantly educate you. Rather you should be providing evidence contrary to the supposition rather than demanding someone prove to you. This isn't a court of law. If you don't believe them and you won't take the time to research their points and dispel them posting your comments is pointless. It's like claiming the world is round and you asking them to prove it every time because you don't agree. Just like that is common knowledge and the fact that this site tends to focus on technology it isn't our fault you aren't educated sufficiently enough to know the details or research them yourselves."

    Congratulations. That's the longest excuse I've every read for not being able to backup a claim with facts. Perhaps you should join MS's FUD department, you have a gift.

  17. Don't Panic! by StikyPad · · Score: 2, Funny

    Drivers, DON'T WORRY! If an unauthorized steering wheel is detected, ONLY THE STEERING will be affected, and ONLY FOR THE ROAD YOU ARE ON. The brakes, accelerator, and "oh shit" handles will still function 100%.