Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Microsoft Acknowledges NBC's Wish is Its Command

Posted by timothy on from the it-will-be-as-you-wish-my-master dept.

theodp writes "Responding to questions about why some users of Windows Vista Media Center were prevented from recording the NBC Universal TV shows 'American Gladiator' and 'Medium,' Microsoft has acknowledged that Windows Media Centers will block users from recording TV shows at the request of a broadcaster. 'Microsoft included technologies in Windows based on rules set forth by the (Federal Communications Commission),' wrote a Microsoft spokeswoman, apparently referring to an FCC proposal that the courts struck down in 2005. 'Microsoft has put the requirements of broadcasters above what consumers want,' said the EFF's Danny O'Brien. 'They've imposed restrictions way beyond what the law requires. Customers need to know who Microsoft is listening to and how that affects their equipment. Right now, the only way customers know what Microsoft has agreed to is when the technology they've bought suddenly stops working. Microsoft needs to come clean and tell its customers what deals it has made.'"

16 of 417 comments (clear)

  1. Power To the Corporates! by Oblong_Cheese · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm all about multinational billion dollar corporates deciding for me about what I can and can't record legally. It's hell sweet! Before you know it, we'll have pay-per-view on every single broadcast!

    1. Re:Power To the Corporates! by cliffiecee · · Score: 4, Funny

      pay-per-view on every single broadcast

      I sure hope they leave the commercials in!

  2. Re:I wonder why Tivo ignored the flag by ArcherB · · Score: 3, Funny

    Last I checked... Tivo supports the broadcast flag as well, yet those of us (I have 2) with Tivo's had no issues... So I guess the question is, why is Tivo ignoring the broadcast flag (not that I am complaining mind you, I hate the broadcast flag), but I am curious.. I don't know if my Time-Warner provided box blocked it or not. Still, I'm surprised this got noticed at all; Does anyone watch these shows?
    --
    There is no "I disagree" mod for a reason. Flamebait, Troll, and Overrated are not substitutes.
  3. I wonder why... by Kamokazi · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...you tried to record American Gladiators.

    --
    As our way of thanking you for your positive contributions to Slashdot, you are eligible to disable Slashdot 2.0.
    1. Re:I wonder why... by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 2, Funny

      It wasn't for him.

      or alternatively:

      He's using advanced video editing techniques to create an "American Gladiators Gone Wild" video.

      --
      My blog
    2. Re:I wonder why... by nick_davison · · Score: 5, Funny

      Two /. news stories:

      Google helps the Indian government make a man eat from the same bowl he craps in.

      Microsoft saves users from recording American Gladiators.

      As part of their competition with Google strategy, I think Microsoft just stole the right to the "Do no evil" slogan.

  4. Re:Damned either way by IBBoard · · Score: 2, Funny

    Damned if you do, damned if you don't when it comes to our friend DRM.

    Would that be Damned Restrictions Management?
  5. NBC programming blocked = net win for the consumer by Sun.Jedi · · Score: 2, Funny

    I just glanced over the channel lineup for my area (I honestly didn't know what NBC was offering), and I'm in favor crappy TV networks self regulating themselves further out of my view.

    It isn't much a surprise, given the lack of NBC on the chart.
    /half-joking, half-not

  6. Re:With Tivo TV is no longer real-time. by somersault · · Score: 5, Funny

    If I can't record it, I am not watching it. I tried using that argument at the cinema, but they threw me out :(
    --
    which is totally what she said
  7. Indeed... by interactive_civilian · · Score: 5, Funny

    VCR recorder, is that like an ATM machine? ;) Indeed, it is. However, unlike an ATM machine, you don't need a PIN number for a VCR recorder.
    --
    "Empathise with stupidity, and you're halfway to thinking like an idiot." - Iain M. Banks
  8. Vista looking more attractive every day by elrous0 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Wow, I really wanted to buy Vista before, what with all the glitches and problems. Now I REALLY want it.

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  9. The technology is not ALL bad... by hyperz69 · · Score: 2, Funny

    It does prevent people from watching American Gladiators ;P

  10. Re:I wonder why Tivo ignored the flag by Yvan256 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I expect a company the size of Microsoft is forward-thinking enough to realize that pissing off people who paid once isn't a great way to get them to pay again
    You must be new here.
  11. Re:Being a Grammar Nazi today, I guess by quonsar · · Score: 3, Funny

    Careful, you may damage his self of steam.

    --

    Sacred cows make the best burgers.

  12. Re:I wonder why Tivo ignored the flag by mweather · · Score: 5, Funny

    If you're time is so valuable, why do you watch so much TV?

  13. Re:I wonder why Tivo ignored the flag by 7Prime · · Score: 2, Funny

    Wait, one can be a car fanatic and still drive a 2003 Ford Focus, it's called BEING POOR. In his case, it's not money he lacks, but time. The interest is still there, the will to tinker is still there, but the time to actually do it is another thing.

    The only thing that makes me question whether he still qualifies as a nerd is the fact that he has a kid... which means that he has had sex...with a woman... which is the biggest red flag in my mind :P

    --
    Multiplayer Gaming (defined): Sitting around, discussing single-player games with my friends, at the bar.