Im still amazed the Burning Bush managed to win. He worked in the oil industry, surely that would make him hugely biased? How could someone like that get to be president? Is it just coincidence US enviromental policy and been rapidly going down the drain since he took over at the top? He probably has a lot to do with the US rejection of the kyoto protocol. To top it off he seems to be a real idiot. He maintains popularity using a war on terrorism. He won the first war, which was very expensive, easily. Now he needs to blow up Iraq to get some more votes. Nothing iraq does now could satisfy the US, because Bush and co need it to stay popular. A good fireworks display on TV with some US missiles blowing those dirty terrorists (TV doesn't show missiles that hit civilions:-)) into crators will do the job.
Someone here said McCain is "a bad thing for opponants of the DMCA". I dont know McCain, so I cant really comment on that. But consider is from another position. IS there any way he could be worse than Hollings? Hollings was nicknamed "the senator from Disney". Hes so well known for his CDTBPA that hardware copy protection componants are refered to as Fritz chips. I dont know McCain, but there is no way he can be as awkward as Hollings.
I dont follow US broadband news, but im all for more competition in the area before they start blocking p2p systems. If theres no competition thats a lot easier.
Britain nearly did impliment it. As far as I know the UK implimentation is still tied up in a lot of red tape involveing the patent office. I suspect a UK-DMCA will pass with or without the EUCD. Still, this is very good news. Not surprised the BSA complained:-)
Of course. DRM is always going to discriminate against FOSS, because if it made source code available someone would break it in seconds. Even if the DRM system does allow unencrypted connections for copy-freely flaged video (such as CPSA does), you can expect many DRM schemes will be used as the vendor-lock-in from hell, particually anything from microsoft. Just look at their WM technologys. Horably propritary, practically untranscodeable, and the only information MS has released about the formats is the file formats (no codec), under a license which has so many restrictions its unuseable. Such as "No saveing audio in a non-MS format", "dont even think of releaseing source", "No using open source software for devlopment, or compileing on an open source compiler" and "Do not allow users to resistribute your software". Microsoft in particular, but also many other companys, would really like an excuse to lock people in. DRM is the excuse. Thats the real purpose of palladium.
Obviously the CD drive manufacturers at least have realised people wont buy DRMed hardware when unrestricted hardware is available. The only hope of selling DRMed hardware is ensureing there are no unrestricted competitors. That can be done either by licenseing the technology to require restrictions (dvd), lobbying to ban unprotected equipment (macrovision-immune VCRs), keeping details secret so only one campany can make them (magicgate) or useing lawyers to threaten unresricted products (PVRs with 30-second-skips). All techniques have advantages and disadvantages for the manufacturers and entertainment industry. They all have disadvantages for comsumers. There are no advantages for consumers in driveing off unrestricted competitors.
There is. Its DVI. It was designed for any application which needs to transmit uncompressed video. Mostly computer monitors, but there has been some intrest in putting on on CE as well. It also has an encryption and protection standard, HDCP.
There is an encryption standard for firewire. Its called DTCP, and is part of the complicated CPSA protection system.
DVD players with firewire outputs will not appear soon, if ever, because the CSS license doesn't allow digital outputs (except the suround audio connector). Im not sure if it allows encrypted digital outputs, but if it does the manufacturers wouldn't be too happy about getting another license for DRM to worry about with its own anti-tamper requirements in addition to CSS. If DVD players do support DTCP output PVRs still wont be able to record. Non-dtcp wouldn't be able to read the encrypted signal, or even authenticate to get it, while DTCP compatable PVRs would only display a "recording prohibited" message.
Under one possible escape clause, the CPSA system does allow recorders to record copy-protected video provided the copies are "temporary and localised". Those terms are not defined. Temporary must mean on a non-removeable internal hard drive, but temporary could mean anything. Delete after 24 hours? Delete after one viewing? Delete after one week?
DTCP is one of four key CPSA technologys. The others are CSS, CPRM and CPPM. The CPSA system is the biggest threat to free digital multimedia, but also the biggest threat to the content industrys lockdown attempts. Once all of those four technologys are properly broken the CPSA system will be completly usless. That suggests we are 25% done:-). I have a website which you would probably find intresting describeing many copy protection systems and how to break them. Servers dodgey and the moment through, these p2p downloads are using all my downstream and most of my up.
I havn't read the spec, but if it doesn't include DRM now it will edventually. The spec might not actually include DRM for PR reasons, but if that happens another specification will be put on top, probably based round CPSA, which specifies where to put the copy protection flags and which encryption schemes should be used on the firewire output. Cable companys would support this system because the TV channels would refuse broadcasts on an "insecure" system.
Unusual for Sony to consider going open. Usually they make very propritary technology, such as Minidisc, Memory stick, Magicgate and SACD. This looks a lot like they dont care what they put in their boxes, as long as its cheap. Windows embedded isn't cheap, and it would probably mean adding more RAM too.
Just because the systems run linux doesn't mean people will be able to mess with them easily. Its unlikely the appliances will have a convenient RS232 port to plug a terminal into, or a keyboard. People may be able to make some adjustments to the OS, but thats about it.
As someone said earlier, even through some code will be released the all-important DRM technology will not. It wont be covered under the GPL as its not part of linux. Without the DRM code and keys the source code wouldn't be much good. You could rewrite sections of the code, recompile, and put it on the drive (or flash a chip for smaller appliances) but what then? The other appliances wouldn't trust it, if it has a hard drive it will be encrypted so the recompiled kernel wouldn't read it. Like most DRM systems it would be an all-or-nothing system. If you really wanted you might be able to recompile a DRM-free kernel and somehow get it to execute, but unless all the other appliances were also rewritten you wouldn't be able to view anything other then your move movies (unless someone breaks the DRM of course)
Microsofts response should be quite intresting through. They only have two embedded OS platforms, windows CE and windows XP embedded. Both are a bit on the large side. MS is not going to remove all those fancy skins and 16-bit icons, so they might start marketing more agressivly.
Assumeing the whole thing doesn't fade into obscurity, with a complete OS but noone makeing appliances using it, this is certinly good. But dont expect the Microsoft empire to collapse just yet. Like MS, Sony guards its propritary technology carefully. They arn't going to just give away source for playing SACDS or decryption codes for OpenMG.
Two computers ago I had an HP pavilion PC which came with an installed but disabled copy of simcity 2000. Activateing it was free, but part of the lenghty registration process. By about the forth reformat I got fed up with registering just to get the game. I tried to break it, but the main EXE was invalid. This was in the pre-p2p days, so I couldn't find a new copy anywhere. It certinly get the PC registered a few times through, so its an effective marketing technique. It will be considerably less effective with pressplay. There is a small problem with the pressplay service. That $9.95 monthly fee is perpetual. If you stop paying all your brought music stops playing. Could make a lot of people angry.
There is only one even half-effective DRM system for music, the Microsoft WMDRM system. The DRM component comes in two forms, DRMv1 and DRMv2. DRMv2 has been cracked, and decrypter program is called "freeme" and can be found quite easily on most p2p networks or search engines. DRMv1 has not been to well defeated, but there are still ways. The "unfuck" utility will do it, but it means a reencode into a low-bitrate WMA, or the universal analog hole or recording fake sound card will do it. Most content, includeing pressplay, is DRMv1 protected.
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Im still amazed the Burning Bush managed to win. He worked in the oil industry, surely that would make him hugely biased? How could someone like that get to be president? Is it just coincidence US enviromental policy and been rapidly going down the drain since he took over at the top? He probably has a lot to do with the US rejection of the kyoto protocol. To top it off he seems to be a real idiot. He maintains popularity using a war on terrorism. He won the first war, which was very expensive, easily. Now he needs to blow up Iraq to get some more votes. Nothing iraq does now could satisfy the US, because Bush and co need it to stay popular. A good fireworks display on TV with some US missiles blowing those dirty terrorists (TV doesn't show missiles that hit civilions :-)) into crators will do the job.
Someone here said McCain is "a bad thing for opponants of the DMCA". I dont know McCain, so I cant really comment on that. But consider is from another position. IS there any way he could be worse than Hollings? Hollings was nicknamed "the senator from Disney". Hes so well known for his CDTBPA that hardware copy protection componants are refered to as Fritz chips. I dont know McCain, but there is no way he can be as awkward as Hollings. I dont follow US broadband news, but im all for more competition in the area before they start blocking p2p systems. If theres no competition thats a lot easier.
Britain nearly did impliment it. As far as I know the UK implimentation is still tied up in a lot of red tape involveing the patent office. I suspect a UK-DMCA will pass with or without the EUCD. Still, this is very good news. Not surprised the BSA complained :-)
Of course. DRM is always going to discriminate against FOSS, because if it made source code available someone would break it in seconds. Even if the DRM system does allow unencrypted connections for copy-freely flaged video (such as CPSA does), you can expect many DRM schemes will be used as the vendor-lock-in from hell, particually anything from microsoft. Just look at their WM technologys. Horably propritary, practically untranscodeable, and the only information MS has released about the formats is the file formats (no codec), under a license which has so many restrictions its unuseable. Such as "No saveing audio in a non-MS format", "dont even think of releaseing source", "No using open source software for devlopment, or compileing on an open source compiler" and "Do not allow users to resistribute your software". Microsoft in particular, but also many other companys, would really like an excuse to lock people in. DRM is the excuse. Thats the real purpose of palladium.
Obviously the CD drive manufacturers at least have realised people wont buy DRMed hardware when unrestricted hardware is available. The only hope of selling DRMed hardware is ensureing there are no unrestricted competitors. That can be done either by licenseing the technology to require restrictions (dvd), lobbying to ban unprotected equipment (macrovision-immune VCRs), keeping details secret so only one campany can make them (magicgate) or useing lawyers to threaten unresricted products (PVRs with 30-second-skips). All techniques have advantages and disadvantages for the manufacturers and entertainment industry. They all have disadvantages for comsumers. There are no advantages for consumers in driveing off unrestricted competitors.
There is. Its DVI. It was designed for any application which needs to transmit uncompressed video. Mostly computer monitors, but there has been some intrest in putting on on CE as well. It also has an encryption and protection standard, HDCP.
There is an encryption standard for firewire. Its called DTCP, and is part of the complicated CPSA protection system.
:-). I have a website which you would probably find intresting describeing many copy protection systems and how to break them. Servers dodgey and the moment through, these p2p downloads are using all my downstream and most of my up.
DVD players with firewire outputs will not appear soon, if ever, because the CSS license doesn't allow digital outputs (except the suround audio connector). Im not sure if it allows encrypted digital outputs, but if it does the manufacturers wouldn't be too happy about getting another license for DRM to worry about with its own anti-tamper requirements in addition to CSS. If DVD players do support DTCP output PVRs still wont be able to record. Non-dtcp wouldn't be able to read the encrypted signal, or even authenticate to get it, while DTCP compatable PVRs would only display a "recording prohibited" message.
Under one possible escape clause, the CPSA system does allow recorders to record copy-protected video provided the copies are "temporary and localised". Those terms are not defined. Temporary must mean on a non-removeable internal hard drive, but temporary could mean anything. Delete after 24 hours? Delete after one viewing? Delete after one week?
DTCP is one of four key CPSA technologys. The others are CSS, CPRM and CPPM. The CPSA system is the biggest threat to free digital multimedia, but also the biggest threat to the content industrys lockdown attempts. Once all of those four technologys are properly broken the CPSA system will be completly usless. That suggests we are 25% done
I havn't read the spec, but if it doesn't include DRM now it will edventually. The spec might not actually include DRM for PR reasons, but if that happens another specification will be put on top, probably based round CPSA, which specifies where to put the copy protection flags and which encryption schemes should be used on the firewire output. Cable companys would support this system because the TV channels would refuse broadcasts on an "insecure" system.
Unusual for Sony to consider going open. Usually they make very propritary technology, such as Minidisc, Memory stick, Magicgate and SACD. This looks a lot like they dont care what they put in their boxes, as long as its cheap. Windows embedded isn't cheap, and it would probably mean adding more RAM too. Just because the systems run linux doesn't mean people will be able to mess with them easily. Its unlikely the appliances will have a convenient RS232 port to plug a terminal into, or a keyboard. People may be able to make some adjustments to the OS, but thats about it. As someone said earlier, even through some code will be released the all-important DRM technology will not. It wont be covered under the GPL as its not part of linux. Without the DRM code and keys the source code wouldn't be much good. You could rewrite sections of the code, recompile, and put it on the drive (or flash a chip for smaller appliances) but what then? The other appliances wouldn't trust it, if it has a hard drive it will be encrypted so the recompiled kernel wouldn't read it. Like most DRM systems it would be an all-or-nothing system. If you really wanted you might be able to recompile a DRM-free kernel and somehow get it to execute, but unless all the other appliances were also rewritten you wouldn't be able to view anything other then your move movies (unless someone breaks the DRM of course) Microsofts response should be quite intresting through. They only have two embedded OS platforms, windows CE and windows XP embedded. Both are a bit on the large side. MS is not going to remove all those fancy skins and 16-bit icons, so they might start marketing more agressivly. Assumeing the whole thing doesn't fade into obscurity, with a complete OS but noone makeing appliances using it, this is certinly good. But dont expect the Microsoft empire to collapse just yet. Like MS, Sony guards its propritary technology carefully. They arn't going to just give away source for playing SACDS or decryption codes for OpenMG.
Two computers ago I had an HP pavilion PC which came with an installed but disabled copy of simcity 2000. Activateing it was free, but part of the lenghty registration process. By about the forth reformat I got fed up with registering just to get the game. I tried to break it, but the main EXE was invalid. This was in the pre-p2p days, so I couldn't find a new copy anywhere. It certinly get the PC registered a few times through, so its an effective marketing technique. It will be considerably less effective with pressplay. There is a small problem with the pressplay service. That $9.95 monthly fee is perpetual. If you stop paying all your brought music stops playing. Could make a lot of people angry.
There is only one even half-effective DRM system for music, the Microsoft WMDRM system. The DRM component comes in two forms, DRMv1 and DRMv2. DRMv2 has been cracked, and decrypter program is called "freeme" and can be found quite easily on most p2p networks or search engines. DRMv1 has not been to well defeated, but there are still ways. The "unfuck" utility will do it, but it means a reencode into a low-bitrate WMA, or the universal analog hole or recording fake sound card will do it. Most content, includeing pressplay, is DRMv1 protected.