MCE->Vista...Don't do it!

[John]

Hi all:

I decided to install Vista Ultimate as a test on the PC we use to run our
plasma TV where we have had MCE for at least the last 2 years and have
always been pretty happy with it. So now that Vista is on there, a movie
just came on the kids channel that I wanted to record, and I got a message:

"Vista cannot record this program due to restrictions imposed by the
provider" and Vista won't record it!!!

Pardon my French but this is bloody F&*king ridiculous!! Isn't the whole
point of PVR functionality so that we are not slaved to schedules and can
record and watch shows, broadcast over cable that we pay for, at a more
convenient time?

That's the end of Vista for that box, going back to MCE and I might look
into the PVR provided by my cable company and dump all Microsoft
entertainment OSes.

I am usually a huge fan of Microsoft products, but this "feature" is just
plain stupid and doesn't think about the end user...

John.

 

[Some Guy in Kirkland]

well, i have not had that problem.. what was the channel and show?

 

[Dale]

Well, if it was intentional you'd better make sure your MCE computer can't
access the Internet or you'll soon be getting the same response there as
well.


Dale

 

[Tom Lake]

Hi all:

I decided to install Vista Ultimate as a test on the PC we use to run our plasma TV
where we have had MCE for at least the last 2 years and have always been pretty
happy with it. So now that Vista is on there, a movie just came on the kids channel
that I wanted to record, and I got a message:

It's not Microsoft's fault. DRM is becoming more and more widespread.
To comply with new laws, software will have to monitor such things.

Tom Lake

 

[Chad Harris]

A guy working for MSFT made some remaks in this direction --- a Bill Gates,
I think it's pronounced, lol but the proof is in the reality on the ground.
While Gates may feel the pain, he's not lifted a finger to stop its
infliction.

MCE does not join a domain basically because of a DRM connected decision by
the MCE team and way above them.

Digital Rights Management and Copy Protection Schemes
http://www.eff.org/IP/DRM/

The Customer Is Always Wrong: A User's Guide to DRM in Online Music
http://www.eff.org/IP/DRM/guide/

Zune now is full of DRM screwups, and the public is responding by letting
Zune--with its join the social campaign--it's going to be a while before you
bump into other zunes much of the time.

Gates: DRM Causes Pain for Some Users
http://www.electronista.com/articles/06/12/15/bill.gates.on.drm/

Why No Hard Questions for Uncle Billy G. at the Conference?
http://scobleizer.com/2006/12/14/todd-asks-why-no-hard-questions-for-billg/

Desperately seeking Zune
http://news.com.com/Desperately+seeking+Zune/2100-1041_3-6142291.html?tag=nefd.lede

CH

 

[John]

So far MCE is still OK, I ran down to the basement and tried the same show
and it recorded fine on MCE. However I won't be surprised if a future
"security fix" from MSFT enables this on MCE too...

<sigh>

 

[Nina DiBoy]

Hi all:

I decided to install Vista Ultimate as a test on the PC we use to run
our plasma TV where we have had MCE for at least the last 2 years and
have always been pretty happy with it. So now that Vista is on there, a
movie just came on the kids channel that I wanted to record, and I got a
message:

"Vista cannot record this program due to restrictions imposed by the
provider" and Vista won't record it!!!

Pardon my French but this is bloody F&*king ridiculous!! Isn't the whole
point of PVR functionality so that we are not slaved to schedules and
can record and watch shows, broadcast over cable that we pay for, at a
more convenient time?

That's the end of Vista for that box, going back to MCE and I might look
into the PVR provided by my cable company and dump all Microsoft
entertainment OSes.

I am usually a huge fan of Microsoft products, but this "feature" is
just plain stupid and doesn't think about the end user...

John.

My sentiments exactly John. This is why in my house we use MythTV:

http://www.mythtv.org/

Free, and has no DRM. For those looking for something a bit simpler
than having to muck about with building a linux system manually, there
is Mythdora:

http://swik.net/MythDora

--
Priceless quotes in m.p.w.vista.general group:

"Price is actually no factor in piracy..." spoken by
Mike Brannigan

"But I'm not insulting people. I'm insulting Linux Loonies..."
spoken by Mike <[email protected]>

"No, I'm not sure. I was just making fun of Chad's typo."
spoken by Mike <[email protected]>

More great quotes here:
http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/kick.html

 

[Saucy]

Even Bill Gates is indicating that DRM a failure. Whether it was a failure
or no, I could have told you it was just plain wrong years ago. Too many
people think like idiots these days, though, and they devise these odious
schemes.

Saucy