Vista MCE (5744): Restricted Content on channels and recordings

[Me]

Hi,

Sorry for the crosspost but, not sure where it goes. I upgraded my MCE 2005
machine to Vista RC2 5744 a while ago. Now If I watch some channels, it just
goes to a blue screen saying the program is restricted to play on this
computer, if I change the channel and go back, it will show it for about
5-10 seconds, then go back to this blue screen. This even happens on prime
time news on one channel (NBC 10 out of Providence, RI). These shows are NOT
from HBO or or anything like that.

This also happens on a lot of recordings, where it will record about 10-20
min of a show and just stop. I also can not even play a DVD on the machine
getting some error that I looked up that shows a copy protected error.

This problem happend in MCE 2005 with Rollup 2, I removed rollup 2 and it
was fine. I attempted to update drivers(newest versions that works with
vista), reinstall my DVD decoder, video drivers, anything that I can think
of. I went though all the problems with the MCE 2005 rollup 2 problems, and
no help at all.

I understand copy protection but, when it worked fine on MCE 2005 and showed
it was copy protected programs but, I could watch it, and record it, why
can't I with Vista MCE ?

What is the problem, and how can I fix it ? I have seen tons of problems on
this issue and no resolve.

Any clue ? need help here.... !!!!!!

 

[Nina DiBoy]

Hi,

Sorry for the crosspost but, not sure where it goes. I upgraded my MCE
2005 machine to Vista RC2 5744 a while ago. Now If I watch some
channels, it just goes to a blue screen saying the program is restricted
to play on this computer, if I change the channel and go back, it will
show it for about 5-10 seconds, then go back to this blue screen. This
even happens on prime time news on one channel (NBC 10 out of
Providence, RI). These shows are NOT from HBO or or anything like that.

This also happens on a lot of recordings, where it will record about
10-20 min of a show and just stop. I also can not even play a DVD on the
machine getting some error that I looked up that shows a copy protected
error.

This problem happend in MCE 2005 with Rollup 2, I removed rollup 2 and
it was fine. I attempted to update drivers(newest versions that works
with vista), reinstall my DVD decoder, video drivers, anything that I
can think of. I went though all the problems with the MCE 2005 rollup 2
problems, and no help at all.

I understand copy protection but, when it worked fine on MCE 2005 and
showed it was copy protected programs but, I could watch it, and record
it, why can't I with Vista MCE ?

What is the problem, and how can I fix it ? I have seen tons of problems
on this issue and no resolve.

Any clue ? need help here.... !!!!!!

Yes, if the buggy DRM of windows is giving you problems, try running a
media center without content protection. I use this at home and because
there is no content protection software in my setup, everything just
works and I have no idea if the channel or program I am watching at any
given time is content protected.

Mythdora:
http://www.mythpvr.com/mythtv/mythdora/install/howto.html



--
Priceless quotes in m.p.w.vista.general group:
http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/kick.html

"Good poets borrow; great poets steal."
- T. S. Eliot

 

[Me]

Thanks for the info but, looking to see if there is a way to fix the DRM
issues on Vista. Thinking about nuking vista and putting back MCE 2005 with
out Rollup 2, just hate to spend the 3 hours configuing everything if I
don't have to. Also I do like the new interface of Vista MCE so I hate to
downgrade if I don't have to.

Any other ideas on how to fix this DRM issue under Vista ??????

 

[Mickey A]

I have experienced the same issues with my MCE2005 w/R2. I have DTV STB and
I suspect it is something the GUIDE tells it todo based on channel/show. I
have yet to be able to record FRAISER on LIFETIME. Obviously have seen the
HBO issues after recording not being able to do anything other than watch.
Entirely different with Lifetime as it won't even record due to
restrictions.

There has to be an answer out there somewhere short of punting MCE.

--Mickey

Thanks for the info but, looking to see if there is a way to fix the DRM
issues on Vista. Thinking about nuking vista and putting back MCE 2005
with out Rollup 2, just hate to spend the 3 hours configuing everything if
I don't have to. Also I do like the new interface of Vista MCE so I hate
to downgrade if I don't have to.

Any other ideas on how to fix this DRM issue under Vista ??????

 

[Guest]

I'm seeing this in the last week on certain HBO channels via DirecTV. Agree
that there has to be some bad guide data floating around-won't even let me
watch movies either on the primary MCE machine or my 360 extenders.

Any MVPs out there reading this? HELP!

I have experienced the same issues with my MCE2005 w/R2. I have DTV STB and
I suspect it is something the GUIDE tells it todo based on channel/show. I
have yet to be able to record FRAISER on LIFETIME. Obviously have seen the
HBO issues after recording not being able to do anything other than watch.
Entirely different with Lifetime as it won't even record due to
restrictions.

There has to be an answer out there somewhere short of punting MCE.

--Mickey

 

[Richard Green]

I'm seeing this in the last week on certain HBO channels via DirecTV.
Agree that there has to be some bad guide data floating around-won't
even let me watch movies either on the primary MCE machine or my 360
extenders.

Any MVPs out there reading this? HELP!

I'm not a MVP (but I play one on TV)...

Seriously, I had this issue and the way I got rid of it was to delete all
the guide data and repopulate the list.

 

[Me]

I'd give anything a shot right now, it's about a day away before I kill
vista because of this problem. I lost a few shows this week because they
would not record ( Restricted Content )and I was at work, that is not fair !

How is this done ?

 

[arachnid]

I'd give anything a shot right now, it's about a day away before I kill
vista because of this problem. I lost a few shows this week because they
would not record ( Restricted Content )and I was at work, that is not fair
!

This can't possibly have happened. We've been assured that the only people
inconvenienced by DRM are pirates. </sarcasm>

 

[Mickey A]

Let us know of your findings. I will be interested to hear if dumping and
reloading the guide helps any.

--Mick

I'd give anything a shot right now, it's about a day away before I kill
vista because of this problem. I lost a few shows this week because they
would not record ( Restricted Content )and I was at work, that is not fair
!

How is this done ?

 

[Me]

Nah, No luck. Looks like I am going to have to dump Vista MCE and go back to
MCE 2005 with out Rollup 2. It's not worth having to deal with not recording
shows and not being able to even watch channels. I can not even watch a DVD
because of this protected crap.

I attempted to record one of the Law and Orders the other night, Not only
would it stop after about 20 min, the screen would go blue stating
Restricted Content. So now I can't even watch the shows ? Never mind the
recordings missed for my soon to be wife (yea, it's been a big issue in this
house). If this happens on the RTM, vista will die as a PVR option.

I do like the Vista MCE interface, I like how it runs, the menu options,
everything about it besides this DRM / CGMS-A problem. When you can't even
watch shows because of an issue like this, why even use it ?

I understand copy protection, and why they do it but, when it makes it
difficult for an honest user to even watch tv, this becomes a major problem.
A old PC for a PVR, what I cool idea, I sometimes think I was better off
just getting a Tivo (and cheaper too).

Any other ideas before I spend a night Nuking the box ?

Let us know of your findings. I will be interested to hear if dumping and
reloading the guide helps any.

--Mick

 

[Guest]

OK, I fixed my problem (which was with MCE 2005) by deleting everything in
the docs&settings/allusers/drm folder (after making sure system files were
visible), then downloading something from:
http://go.microsoft.com/FWlink?/LinkID=34506 then reboot. basically it
knocks out the current DRM store and starts from scratch. anything with drm
recorded prior to doing this likely won't be playable, which wasn't a problem
for me.

Gotta be some way to do in Vista.

Nah, No luck. Looks like I am going to have to dump Vista MCE and go back to
MCE 2005 with out Rollup 2. It's not worth having to deal with not recording
shows and not being able to even watch channels. I can not even watch a DVD
because of this protected crap.

I attempted to record one of the Law and Orders the other night, Not only
would it stop after about 20 min, the screen would go blue stating
Restricted Content. So now I can't even watch the shows ? Never mind the
recordings missed for my soon to be wife (yea, it's been a big issue in this
house). If this happens on the RTM, vista will die as a PVR option.

I do like the Vista MCE interface, I like how it runs, the menu options,
everything about it besides this DRM / CGMS-A problem. When you can't even
watch shows because of an issue like this, why even use it ?

I understand copy protection, and why they do it but, when it makes it
difficult for an honest user to even watch tv, this becomes a major problem.
A old PC for a PVR, what I cool idea, I sometimes think I was better off
just getting a Tivo (and cheaper too).

Any other ideas before I spend a night Nuking the box ?

 

[Me]

I think I know what your talking about...

http://drmlicense.one.microsoft.com/Indivsite/en/indivit.asp?force=1

Forces a DRM reset to take care of it. The problem is, the upgrade is
blacked out on my MCE machine. My other machine can be upgraded fine(both
Vista 5744). So, it's a problems with this vista version.

Anyone have a clue on this one ?

 

[Mickey A]

Bingo - this fix is workging for me. I don't expect any miracles on the
Premium channels but LIFETIME is working with no restrictions.

I really suspect it was result of Windows Media 11 which Vista has by
default. I would expect a fix for the Vista folks. I just hope its obvious
an not so ellusive as the XP fix is.