BroadcastFlag
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Elgato says no to voluntary DRM broadcast flags
Yesterday, I was reading through our sister site TV Squad and saw this post about Broadcast Flags that prevent PCs from recording shows. Broadcast flags, which are signals sent in a digital TV data stream, indicate whether shows should or should not be recorded by third party equipment such as PVRs. Curious, I shot off an email to Nick Freeman of Elgato to see whether my Mac-based EyeTV would block flagged recordings. Turns out that my Macintosh is a libertarian. I can continue recording any shows I receive. Phew. Not only did Nick get right back to me, he put up this handy info page about Elgato's position on broadcast flags: EyeTV doesn't restrict recording. EyeTV (and Elgato's software in general) ignores voluntary DRM, the kind that asks you to shoot yourself in your own foot if you don't mind thankyouverymuch. I was blissfully ignorant of these flags until yesterday. In a world of product placement and in-screen logos, does it really make sense to keep people away from watching your shows? It's not as though I don't get the concept -- a return to appointment television where people go to the bathroom during commercial breaks instead of fast forwarding -- but it just struck me as so incredibly brain-dead in its execution. What a pity that Microsoft chose to support this silliness with Media Center. And bravo to Elgato for deciding not to. What kinds of voluntary DRM can you think up? Let us know in the comments. Mine is broadcast-approved earplugs. Stick them in whenever you encounter sounds that might be copyright.
The Middleman throws broadcast flag on ABC Family
Sheesh, again? Not even a month after the collective HTPC community begrudgingly forgave Microsoft / NBC / whomever for throwing up the broadcast flag on select NBC programs, we've got yet another instance of Media Center users being unable to record a (late) primetime show. Reports around the web are suggesting that ABC Family's The Middleman threw the flag on a number of systems -- not just Vista -- and it's hard to say right now who is at fault. TVSquad's Brett Love had no issues capturing the show in HD and SD via his cable company-provided HD DVR, thus he's guessing the finger of blame is pointing in the general direction of Redmond. So, what gives? Will users continue to see these things followed by a quiet apology, or will the kinks really be ironed out so our perfectly legal time-shifting can resume?
Microsoft releases a patch for the "broadcast flag"
Vista Media Center users got a rude awakening a few weeks ago when they were unable to record some of the favorite programs on NBC. What really got us scratching our head, is that unlike the normal improperly flagged content cable customers have grown all to accustomed to, this one affected over-the-air (OTA) users as well. We thought this was odd because the broadcast flag was struck down, and we'd thought we'd heard the end of it. The problem was actually a cable content protection scheme called CGMS-A, and when NBC inadvertently flagged some OTA content copy-never with it, users were left in the dark. While there's no way to tell if NBC learned its lesson the good news is that Microsoft has, and the Windows update KB950126 will change the behavior. Now content inadvertently flagged content coming into VMC via OTA or analog cable will be recorded regardless of how it is flagged. Unfortunately the same can't be said for those with CableCARD tuners or connected to a STB via S-Video, you're still out of luck, sorry.
NBC admits "inadvertent" broadcast flag use, still doesn't explain why it actually worked
Just an update on the broadcast flag controversy: NBC has copped to an "inadvertent mistake" in flagging the broadcast of American Gladiators as content prohibited from recording, while Microsoft stated it is only following the FCC's rules, and "fully adheres to flags used by broadcasters". This conveniently ignores the fact that there is no legal requirement for Windows Vista Media Center to recognize the broadcast flag and disable recording, but it does. Errant metadata can and does happen, but for such a "feature" to be buried within one's software unknowingly is troubling. Expect to hear more from the EFF and others questioning why Media Center unnecessarily turns parts of itself off at a broadcaster's command, and rightly so. What's most disturbing, and likely to go sadly without protest is that someone out there is actually watching, and trying to record for later, American Gladiators. The more you know indeed.[Via Techdirt]
Broadcast Flag rides again, courtesy of NBC & Microsoft?
Just like efforts to close the analog hole, our old friend the broadcast flag (don't remember what that is and how it was defeated? Take a quick trip back to 2005 with us) has reared its ugly head again. Displaying the kind of tenacity rarely seen outside of horror movie villains and potential presidential candidates, some Vista Media Center users have apparently gotten the above popup while trying to record broadcast TV from NBC. Since the FCC regulation giving the broadcast flag its power to remotely disable your recording ability was overturned, not only should it not be enabled, there's no reason the system should respond if it were. The EFF's working with the makers of the HDHomeRun to find out why this happened at all (although it's not the first time); whether it's an honest mistake somewhere or if Microsoft slipped a bit of extra DRM into its latest OS.[Via EFF]
Canadian cable providers locking out Vista Media Centers?
Nearly a month after Warner Bros. axed advanced screenings in Canada while tagging priacy as the scapegoat, now Canucks are facing another bout with DRM right inside their homes. According to a lengthy list of complaints over at TheGreenButton, it appears that some Canadian cable providers (Rogers and Shaw, namely) are seemingly throwing the broadcast flag onto a questionable amount of content. Essentially, users who are trying to record said programming via their own Windows Vista Media Center setup are receiving all sorts of errors and messages informing them that the material (even on basic cable) they are trying to record is laced with "restrictions set by the broadcaster and / or originator of the content." Interestingly, it seems that the blame here lies more with the cable companies and not some glitch within Vista, as more than a few customers have received responses from their providers suggesting that they ditch the whole PVR idea and instead rely on the company-provided DVR (at a cost, of course). So, dear Canadians, are any of you fighting this same battle?
CBC declares HDTV to have "no business model"
While we've seen plenty of HD expansion in our northern extension, it seems that Robert Rabinovich -- president of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation -- feels that broadcasters are getting the short straw. Contrary to the UK's Freeview system, which gives the public a bevy of cost-free SD channels and is seeing a mutual, unforced push to go HD, we here in North America tend to let content guardians keep a tighter grip on how things are done. Essentially, the prez stated that HDTV "has no business model," claiming a complete lack of motivation for advertisers to pay more to have their plugs shown during an HD show verses an SD show. Apparently his feathers are all ruffled because advertisers are saying that the choice to broadcast HD is "none of their business," leaving broadcasters that do pump out that HD goodness no actual way to recoup the costs. Although we can (kind of) see where ole Robert is coming from, claiming that HD doesn't influence the amount of viewers (which advertisers certainly are interested in) is a tad absurd, and if more companies would actually offer up HD commercials, we might actually slow down and pay attention. [Warning: Read link requires subscription][Via Slashdot]
Sirius Stiletto delay FCC-related?
Let's recap: Sirius gets us all in a tizzy by announcing its first "personal live satellite radio product," then opens up the floodgates to pre-orders, and suddenly pulls the rug out from under the whole deal by demanding that retailers stop taking orders of the Stiletto 100 under further notice. The cause behind such a curious sequence of events might not be manufacturing hangups, supplier shortages, or any of the most common issues related with postponed launches -- rather, the company may simply be waiting for an FCC ID number. Considering the agency hasn't exactly been an ally in Sirius' production process (nor XM's, to be fair), we aren't terribly surprised at the supposed culprit. A tiny, albeit powerful snippet of fine print within FCC guidelines prohibits the marketing of products that aren't in good standing with the commission, which gives strong suspicion that Sirius is just holding its horses until the Stiletto 100 is granted its oh-so-honorable identification tag -- whenever that may be.[Via Orbitcast]
CEA smacks down "thinly veiled attack" by RIAA on fair use
Sounds like consumers (and random people in toxic waste suits) aren't the only ones getting tired of the RIAA's antics. Consumer Electronics Association chief Gary Shapiro had some harsh words for the music industry the other day. He's particularly miffed at the RIAA's wild and fairly unrealistic expectations for an audio broadcast flag. Not only did they start pushing for the spec rather late in the digital radio game, potentially making current investments by broadcasters worthless, but they're not offering any help on the actual spec itself. "In short," says Gary, "the RIAA wants to stop consumers from doing what they've been doing since a tape recorder was first used to capture a song played over the air for private use." Shapiro says the CEA is plenty willing to play the DRM game, and limit "the mass indiscriminate redistribution of music over the Internet," but he says "The game of crying wolf [over piracy] is not only tiresome; it's harmful to consumers and innovation." We couldn't have put it better ourselves.[Via Ars Technica]
The Broadcast Flag is back
The Broadcast Flag is back folks. We thought it was gone but apparently this thing just won't die. It has sneaked in under a general telecom bill but if you read the details of the bill, you will see a bunch of things about copy protection. This guy is worse then the first one! It includes mandates for an Audio Broadcast flag that will spread its DRM blanket over digital and satellite radio. The new provision though calls for more copy protection then ever and a broader stance on what is Fair Use. The bad news is that this bill is being voted on today but Senator John Sununu of New Hampshire is proposing an amendment to strike this broadcast flags on both video and audio. This is going down today so if you feel so inclined to support this amendment, Public Knowledge has a list of Senators you should call ASAP.
Broadcast Flag sneaks into telecom bill
Those MPAA types are sure a bunch of kidders. After having their Broadcast Flag thoroughly trounced in court, and die many deaths in Congress, they've managed to hide it in a 151 page telecommunications bill. They've even gone with a particularly egregious version, since they were hoping nobody would notice. Not only is it paired with the Audio Flag, but it makes no real exceptions for fair use, and while we're sure The Little Engine That Could would be proud of the perseverance on display here, we have to say these attempts are getting a bit old. The good news is that grassroots efforts are already underway to help you contact your Senator and give him or her a good talking to, Senator Sununu will be offering an amendment to strike the Flag portions from the bill, and the kind folks at Public Knowledge have thrown together a nice list of talking points to fuel consumer side of the debate. We're sure this isn't the last effort we'll see of the Broadcast Flag, but the attempts are sure seeming a bit more desperate.
NAB speaks out against downconverting
The National Association of Broadcasters has joined the Big Four in petitioning Congress to stop a bill that would include provisions allowing cable television providers the right to downconvert HDTV broadcasts to DTV. Between this new article and a note on TV Predictions, we were also able to better understand what all the fuss is about. If you're as confused as I was, the point of contention here are "must-carry" laws, that would require cable companies to carry multiple HDTV streams that the local affiliates broadcast. The cable companies say this would use up their valuable bandwidth, while the affiliates fear that cable companies could refuse to carry their high definition broadcast unless the affiliates paid them to.That still seems to be a longshot, as we all know the most desirable HD programming is on the network stations, if cable companies limited that then why would their subscribers pay extra for HD? Additionally, if the reason I can't get HGTV-HD is because there are three ABC affiliates in my area, that would really suck. Of course in some areas cable is all there is and if they refused to carry an HD Super Bowl or other event without payment, customers would be stuck with HDTVs and no HD. Worse yet, they are still trying to force Broadcast Flag legislation through that could prevent you from recording high-def broadcasts. All this government talk makes me want to turn to C-SPAN, why aren't they in 720p yet?Read - Broadcasting & CableRead - TV Predictions
Ted Stevens revives the broadcast flag. Again.
You'd think that Senator Ted Stevens, a man we've mentioned here many a time before, would have had a change of heart about the broadcast flag legislation in the brief moment of clarity he supposedly had (that prompted IPac to send all those Congresspeople free iPods). Well, we hate to break it to you, but the broadcast flag is back yet again, thanks to you-know-who. The wily creature last spotted in H.R. 4861 (the Audio Broadcast Flag Licensing Act of 2006), has been seen riding along with another bill Stevens recently introduced, a 135 page behemoth on net neutrality (which is a whole 'nother issue we're not even gonna get into right now). We're not sure how many times Stevens or other officials feel obligated to try resurrecting this egregious offense against consumer rights and fair use, but we'll be there with, um, the CEA, to make sure we do our part to see it struck down (again), as well as to politely tell Mr. Stevens, "No, you get a job."[Via IPAC and BoingBoing]
