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Your latest opinions on copy protection
Copy protection is.....
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I honestly believe we will have dual formats in the end. HDMI and 1394. This way Hollywood will have their PPV and we will be able to record all other programming.
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Wow, I am already suprised by the results of that poll. Most of you believe
that pay per view is the hidden goal.....
that pay per view is the hidden goal.....
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All the above? Nearly!
I'd answer (a), but the motives are not so hidden, are they? One of the many goals is probably something PPV-like (pay for a limited-time copy, perhaps). I'm perfectly okay with this - I don't want Hollywood movies taking up valuable space on my hard drive, anyhow. If they delete themselves automatically, good riddance. This won't be the only option, though. As always, they will be glad to sell you a permanent copy or perhaps a one generation-copyable copy ...for a higher price, obviously.
As far as choices (c) and (d) are concerned, there is some truth in both. As I see it, the tighter security will result in a larger number of higher-quality films from Hollywood on cable and satellite, along with a more agressive film release schedule.
Choice (b) is the only one I'd vote against. Even if it is eventually discovered that copy protection isn't necessary for the film business to thrive, it's not a useless tonic if it relieves constipation and gets things moving.
One thing that never gets mentioned: Copy protection may help the little guys even more than it helps the big guys. The big guys have other revenue streams to tap into and they have economies of scale because their content is engineered for mass appeal. If anyone can price their movies low enough to sell them and still make a profit in a world with no copy protection, Hollywood can. If they can't, what hope is there for a small independent? Wouldn't it be deliciously ironic if the copy protection systems promoted by Hollywood ended up taking away some of their market share?
I'd answer (a), but the motives are not so hidden, are they? One of the many goals is probably something PPV-like (pay for a limited-time copy, perhaps). I'm perfectly okay with this - I don't want Hollywood movies taking up valuable space on my hard drive, anyhow. If they delete themselves automatically, good riddance. This won't be the only option, though. As always, they will be glad to sell you a permanent copy or perhaps a one generation-copyable copy ...for a higher price, obviously.
As far as choices (c) and (d) are concerned, there is some truth in both. As I see it, the tighter security will result in a larger number of higher-quality films from Hollywood on cable and satellite, along with a more agressive film release schedule.
Choice (b) is the only one I'd vote against. Even if it is eventually discovered that copy protection isn't necessary for the film business to thrive, it's not a useless tonic if it relieves constipation and gets things moving.
One thing that never gets mentioned: Copy protection may help the little guys even more than it helps the big guys. The big guys have other revenue streams to tap into and they have economies of scale because their content is engineered for mass appeal. If anyone can price their movies low enough to sell them and still make a profit in a world with no copy protection, Hollywood can. If they can't, what hope is there for a small independent? Wouldn't it be deliciously ironic if the copy protection systems promoted by Hollywood ended up taking away some of their market share?
I really don't have a problem with copy protection. Wait, before you start foaming at the mouth and let me explain my point of view. I believe that content creators have a right to be paid for their efforts, but I also think I have legal right of use. If I purchase a book or a DVD or whatever (either by paying for it outright or enduring the commercials that pay for it) it's mine. If, I wish to loan or give it to friend I no longer have use of it myself until it is returned to me. I don't see that format in any of the present copy protection schemes. As for making my present HDTV gear obsolete, I would be very irate and instead of being the HDTV evangelist I have been for the last 2 years I would probably tell my friends to keep their money in their pocket. To screw us, the early adopters, would be economically crazy as we have sold HDTV equipment more than any pimply faced kid at a super store. To so offend us, early adopters, the people the next round of purchasers would ask question of, we would not be so enthusiastic.
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Arpacian,
The format you're talking about is fully supported by the imminent copy protection schemes. Take a D-Theater tape, for example. This is the old, familiar "join the work inextricably to a physical object" routine. We have longstanding laws that cover this situation (the First Sale Doctrine). They allow you to sell or give or loan the object containing the work. As I recall, they don't allow you to rent the object and it's implied that you can't retain a copy if you sell the object. The pre-recorded HD-DVD format will undoubtedly be the same deal.
The format you're talking about is fully supported by the imminent copy protection schemes. Take a D-Theater tape, for example. This is the old, familiar "join the work inextricably to a physical object" routine. We have longstanding laws that cover this situation (the First Sale Doctrine). They allow you to sell or give or loan the object containing the work. As I recall, they don't allow you to rent the object and it's implied that you can't retain a copy if you sell the object. The pre-recorded HD-DVD format will undoubtedly be the same deal.
Bob,
I'm not seeing this. I have a pocket pc and use it mostly as an e-book reader. The copy protection scheme for e-books does not allow me to transfer the books from my device to someone as it is dedicated to my particular device. I could loan my pc to someone but not the book itself. I fear that direction as they charge nearly as much for an e-book as for a hardcover. The other fear I have is for my analog only input to my HDTV. On the e-book side a black market has developed because of the copy protection scheme and now the artist receives nothing at all. If they really want copy protection sell the product at a price point no one without mass production can compete with. No black market.
I'm not seeing this. I have a pocket pc and use it mostly as an e-book reader. The copy protection scheme for e-books does not allow me to transfer the books from my device to someone as it is dedicated to my particular device. I could loan my pc to someone but not the book itself. I fear that direction as they charge nearly as much for an e-book as for a hardcover. The other fear I have is for my analog only input to my HDTV. On the e-book side a black market has developed because of the copy protection scheme and now the artist receives nothing at all. If they really want copy protection sell the product at a price point no one without mass production can compete with. No black market.
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Seems like the reason the studios avocate, that it would enable them to
release HDTV movies, is dead last. Where's the trust ?
release HDTV movies, is dead last. Where's the trust ?
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Quote:
That's e-books. We're talking about digital video and its license/encryption chain, including D-Theater, PHILA/DFAST, DTCP/5C/DTVLink, HDCP/HDMI, etc. The rules are different. Need I remind you that DVDs, which you used as a positive example in your first message, also contain copy protection (CSS) - and you seem to have happily used your DVD without having to crack the protection?
Mr. Moore,
If you're looking for trust, this forum is not the best place to search. You don't need any survey to tell you that!
The truth is out there: D-VHS comes out and nobody releases content. D-Theater comes out and several studios release content. Some of us would be inclined to wait them out. But others will refuse to join our union. All they wanna do is dance.
| Originally posted by Arpacian I'm not seeing this. I have a pocket pc and use it mostly as an e-book reader. The copy protection scheme for e-books does not allow me to transfer the books from my device to someone as it is dedicated to my particular device. |
Mr. Moore,
If you're looking for trust, this forum is not the best place to search. You don't need any survey to tell you that!
The truth is out there: D-VHS comes out and nobody releases content. D-Theater comes out and several studios release content. Some of us would be inclined to wait them out. But others will refuse to join our union. All they wanna do is dance.Bob,
I used e-books because they also are "creative content" and subject to the same laws. I also used them as an example because the price structure created the black market. DVDs are a good example for a positive price structure. It is cheaper to buy an original than it is to make a copy. If they follow the same structure with HD-DVD there will not be a problem. If they degrade my analog only input to my TV or prevent people optimizing the output to their systems via computer as so many on this forum do, there will be a problem. While I am mostly a lurker here I have learned a great deal. When I demo my system to my friends they are amazed by what can be achieved with HTPC.
I used e-books because they also are "creative content" and subject to the same laws. I also used them as an example because the price structure created the black market. DVDs are a good example for a positive price structure. It is cheaper to buy an original than it is to make a copy. If they follow the same structure with HD-DVD there will not be a problem. If they degrade my analog only input to my TV or prevent people optimizing the output to their systems via computer as so many on this forum do, there will be a problem. While I am mostly a lurker here I have learned a great deal. When I demo my system to my friends they are amazed by what can be achieved with HTPC.
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Arpacian,
I'd be surprised if the industry does not follow the successful model of DVD when they implement HD-DVD.
Degrading analog outputs is a big topic, covered ad nauseum in this forum. I would react the same way you said you would react if this ever happens. I just can't see it happening because I know there's plenty of time before piracy of hi-def programming can become a serious issue and there's a technological solution in development that will make most people happy. What I don't understand is why the industry has failed to come out with a definitive statement to this effect.
I'd be surprised if the industry does not follow the successful model of DVD when they implement HD-DVD.
Degrading analog outputs is a big topic, covered ad nauseum in this forum. I would react the same way you said you would react if this ever happens. I just can't see it happening because I know there's plenty of time before piracy of hi-def programming can become a serious issue and there's a technological solution in development that will make most people happy. What I don't understand is why the industry has failed to come out with a definitive statement to this effect.
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