AfterDawn: News

Broadcast flags were 'accidents', says NBC

This week it was reported that NBC was sending out broadcast flags with its Monday night programming thus blocking Vista Media Center users from recording the programming. At the time both Microsoft and the broadcaster argued they did not know what had cause the interference but were investigating.

The incidents caused uproar on the internet especially considering that broadcast flag laws were thrown out and therefore no software needs to abide by them, even if they are sent out by the broadcaster. NBC has made a new statement today, saying the interference were purely a mistake.



"We made an inadvertent mistake," an NBC spokeswoman explained, "We're not aware of any other complaints, and we believe we have addressed the problem."

Because DRM flagging is no longer mandatory, it seems that Microsoft is voluntarily having its Vista Media Center restrict recording. It could also be a monetary deal with the TV broadcasters. Microsoft has said however that it is "working with media outlets to cut down on the number of false DRM flags."

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 20 May 2008 15:32

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• 20 comments

• iluvendo

  Quote:"We made an inadvertent mistake," an NBC spokeswoman explained, "We're not aware of any other complaints,
  
  
  
  Just blind and deaf.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Quote:and we believe we have addressed the problem."
  
  So where is the "mea culpa" ?

  20.5.2008 15:43 #1

• 7thsinger

  Horse crap.

  20.5.2008 16:00 #2

• Pop_Smith

  Quote:The incidents caused uproar on the internet especially considering that broadcast flag laws were thrown out and therefore no software needs to abide by themWell, with what this says, why doesn't Microsoft just release a patch that removes the ability for Vista Media Center to read such flags if legally nothing needs to abide to them?

  20.5.2008 16:58 #3

• ThePastor

  Because Microsoft has voluntarily implemented these rules. You can bet they did so knowing full well the implications.
  
  There really is no suprise here. Why did people drop Media Player like a pregnant prom queen back when DRM first started up? People went to WinAMP in droves. Windows is the "McDonalds" of Operating Systems and as such is expected by "The business community" to abide by each and every little thing. You can bet that there is LOTS of money involved here and Windows implemented this crap after some VERY DEEP pockets said that they should.
  The result is that:
  A) People will drop Media Center like they did with Media Player and use third party apps. (I highly reccomend "Media Portal" ... Search it!
  B) Windows will end up getting tons of grief and in the end will take out some, but not all of the restrictions and try to rebuild their reputation.
  
  The only problem is that this type of stuff is inherent in Vista and so this is just the beginning.
  Wait until you fire up your Nero Burning Rom only to have Windows Vista tell you that "You are not authorized to burn that movie on to DVD" ...
  
  Stick with XP and let the sheep deal with this kind of crapola.

  20.5.2008 18:47 #4

• iluvendo

  Originally posted by ThePastor: Because Microsoft has voluntarily implemented these rules. You can bet they did so knowing full well the implications.
  
  There really is no suprise here. Why did people drop Media Player like a pregnant prom queen back when DRM first started up? People went to WinAMP in droves. Windows is the "McDonalds" of Operating Systems and as such is expected by "The business community" to abide by each and every little thing. You can bet that there is LOTS of money involved here and Windows implemented this crap after some VERY DEEP pockets said that they should.
  The result is that:
  A) People will drop Media Center like they did with Media Player and use third party apps. (I highly reccomend "Media Portal" ... Search it!
  B) Windows will end up getting tons of grief and in the end will take out some, but not all of the restrictions and try to rebuild their reputation.
  
  The only problem is that this type of stuff is inherent in Vista and so this is just the beginning.
  Wait until you fire up your Nero Burning Rom only to have Windows Vista tell you that "You are not authorized to burn that movie on to DVD" ...
  
  
  
  
  Quote:Stick with XP and let the sheep deal with this kind of crapola.
  A big Amen Pastor !
  

  If it wasnt for bad luck, Id have no luck!
  "The flimsier the product,the higher the price"
  Ferengi 82nd rule of aquisition

  20.5.2008 19:51 #5

• Gradical

  I knew i was doing the right thing when flushed down the toilet the crapy Vista ultimate my hp laptop got, it took a lot of efort to do it since it had sata and bios didn´t have the option to disable it, but in the end its well worth it! XD, and if they get through xp to i always will have that extra partition running ubuntu to rely to, is just that im waiting for it to gain a little more mommentum, and a little bit more perfection in the Wine emulator

  20.5.2008 21:21 #6

• 7thsinger

  Quote:The only problem is that this type of stuff is inherent in Vista and so this is just the beginning.
  Exactly.
  
  The only surprise is how long it took before something became public and not just whispers around the campfire by a bunch of programmer bloggers.
  
  Stay tuned, there's more to come.

  20.5.2008 21:26 #7

• cleverick

  Quote:Quote:The incidents caused uproar on the internet especially considering that broadcast flag laws were thrown out and therefore no software needs to abide by themWell, with what this says, why doesn't Microsoft just release a patch that removes the ability for Vista Media Center to read such flags if legally nothing needs to abide to them?
  because that would be too easy.

  20.5.2008 22:07 #8

• 7thsinger

  Easy stops after prom night.

  20.5.2008 22:11 #9

• iluvendo

  Originally posted by cleverick: Quote:Quote:The incidents caused uproar on the internet especially considering that broadcast flag laws were thrown out and therefore no software needs to abide by themWell, with what this says, why doesn't Microsoft just release a patch that removes the ability for Vista Media Center to read such flags if legally nothing needs to abide to them?
  Quote:because that would be too easy.
  No, because M$ got bought off.
  

  If it wasnt for bad luck, Id have no luck!
  "The flimsier the product,the higher the price"
  Ferengi 82nd rule of aquisition

  20.5.2008 22:23 #10

• BurningAs

  Well, At least we know their one time excuse of accident is used. It shouldn't happen again because then they won't have a valid excuse.

  20.5.2008 22:54 #11

• iluvendo

  Originally posted by BurningAs: Well, At least we know their one time excuse of accident is used. It shouldn't happen again because then they won't have a valid excuse.
  Well by golly it happened again. Folks we had to fire the person in charge (some lowly scapegoat), Gosh we're sorry. Won't let it happen again. Honest.
  
  This will be their 2nd excuse.
  

  If it wasnt for bad luck, Id have no luck!
  "The flimsier the product,the higher the price"
  Ferengi 82nd rule of aquisition

  20.5.2008 23:05 #12

• 7thsinger

  I also highly doubt this will be a one time event. I wouldn't be surprised if this was just a little field test of the capabilities.

  21.5.2008 08:06 #13

• bdoggie08

  post problems...

  21.5.2008 12:45 #14

• bdoggie08

  *double post sorry

  21.5.2008 12:48 #15

• glassd

  I'm a Vista Sheep. MS should offer something like an alcohol anonymous program for Vista users like me. Vista Compatible is the biggest Lie ever.

  21.5.2008 13:25 #16

• bdoggie08

  Vista + 360 = Sh*t

  21.5.2008 13:27 #17

• JRude

  SAVE your old peripherals that do NOT have HDMI. Get a BOXED copy of XP before June 30. The OEM version will not transfer to another PC! If you think that test was an accident, wait til they flag over the air transmissions too, which they WILL in the next few years. Remember, it's NOT about Piracy, but forcing you to pay for EACH format and EACH view or play! VISTA FISTA!? Ha! Who needs support for XP with SP2 (SP2 can be d/l'd from M$ to disc and can be saved for the future). 2nd PC here is an XP with SP2, a GOOD firewall and AV behind a router. NEVER got a virus, hijacking, or worm! Nor M$ updates. JUDICIOUS use of the internet AWAY from IE using Firefox or other browsers goes a long way. Don't be sheep. All that glitters with ''WOW'' is not gold. Be it VISTA, Blu-Ray or snazzy ''media center'' PC's. But it sure is DRM'd! lol! Gonna be a LOT of sad sheep in a couple years when DRM is cranked up wholesale.

  21.5.2008 17:44 #18

• iluvendo

  Originally posted by JRude: SAVE your old peripherals that do NOT have HDMI. Get a BOXED copy of XP before June 30. The OEM version will not transfer to another PC! If you think that test was an accident, wait til they flag over the air transmissions too, which they WILL in the next few years. Remember, it's NOT about Piracy, but forcing you to pay for EACH format and EACH view or play! VISTA FISTA!? Ha! Who needs support for XP with SP2 (SP2 can be d/l'd from M$ to disc and can be saved for the future). 2nd PC here is an XP with SP2, a GOOD firewall and AV behind a router. NEVER got a virus, hijacking, or worm! Nor M$ updates. JUDICIOUS use of the internet AWAY from IE using Firefox or other browsers goes a long way. Don't be sheep. All that glitters with ''WOW'' is not gold. Be it VISTA, Blu-Ray or snazzy ''media center'' PC's. But it sure is DRM'd! lol! Gonna be a LOT of sad sheep in a couple years when DRM is cranked up wholesale.
  
  JRude speaks plain truth !
  

  If it wasnt for bad luck, Id have no luck!
  "The flimsier the product,the higher the price"
  Ferengi 82nd rule of aquisition

  21.5.2008 18:36 #19

• Gradical

  alleluyah!! :p

  21.5.2008 23:05 #20