The next release of Microsoft's Windows operating system will take a look at your videos and music for you, letting you play them if it confirms they're genuine and not copies or downloads, but only on a media player it deems appropriate.

For the first time, the Windows operating system will wall off some audio and video processes almost completely from users and outside programmers, in hopes of making them harder for hackers to reach. The company is establishing digital security checks that could even shut off a computer's connections to some monitors or televisions if antipiracy procedures that stop high-quality video copying aren't in place.

Movie studios and record labels have asked Microsoft to implement a CD-key sort of security for entertainment content, much like games and software have currently. They have also asked for software that locks the media content away from the user (and any other running program) and only plays studio- and label- approved output methods. Will we be stuck listening and watching everything on a stripped-down version of Windows Media Player?

Microsoft is aware that the high level of protection--which could result in some monitors and TVs not playing high-definition content at full resolution--could spark criticism and confusion.

The company is quick to say that this has not been a case of studios dictating policy to programmers.

"The studios are very good about not trying to design software," Paddleford said. "I've never had a studio say, 'We need an API (application programming interface) that does this.' But they do talk about, 'Well, we want to make sure that our theatrical content doesn't get played in any place but a theater.'"

Microsoft, in their drive to make a computer into the center of home entertainment, has been only too happy to comply with the wishes of studios and record labels.

Wannie

Kingston, ON

March 2004

AUG 30, 2005 10:07 AM

So either keep Windows XP or switch to Linux. Gotchya.

jake_lex

Lexington, KY

February 2003

AUG 30, 2005 10:09 AM

See, the thought here is going to be "Oh well, I got my stuff legally, I don't have to worry", but I do wonder how it's going to deal with DVD's with current copy protection, or, more worryingly, old CD's that lack any sort of copy protection/DRM at all.

In short, does this mean you'd have to buy new copies of the stuff you already own to play it in the new Windows?

[Edited on Aug 30, 2005 by jake_lex]

Telltale

USA

May 2004

AUG 30, 2005 10:12 AM

Why the hell am I buying an Xbox 360 and supporting this corporation?

Fucking MS.

venomkid

I'm lost

January 2003

AUG 30, 2005 10:13 AM

If it can be displayed/played it can be copied blah blah yeah whatever...

What scares me is that, once a system like this is in place, it can be used to lock out independent media producers. "What, you didn't pay for your Microsoft Legitimacy Code? Sorry indie moviemaker, your self-produced movie won't play on anyone's computer but your own!"

[Edited on Aug 30, 2005 1:14PM]

d20

San Francisco, CA

September 2003

AUG 30, 2005 10:15 AM

JayHawk said:
Why the hell am I buying an Xbox 360 and supporting this corporation?

Fucking MS.

because the xbox is a sweet and tender crack rock, that's why.

Vista's going to blow... a lot. i'm hoping that in their rush to get it up to speed, they delay the whole Trusted Computing thing a bit longer. a shitty OS can always be worked around, but DRM built right into my hardware would suck a whole lot extra - mainly because i can't solder worth a damn.

Keith

Oklahoma City, OK

August 2002

AUG 30, 2005 10:18 AM

Alright, so how do I learn to use Linux again?

aegies

Oakland, CA

June 2004

AUG 30, 2005 10:20 AM

This isn't exclusive to microsoft; apple is investigating HDCP (high definition content protection) as well. Go figure, considering that Mr. Jobs runs Pixar, one of the most profitable content production entities in Hollywood (and source of some of the most pirated content on the internet). I definitely think this is a bad idea, but one company has already released a tool to break it, and I'm sure others will follow suit. This could also be a lot of worry over nothing, as the PR this is generating has been nothing but negative, and people really, really don't want to have to buy brand new monitors for a new operating system.

editted to add: this story was covered on the news wire more than a month ago.

[Edited on Aug 30, 2005 by aegies]

FreakPirate

Canada

November 2002

AUG 30, 2005 10:22 AM

So... should I actually consider learning to use a Mac now?

llouys

Brazil

August 2003

AUG 30, 2005 10:23 AM

Keith said:
Alright, so how do I learn to use Linux again?

Like this. They'll even mail you a cd, for free.

llouys

Brazil

August 2003

AUG 30, 2005 10:24 AM

FreakPirate said:
So... should I actually consider learning to use a Mac now?

Boing Boing: Apple to add Trusted Computing to the new kernel?