Broadcast Flag Follow-up

Microsoft Patches “Broadcast Flag”/CGMS-A Issues

Bink.nu — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:51:14 GMT

Today Microsoft is will a patch to correct the issues seen in last month’s reported “ Broadcast Flag

re: Broadcast Flag Follow-up

Darryl — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:39:01 GMT

“Please note that Windows Media Center does not support Broadcast Flag.”

It's worth pointing out that this statement is not synonymous with "Windows Media Center ignores the Broadcast Flag." In fact I think that's part of Chris's point. An unsupported feature is simply a behavior that is undefined and/or untested. If a feature is truly unsupported you can't guarantee what will happen when you attempt to use it.

Regardless of what Microsoft actually meant by this statement, MCE includes code intended to deal with copy restrictions and other types of rights management. If you look at all the permutations of flags, streams, and whatever else goes into recordings, you're bound to hit some scenarios that aren't supported and may inadvertantly execute that copy protection code.

re: Broadcast Flag Follow-up

chrisl — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 07:28:15 GMT

From the article above...."It is no secret, Microsoft supported CGMS-A in Windows Media Center way back in 2002 and now they are the only PC-based platform with CableCARD and pending DIRECTV support."

The reason they have supported CGMS-A is because they knew it would be a gateway for official support of various other TV signals, all of which are protected using non-Microsoft technologies.

re: Broadcast Flag Follow-up

Alex — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:16:07 GMT

Chris,

Can you find out the answer to why Microsoft voluntarily supports the CGMS-A copy prevention method in Windows Media Center?

Microsoft und das KopierschutzFlag

Deutschsprachiger Microsoft Media Center BLOG — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:11:28 GMT

Der bekannte Blogger Chris Lanier veröffentlichte jetzt seine Vermutungen zum Thema "BroadcastFlag" bzw. das in Deutschland ja als Kopierschutzflag bekannte Problem. In Deutschland waren ja an zwei Wochenenden Sendungen von ProSieben plötzlich mit einem

re: Broadcast Flag Follow-up

Wayne — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 03:05:11 GMT

I still say the most interesting thing about this is that Canadians get screwed by CGMS-A every day on dozens of shows and no on e gives a ***. It happens once in the US and it is front page news!

re: Broadcast Flag Follow-up

Paul Ellis — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:25:09 GMT

Thanks for really delving into this Chris. It is unique insights like these that I don't find elsewhere that bring me to your blog everyday.