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Posted by Steven Bink February 27, 2007 1:43 PM with 12 comment(s)
Filed under:
Robert McLaw:

Of all the FUD that's out there about Vista, the false information about Vista's DRM is the FUD that frustrates me the most. I read this article from Peter Gutmann, and was infuriated. I wanted to write a point-by-point rebuttal, but was overwhelmed with the sheer number of glaring inaccuracies, as well as the overwhelming feeling that I was in danger of being hit in the head by a piece of falling sky. It wasn't so much of a research paper as it was a ridiculous story full of melodramatic hyperbole.

Well, I'm glad someone finally called it out for what it was. George Ou, an IT blogger on ZDNet, blasts security guru Bruce Schneier for quoting Peter Gutmann in his anti-Vista tirade. He even sheds new light on Mr. Gutmann:

[Update 4:25 PM - The researcher who Bruce Schneier cites who in turn is widely cited in the media as an expert on why Vista DRM is so evil actually admits to never actually even touching Windows Vista.  That's the level of "research" he did.]

I guess that's how research is done at the University of Auckland.

Full Story At Source
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Comments

 

dmbrubac said:

It's Bruce, not George Schneier. Odd though, Bruce is usually quite thorough...
February 27, 2007 3:08 PM
 

Steven Bink said:

thanks
February 27, 2007 3:13 PM
 

GP007 said:

This things being beaten to death already,  if you have HD-DVD/BluRay or other DRM content, and that contents policy needs specific drm features, then they are used, but it doesn't effect other things that don't have DRM and don't request/need it.

But, stepping back for a bit, say MS didn't add the DRM into Vista themselfs,  that leaves it up to the individual hardware makers and software makers to add it.

So you buy a new hd-dvd/bluray drive, you get 2 CDs or 1 DVD with it, an install disc.  Now because the drive has to fallow the rules set by the AACS spec, when you install the drive, you get a nice DRM packed driver for your new drive, that hacks into the kernel and does who knows what to your systems stability/performence.

After that you install a DRM packed player, which limits playback and also hooks into the kernel to make sure the DRM isn't bypassed.  Yet another piece of 3rd party software that could wreck your Windows install, not only forcing you to re-install later, but maybe even trashing your install to the point that you lose your data.

The last thing I want are third party venders messing around at the kernel level with my installed OS so they can fallow the AACS spec. 

So yeah, MS could've decided not to add it, but it would've been installed by you later on once you got that flashy new hd-dvd/bluray drive or signed up to some online download service and installed their specific program.

February 27, 2007 5:09 PM
 

vvume said:

I think the biggest problem with Vista's DRM is that you will never be able to install any unsigned drivers. The presence of any unsigned drivers will prevent the DRM content from running (at least properly) under vista. E.g. of such drivers would be daemon tools, etc. and tons of old drivers written for XP and never likely to be re-written/HQL'd for vista. Install them and you can kiss goodbye to DRM content (which will probably be the case even if M$ didn't implement DRM in Vista). I hope I am mistaken.
February 27, 2007 9:04 PM
 

Chinpokomon said:

Only true for 64bit I believe.  I've installed unsigned 32 bit drivers.

February 27, 2007 11:22 PM
 

GP007 said:

I read that you can install unsigned drivers in 64bit also, but you still get a warning message when you do?

Maybe this is only for user mode drivers and not kernel mode?  Someone should try this out.

February 28, 2007 1:16 AM
 

vvume said:

Read my comment carefully. You can install unsigned drivers, but if you do it Vista will warn any application that makes a request that there is an untrusted component in the system. Your drm application (say HD-DVD or Blu-Ray software player) can then decide to fudge the output or stop playing all together unless the system is 100% DRM secure. This reporting feature is only in Vista, not in XP.
February 28, 2007 4:20 AM
 

Andrewft65 said:

Anything that could possibly encourage the uptake of alternative O/Ss' is good for me! When Microsoft has real competition, we will see a new, better Microsoft emerge. They will start listening to their customers, rather than dictating to them.

Long live Microsoft's FUD !

February 28, 2007 9:28 AM
 

GP007 said:

Give it a rest already, FUD this FUD that, you sound like a *nix fanboy everytime. 

Things are simple, end users want features like HD-DVD and Bluray playback on their PCs, so MS adds the support, in doing so they have to fully support all the DRM the AACS spec dictates.   This same DRM is in every stand along player being sold right now, and all of them, the ones I've seen at least, run on the oh so great and "open" linux kernel, but they're still packed with all the same DRM as Vista.

Do the majority of users care about the DRM being in there?  No they don't, if they can do what they want with the PC like they have been then it doesn't change anything.   And this is the case still.   DRM isn't added to anything that doesn't already have it from the start, that's like saying all the MP3s you put on an iPod get Apples AAC DRM on them,  that's just overblowing it.

In many cases they're the same thing, a platform for playing back media content, and they both have DRM options that can be used by the content providers who want to (them being Vista and the iPod).

 

February 28, 2007 12:34 PM
 

Angela said:

It's about how Windows Vista uses digital rights management. Both the Motion Picture Association of America and the Recording Industry Association of America, on purpose have held back innovation, be adapting and lobbying for the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998. The DMCA has been a disaster for innovation, free speech, fair use, and competition.

Fair use is a copyright principle based on the belief that the public is entitled to freely use portions of copyrighted materials for purposes of commentary and criticism. For example, if you wish to criticize a novelist, you should have the freedom to quote a portionof the novelist's work without asking permission which DRM doesn't provide and allow.

For your information, Windows Vista is establishing the use of High-Definition Multimedia Interface to replace composite video protocols by insuring the use of High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection for enforcing digital rights management. Does anyone here understand the way in which Vista DRM determines what is and isn't protected content? Think about it, because everything ahead is being worked out to deny and limit your access to digital content.

In addition, Intel's Unified Display Interface is doing the same thing but refusing to adapt HDCP for it's own copyright protection system, which will only add to the complexities for the consumer ahead with further additional hardware requirements and cost!

Source: http://www.digital-cp.com/home and http://www.udiwg.org/home

Ps. Bink doesn't allow even the creator to edit their own comments! Bink.drm?

 

February 28, 2007 10:50 PM
 

GP007 said:

What's with the triple post?  You need to calm down and thing a bit,  Vista isn't the only thing that offers/uses DRM,  every stand alone player has the same features,  all iPods have it to lock iTunes AAC files.  XP has all the protection that DVDs require for playback, from region locks to macrovision (or is it microvision?). 

HD-DVD's and Bluray playback requires that these drm options be in place, or you get no license from the DVD body, or whoever is in charge and actually controlls and sets AACS, which is not the MPAA btw, though it probably does have direct ties to them.

And since we're on the topic DO YOU know how Vista handles DRM content?  MS has open whitepapers up on their website for anyone to read, so go for it.   But it's clear that copy protection systems aren't turned on unless they're requested by the content being played.  So, to make it simple for you, the hddvd/bluray video you pop in or the HD video you downloaded from some pay service which has drm set on them determin which of the features are started and used.   Vista doesn't pick what is used, it only offers the options which are then picked by the different content providers. 

As fas as HDCP goes, that's just another option that is there for content providers to use IF THEY WANT TO.  A few people who have vista installed can tell you that their files play just like XP, even without a HDCP compatible monitor,  the DRM option, or token as they call it, isn't being used by content providers at this point.   The fact is the majority of TVs and monitors don't support HDCP so turning that token on would kill playback for millions, and that's just stupid business moves that don't happen.

 

March 1, 2007 12:19 AM
 

Andrewft65 said:

Give it time! ... People will learn! (seeing it already!)

Fortunately there are "hackers" out there, who will find ways to distroy "evil" DRM sadly the same for reasonable copyright protection.

The genie is out of the bottle, unfortunately for those that own intelectual property, (who have made fortunes from "the masses") have yet to come to terms with this yet!

If Microsoft choose to lock people into Microsoft's way of doing things, people have a choice. Linux, OSX, or stick with XP better still Windows 2000! Folks, vote with your pocket book and your feet.

For those happily extolling the virtues of Vista Beta and RC on their machines, start saving for when it "time bombs" (unless you can find a way of ripping it off) ;-)

Microsoft manopoly hold on the computer O/S is the thing people should be concerned about!

 
March 1, 2007 11:52 AM

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