Microsoft Answers Vista DRM Critics' Claims

skepsis writes "Recently there have been some stories on Slashdot claiming that Vista would downgrade the quality of audio and video for every application in a machine where protected content was running. One of the stories painted a scary scenario where a 'medical IT worker who's using a medical imaging PC while listening to audio/video played back by the computer' would have his medical images 'deliberately degraded.' A post has been put up on the Vista team blog explaining exactly how the content protection works, and it turns out the medical IT staff and audio pros can relax. From the post: 'It's important to emphasize that while Windows Vista has the necessary infrastructure to support commercial content scenarios, this infrastructure is designed to minimize impact on other types of content and other activities on the same PC. For example, if a user were viewing medical imagery concurrently with playback of video which required image constraint, only the commercial video would be constrained -- not the medical image or other things on the user's desktop.'"

No way!

[EvanED]

Recently have been some recent stories on Slashdot claiming that Vista would downgrade the quality of audio and video for every application in a machine where protected content was running. One of the stories painted a scary scenario where a 'medical IT worker who's using a medical imaging PC while listening to audio/video played back by the computer' would have his medical images 'deliberately degraded'.

Slashdot posting anti-MS stories with only speculation to their correctness? Say it isn't so!

Attention THX

[Anonymous Coward]

We are Microsoft.
We are your friends.
We only want to help you.

Marketdroid speak

[Le Marteau]

such as newly released HD-DVD or Blu-Ray discs, can be enjoyed on Windows Vista PCs.

Arrrr. I despise the use of 'enjoy' in that way. When you see the word used that way, you know the writer is selling something.

Re:Marketdroid speak

[Bill, Shooter of Bul]

damn right! I never have and never will "Enjoy" Coke, Diet Coke,or Sprite!

Re:Knaves and Crackers

[Whiney Mac Fanboy]

t means they've abandoned elegance for ad hoc-ery; transparence for evasion; and trust for tyranny.

In order to abandon something, you have to have it in the first place. I can't recall MS ever being in possession of elegance, transparancy and particularly trust.

Re:Marketdroid speak

[Anonymous Coward]

bahhh you nerds will knit pick at anything, bunch of nervous recks you all are sometimes.

Re:Marketdroid speak

[Le Marteau]

bahhh you nerds will knit pick at anything, bunch of nervous recks you all are sometimes.

1) 'bahhh' needs to be capitalized.
2) s/knit/nit/
3) s/recks/wrecks/
4) s/sometimes//

Re:Marketdroid speak

[Scarletdown]

And don't forget that Bahhh is an interjection. It sets itself apart from a sentence by an exclamation point, or a comma when the feeling's not as strong.

Well, I know now what song is going to be stuck in my head for the next few hours...

Re:Marketdroid speak

[Le Marteau]

Arrrr matey, Arrrr

Comes from my readin' of Moby Dick [librivox.org], it do. The sea is in my blood these days, so it is, so it is. But ye got to give it to me, at least I said 'arrr' and not 'aaargh'. The mark of a true seaman, and not a landlubber, that is. Arrr.

Re:Translation needed

[sentientbeing]

It means it proactively leverages the synergies of blue sky entertainment by thinking outside the box and innovating front-end methodologies for consumer satisfaction. It also empowers cross-platform deliverables by maximizing mission critical schemas.

and plays teh new moviez!

Re:Should we trust the medical system vendors?

[KewlPC]

I think a more accurate question would be: Why would someone doing medical imaging play music/videos on the same computer? Let alone at the same time?

"Hey guys, I know this computer is only supposed to be used to control the MRI machine, but let's throw our MP3 collections on it! ROCK OUT WITH YOUR COCK OUT!"

Re:So we should trust Microsoft?

[ehrichweiss]

AMEN to that!! They could watch porn for all I care so long as I wake up(or whatever).

Re:Should we trust the medical system vendors?

[ZERO1ZERO]

"Why would someone doing medical imaging play music/videos on the same computer? Let alone at the same time?"

Well I guess they gotta use Dual Core for something..

Re:Should we trust the medical system vendors?

[EnsilZah]

How else are they going to listen to 'Monty Python - Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.mp3' while waiting for the results?

Mmmmmh! MRI-Porn!

[atrocious cowpat]

Mmmmmh! MRI-Porn! [bmj.com]

(Probably NSFW unless you're an MD... or maybe NSFW only if you're an MD)

Re:Which required constraint

[Lord Apathy]

Fuck'em..

Re:Should we trust the medical system vendors?

[wordsnyc]

A couple of months ago I had occasion to study an MRI of my brain over my neurologist's shoulder as he pointed to various spots and explained their significance. This was on a networked desktop pc running XP at a major university medical center. I asked about one particularly alarming bright spot and he assured me that it was "just an artifact." I guess I should count myself lucky that it wasn't a dancing paper clip.

"It looks like you're trying to do a brain scan."

[Eternal Vigilance]

"Do you want some help?"

Though, come to think of it, this does explain why the Zune turned out the way it did.

News Flash!!!

[tooyoung]

Recently have been some recent stories on Slashdot claiming that Vista would downgrade the quality of audio and video for every application in a machine where protected content was running. One of the stories painted a scary scenario where a 'medical IT worker who's using a medical imaging PC while listening to audio/video played back by the computer' would have his medical images 'deliberately degraded'.

"Completely ridiculous rumor debunked, proves DRM is benevolent," states person unfamiliar with logic.

Re:As a consumer, what's in it for me?

[iminplaya]

what does Vista give me and my users, that should make me cut a check?

It looks more like OS X?

Re:No way!

[cheater512]

Actually a black screen DOES make the MPAA money. Users only see the black screen AFTER they have paid.

Re:Knaves and Crackers

[ClosedSource]

"And for those who constantly ask for proof of something instead of looking for themselves, well you need to get an education. People can't afford to take the time to constantly educate you. Rather you should be providing evidence contrary to the supposition rather than demanding someone prove to you. This isn't a court of law. If you don't believe them and you won't take the time to research their points and dispel them posting your comments is pointless. It's like claiming the world is round and you asking them to prove it every time because you don't agree. Just like that is common knowledge and the fact that this site tends to focus on technology it isn't our fault you aren't educated sufficiently enough to know the details or research them yourselves."

Congratulations. That's the longest excuse I've every read for not being able to backup a claim with facts. Perhaps you should join MS's FUD department, you have a gift.

Don't Panic!

[StikyPad]

Drivers, DON'T WORRY! If an unauthorized steering wheel is detected, ONLY THE STEERING will be affected, and ONLY FOR THE ROAD YOU ARE ON. The brakes, accelerator, and "oh shit" handles will still function 100%.