'Broadcast Flag' coming to the Beeb.

[chuckskull]

DRM watchers are sounding the alarm about a proposal to bring what they fear amounts to a "broadcast flag" to the UK's over-the-air digital Freeview television service. "In an attempt to satisfy the fears of powerful rightsholders, the BBC will prohibit millions of people from programming their existing set top boxes," warned British MP Tom Watson in a recent post. "If implemented, this will make it difficult to view or record HDTV broadcasts with free software. Where's the consumer interest in that settlement?"

DRM's tentacles snare British HDTV

Yay more DRM, just what we all wanted and it probably means I have to shell out more money for a new set top box. Seeing as I already have to pay them extortionate amount every year, be nice if they didn't just bend over for rightholders.

[KBeee]

You'll have to shell out for a new set top box anyway. Your existing one won't work with Freeview HD.

[Agent]

I recently got hit by the current DRM in Windows Media Centre and TV recordings. Some have this flag set already, which MCE obeys.

Trying to play the video on a differnt machine in the house gave a response along the lines of "YOU'RE A DIRTY PIRATE" and I had to watch it on the machine it was recorded on. No amount of messing about with licences would allow it to play.

Very annoyed by it. How long until recordings expire? "Sorry, but this content was recorded 8 days ago. The current licence only allows viewing of up to 7 days after broadcast".....only a matter of time.