Apple HD downloads get DPCP: Again, innocent users suffer DRM
Apple, presumably trying to appease the Hollywood studios for which it sells "high definition" movies on iTunes, has introduced a new form of copy protection on downloads purchased from the store which renders them unplayable on a number of displays.
DPCP (or DisplayPort Copy Protection) is a stronger form of HDCP (High Definition Copy Protection) which prevents content being played on analogue equipment or on digital equipment which isn't compliant.
The change appears to have happened near-silently, causing some users to receive error messages when they try to play content on some displays.
It seems to be affecting users of the newer MacBook and MacBook Pro machines which employ the Philips-developed protection system.
While Apple may feel under pressure to adopt new standards, it does seem unfair that it's pushed beyond HDCP (which is, after all, what Blu-ray uses), particularly as its high definition downloads aren't even of the same quality level as Blu-ray.
I'd feel less sorry for the consumers if they were trying to use really outdated equipment to watch content, but here we're talking about recently purchased (expensive) Apple Cinema Displays.
Once again, legitimate users are being punished because media companies are so scared about their content being ripped off. The fact is, the real pirates will continue to find ways of circumventing copy protection, while everyday users who just want to buy content and watch it where it's most convenient suffer.
It's counterproductive -- I wouldn't be surprised if more consumers simply stop buying restrictive content and stick to more established systems such as DVD, or even look into ways of getting knockoff content that can be played on any device.
Though Blu-ray and digital downloads are becoming a little more popular, neither is mainstream yet, and companies need to be encouraging consumers to buy into these formats, not deter them. Apple does a good job of engaging with consumers -- it's why the iPod is so popular -- but it has to be careful not to alienate mainstream users.
(Via CNet)
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