This behavior, if repeatable, is quite possibly subject to antitrust actions against MS... "You can play videos from people we've made arrangements with, but our competitors we're deleting"
Lachlan Hunt
· 1 year ago
In future, I strongly recommend you boycott any download services like Amazon Unbox and Netflix that are crippled with DRM. Personally, I have never, and will never buy any digital content that is crippled with DRM (DVD's inneffective DRM doesn't count).
I'm going to stick with BitTorrent, buying DVDs and buying from DRM-free sites (e.g. sanctuaryforall.com) until the MPAA wakes up and stops punishing thier customers.
Adam Fields
· 1 year ago
This is also the problem with having one centralized license that controls everything on your computer. The Netflix licenses should be totally independent from your Amazon licenses.
This what us free software advocate have been warning you of for 10 years, if not more. That's "free" as in "freedom", not "free beer." Freedom to watch what you've bought on your new screen. Yeah, I know, I'm such a dreamer.
Christopher Palmer
· 1 year ago
I have a standard monitor (a 19" CRT) hooked up to my new Vista computer. Over the holidays, I bought a 32" LCD TV to hang in the study/computer room as an HDTV/Wii display/DVD display/PS2 display. Since I'd hooked everything else up to it, I also ran an HDMI cable from the second port of the Radeon card to use it as a second monitor. I set it up properly - 720P resolution with digital signal - as a shared desktop (different resolutions of course) and I was able to run Media Center on it to watch DVDs, local video content, and analog resolution video from my older tuner card in the PC.
The only tricky thing I had to do was switch my primary monitor to the LCD TV in order to play most games on the TV, like Half-Life 2.
I was just spelling all of this out because it may be just that I was using it as a dual monitor, but it didn't affect my Netflix streaming at all. I could just drag my IE window to the LCD display, maximize it, start my streaming movie, and then click fullscreen and I got great picture quality and no DRM warnings. I don't have any Amazon Unbox content (or any other MS DRM content that I know of), so that may have something to do with it as well.
As a general rule, I hate DRM and will go out of my way to only purchase content that is DRM free. I have no qualms whatsoever about ripping my purchased DVDs to iPod video format instead of buying them again on iTunes and I wouldn't purchased downloadable content from Amazon that is going to be tied to DRM licenses on my computer. I do, however, kinda like Netflix's Watch it Now feature. Since it is streamed, I don't have to worry about being able to watch it next week, or after a system upgrade, or after the service goes away (like Wal-Mart's service that just went belly-up). I would be upset, as you were, if the ability to watch a streamed movie meant I could no longer watch stuff that I had legitimately purchased.
Brent
· 1 year ago
It's ridiculous for consumers to have to deal with this type of DRM nonsense. The providers such as Amazon and Netflix see this as a necessary evil.
Hope you get it worked out - be sure and mention this to mike at HackingNetflix as the Netflix folks watch Mikes blog pretty closely. Maybe you can get some help out of Netflix after all.
Brent
Neal
· 1 year ago
Although I don't think you specified one way or the another, can I assume you are running Vista? The article you linked to about your monitor being the source of the problem was Vista specific, and it also mentioned the staying with XP would be preferable. For context, I have a Samsung 50" 720p DLP with a direct PC input, and am running a PC connected to it specifically dedicated to feeding audio/video using iTunes, Miro and Netflix Instant Viewing. I've had zero trouble such as you describe, but then, the PC is running XP, NOT Vista.
Sounds like one more vote (as if it were still necessary!) for avoiding Vista.
Dave Zatz
· 1 year ago
Brent, Both Netflix and Amazon use Microsoft DRM and licensing terms of the studios. While this is a DRM issues, it's more about crappy implementation. You ever hear of an iTunes movie or song failing to play? I believe Hacking Netflix Mike had a similar issue when playing a *regular* DVD the other day. Sounds like a video card driver update might help.
As an aside, Amazon Unbox is great in that you can download the content/licenses as many times as you want. Amazon stores a locker of your purchases. So it may be worth running the reset utility and see what happens.
Davis
· 1 year ago
@Anon - Something does feel very anti-trust about this. I'm not allowed to use the service until I disable competitors files? Something seems fundamentally wrong about this type of arrangement.
@Lachlan - I hear you on boycotting the DRM and in all fairness, I knew that there would be DRM problems when I did buy my Amazon movies, but I also like to support innovation and being able to download a film off the net is a pretty cool feature. I could just keep my internet video consumption underground, but ideally I'd like to live in a world where I can buy a movie anytime I want straight off the net. While boycotting the DRM is a fair way to deal with this type of DRM, it doesn't do a lot to encourage the studios to open up their business model and provide content that I don't mind paying for.
@Adam - I completely agree, there is no reason why my Netflix files should have to talk with my Amazon files. If the studios want to be protected from hacking, then they should at least be required to allow their multiple forms of DRM to work together.
@Brent - Good idea about Hacking Netflix, I'll shoot Mike an email if he doesn't end up seeing it. I know that he hates DRM as much as I do.
As far as Netflix getting involved though, I doubt that there is really a lot that they can do. The tech guy on the phone was very good at being sympathizing with me over the problem. I think that if it was up to them, they would be more than happy to do without the layer of DRM. Eventually, Netflix was able to help me better understand the issues, but I'm not very optimistic that Netflix can help me when its really the studios telling them to disable high def computers.
Hi Neal - Unfortunately I am using Vista. When I first started shopping around for a computer, it was the only program that was available at the retail level. After having success with Vista on a new laptop, I didn't expect to have any problems when I upgraded my desktop. Unfortunately, I was wrong and wasn't aware of this HD issue. Since I'm not going be getting rid of my computer, I now have the choice of living without Netflix or trying to take back my monitor and exchange it for an inferior product.
Scott
· 1 year ago
I'm trying to be more constructive than just "DUH!". You have to understand that it is people like you who put money into these horrible schemes that perpetuate them!
Just stop. Use Bittorrent. Don't feel bad about it. It's your civic duty. Educating CEOs is a time consuming and expensive process. It's taken ten years on the music side, probably it will take another 5 years on the movie side before they wise up and just start providing unencumbered files to paying customers.
As for your library -- your only chance is to get those files free and clear of DRM via FairUse4WM. Which will probably be a huge pain involving a lost weekend and reading hundreds of forum posts. And in the future, don't spend money on DRM!!!!
Coutch
· 1 year ago
Hey Davis,
Just stop using Netfix..
/ Duh! // Duh Again!!
GuyMac
· 1 year ago
Actually, sounds like a great reason to not use a Microsoft Operating System at all.
John
· 1 year ago
Don't buy products from people who consider you a thief for doing so - if they trust you so little they think they need to add DRM, you have no reason at all to trust them either.
Dave Zatz
· 1 year ago
Scott, quite a few folks using BitTorrent -as you suggest- ended up paying the music industry ~$3k. Will you bankroll Davis' legal fund? ;)
Alex
· 1 year ago
I had a similar problem recently where I could not for the life of me get software that I had purchased to work, and the fastest/easiest "fix" ended up being to literally download pirated versions. It's just amazing to me that purchasing products for consumers has slowly become more problematic than stealing! It's just insane to punish consumers like this and I simply don't understand the logic behind it.
Davis
· 1 year ago
@Coutch - If I stopped using Netflix, it certainly would solve my problem, but I LOVE Netflix and shouldn't have to give up features, just because I want a monitor capable of displaying high def.
@GuyMac - If I was using a Mac instead of my Windows Vista PC, I still wouldn't be able to stream Netflix movies. Because Mr. Jobs refuses to license his DRM to Netflix, Apple has created an even more closed system than my Microsoft/HD related setup.
@Scott - Even beyond the legal liability of using pirated movies, the bit torrent experience still leaves quite a bit to be desired. If I use Netflix, I'll always (unless I upgrade my HD monitor apparently) be able to see the movies that I want at a reasonable resolution with minimal waiting. When it comes to pirated files, I may end up having to wait three days for something to download, only to find out that it's a Ron Paul campaign video or some kind of internet virus. While I do like the competitive pressure that bit torrent places on the movie studios, I would still rather pay for content and know that I'm going to get what I asked for without exposing myself to copyright lawsuits or internet STDs.
Scott
· 1 year ago
@Dave - I think your statement is not correct. The closest to a lawsuit against BitTorrent users was last year when HBO sent letters to people seeding Rome, Sopranos, etc. You're thinking of KaZaA w/ music, whereas we're talking about BitTorrent and tv/movies.
I wouldn't worry about it. The studios aren't suing BitTorrent users and if they do start, we'll all hear about it. For now they seem content to go after thepiratebay.org and leave the users alone.
John
· 1 year ago
Your issue is Vista. The simple answer is to switch back to Windows XP and you won't have the issue with the whole video downgrading thing. Vista is *LOADED* with DRM that gets in your way if you purchase or watch any HD video content. (Note that, ironically, if you download the HD content from file sharing sites, you won't have any of these problems.)
Joel
· 1 year ago
Aye, this sounds precisely like the warnings I was hearing about Vista before it launched. If there's an unregistered, unchipped, or unstable component anywhere in your machine that doesn't play perfect with DRM, your machine will stop playing movies. Or possibly media of any kind. Prior to Vista, machines were designed to handle almost anything they could, up to and including very brief power outages. Now? The slightest fluctuation causes the OS (Vista) to have a hissy fit, despite the machine being fine.
Upgrade to XP to solve your problem.
snarkolepsy
· 1 year ago
We wound up downgrading out of vista. For the tune of around 200 bucks. (if I recall correctly) We had to buy the XP disk, and then pay for the Vista disk. In the rare event MS actually fixed the OS to be workable. Even though the machine was shipped with Vista. It drove me nuts there was no option to buy a machine with XP at the time.
I'm not sure if that will solve your problem - or just hurt your wallet since we just use unbox. Just an FYI.
Fred von Lohmann
· 1 year ago
I'm afraid "Scott", above, is misinformed. Since 2004, the MPAA companies have filed thousands of lawsuits against Bit Torrent users who have allegedly used the protocol to infringe copyright (remember, most Bit Torrent applications simultaneously upload as they download, which is how they catch you). The MPAA has also been seizing user records from Bit Torrent indexing sites that it has sued.
For some early coverage of the MPAA lawsuits, see EFF's page:
dantheserene
· 1 year ago
" my real problems were actually tied to the shiny new monitor that I’ve already grown fond of"
No, it isn't. Your problems are the crappy (is there any other kind?) DRM being inflicted on you, and using Vista.
jeanbgrenouille
· 1 year ago
I have XP service pack 2 running through my 62" DLP and have not been able to play watch it now movies for quite a while. I have have never run vista and have no other DRM as I hate the stuff. So, its not just a problem with Vista.
Lexington
· 1 year ago
When you buy content from the entertainment establishment, part of your money goes to the RIAA and the MPAA. Here's what you get in return:
1. Laws that extend copyright beyond all reasonable bounds (originally 14 years, now life of the creator 70 years) These are not required to promote creativity. They are here to protect Mickey Mouse, and the 'estates' of dead artists that continue to leach off the culture without providing anything in return.
2. Laws like the DMCA that allow publishers to subvert your fair use rights by slapping on a layer of flimsy DRM that can't be circumnavigated without breaking the law EVEN FOR USE THAT IS ALLOWED BY LAW.
3. Penal codes that allow a $250,000 fine for sharing a single .mp3. You can commit vehicular manslaughter and get away with a lower fine. (I promise you, it wasn't concerned citizens who insisted on that sort of draconian punishment.)
4. Trade agreements that require operators of CD plants in foreign nations to submit to government inspections (imagine that, after winning to Cold War, we're now insisting that the Russians start policing their own presses on our behalf.)
The list goes on. The fact is, when you buy entertainment at full retail, you support some very unsavory practices. This is not meant to justify piracy (a pure boycott would be the more ethical choice.) Rather, it should serve as a reminder that you simply cannot buy entertainment in a fashion that does not entail encroachments on your basic liberties and dignity. There's environmental fallout from every minute you consume (at full retail.)
The short story is that, in spite of the freedom granted by the first amendment, the entertainment companies are profoundly undemocratic in their regard for individual liberty. Their desire for control of the user experience is absolutely boundless, and they will sue the daylights out of anything that crosses their paths, even if its tangential to their business. Xerox got sued for creating the copy machine. Sony got sued for creating the Betamax. Napster got sued for popularizing P2P. ANYTHING that can be used to distribute culture in any form is instinctively regarded as a threat by the content industry, at least until it can be brought under control and turned into an exclusive revenue stream. And how for will they go to 'protect' these streams? Just ask the Girl Scouts, who got sues for failing to pay royalties on songs sung around the campfire.
Some people call this evil. A better description is primitive. Understanding how to operate in a free culture is as challenging as learning how to govern with the consent of the governed. This is not, traditionally, something that Kings were good at. Only when threatened by bloody revolution do they back off and concede ground. And, revolution by revolution, tyranny is slowly replaced by democracy. Well, currently content is King. And like most Kings, it has been abusing its position terribly.
Now, it is fighting to maintain its dominance, but the people aren't backing down. And nor should they. Not until the King has renounced some of his more despotic practices, and has decided to serve the needs of free culture instead of invading every corner it can find and gouging people for admission at every turn.
Hal
· 1 year ago
As long as you're using DRM crippled content, you are encouraging companies to keep doing this. By buying movies that give you less instead of more and that can be controlled by the company issuing them, you are saying it's okay to let them control what you watch and don't watch.
For example, look what Major League Baseball did:
Customers who had spent a lot of money were suddenly no longer able to play their videos of baseball games. Whenever you are buying a DRM controlled file, you are buying something that could be rendered useless if the seller goes out of business or, as in the case with Wal Mart (recently), decides to no longer be in that line of business.
I'm sorry for your problem, but you walked right into this trap by letting someone else, anyone else, but especially a company with a record like Microsoft, decide what you own and don't own and what files on your computer they control.
Kees
· 1 year ago
DRM is not only on Vista. It is on XP too. It's bound to the Windows Media player.
DRMJustSayNo
· 1 year ago
Just say no to puchasing any content with DRM. You will always be punished. Like you I tried to do the right thing and purchase my content, only to suffer lost content and technical problems as a result. Never again.
Stefan Holmes
· 1 year ago
This story surprised the hell out of me! I assumed that the talk about DRM being grossly limiting was all FUD. I can't believe a company such as Netflix has been so short-sighted as to restrict their movies in this way (there are various ways they can alternately restrict them, such as not allowing copying or transfer of the files themselves).
I will never bump into any such problems because all the HD and most of the SD content I watch (at full HD on my non-HDCP monitor) is illegally obtained. It's long been a joke in the PC gaming community that pirate games are more easily accessible (and have better functionality, in many cases) than shop-bought originals. The only exceptions to this are internet multilpayer games, which generally will not work without a valid license.
I don't condone piracy in all forms, but if I want to watch a film in HD I can only download it. My monitor, not supporting HDCP, will cause DRM issues if I try to go legitimate and purchase either a BluRay or HDDVD drive. The problem worsens for my Xbox. If I buy the HDDVD add-on, my movies will probably get downgraded because my Xbox hooks up to my monitor via component.
When DRM goes completely away, studios are going to get a shock because people like me (and there must be more than a few!) are actually going to start buying their films.
Jonathan
· 1 year ago
Before deciding who the bad guys are, and who to point the finger at in this case, would perhaps be helpful to understand how DRM is actually implemented.
DRM has two components. The first is a policy or rules framework which enables rights owners to define how content can be used, moved, copied, viewed, at what resolution etc. The second component is a software layer which then implements those rules and ensures the rules are enforced all the way through the content delivery pipe.
With the above in mind then the situation faced by Davis is almost certainly related to how Netflix have chosen to implement their DRM polices (Or are being forced to by the original rights owners.) The test for this is simple. Both Netflix and Amazon use the Microsoft DRM framework. If Davis' Unbox videos still play on his new HD enabled system then clearly Amazon have chose to implement a more liberal set of DRM policies. If the Amazon Unbox media still play then the culprit is Netflix (Or the rights owners.), no one else.
Microsoft does not decide what you own and what you can do with right protected media. The rights owners do. It is the rights owners who set the specifications for DRM software as it is implemented on any system, be it an operating system like XP or Vista or a disc format like BlueRay or HD DVD. When Microsoft was developing Vista the media companies set the requirements for how premium (HD) content needed to be protected. The choice was a simple one: either implement those requirements or produce an operating system which is unable to serve premium content to your customers. If you want to see just who is in control go look at debacle over connecting media pcs to HD digital cable or satellite feeds.
Finally, one of the major reasons why Apple choose not to license their DRM has everything to do with the rules set by the rights holders. Right holders demand that any approved DRM system be able to revoke a users rights at any stage in the delivery pipe and that premium content is protected from leakage through unauthorized HD outputs. Apple have a closed hardware ecosystem; they control all the components in the media delivery pipe, hardware and software. With this closed approach they can more easily provide the rights holders with the guarantees they need. The software engineering required to meet rights holder's DRM requirements in an open ecosystem is several orders of magnitude harder than for a closed system. Of course the fact that iTunes is tied to iPod hardware sales is also another compelling reason ;-)
I hope this helps.
Andy D
· 1 year ago
BahamutZaero wrote :
Boycotting these products is not the answer. All that will do is get them to shut it down due to ‘lack of interest’.
I think you miss the point. That's what the pro-freedom contingency wants to see happen. I would like Digital Restrictions Management crippled services die and be replaced by services that let me see content -- at a price -- but on any computer or home cinema system.
mac
· 1 year ago
They've managed to use their terrible lawsuit strategy to scare me away from "illegal" downloads (except when I'm on wireless in another place, of course). But because the record companies and movie studios have absolutely no clue about how to do real business via the internet, I simply refuse to do business with them. Sure, I've got a gap of several years now between what I want and what I have but, after all, it's only entertainment and I have found that I actually can live without their products altogether.
Stuart
· 1 year ago
Whilst I feel sorry for the author, I am wondering why anyone would agree to purchase something if they knew beforehand that the vendor could turn it off at any time?
You wouldn't buy a car if the dealer kept a remote-controlled killswitch... so why do people do exactly that with DRM-protected movies or music?
Even if the music/movie industry had a track record of showing goodwill to their customers (I'll leave that question open... :) you still have to rely on fairly brittle technical arrangements to be able to watch/listen to music/movies that you have paid for.
Your statement about not being able to use Netflix due to Apple "refusing to share" their FairPlay DRM system with Netflix is slightly inaccurate. Netflix, like most of the DRM-wanting companies, decided to go with the Windows Media platform, which Microsoft hasn't made fully workable on the Mac.
WM was seen as "better" than FairPlay, mostly because the movie studios could then charge variable prices for content, *revoke customer access to purchased content based on their hardware choices* (exactly what Vista is doing to you now), etc.
Payam Minoofar
· 1 year ago
I agree with everyone who says that we ought to put our money where our mouths are. When Apple introduced the "plus" tracks with no DRM, I bought them. I operate a business, http://www.walki-talki.com that sells DRM free mp3 files. I use a Mac, of course, but Unix is the future. If people don't want to shell out money for Mac, they should consider some flavor of Unix. The open source community has put together some fabulous infrastructure for the distribution of music, Amarok, for example.
It is critical for the industry to understand that DRM is an economic loser. If it succeeds the consumer lose. This is an opportunity the consumer cannot let pass.
TerryC
· 1 year ago
"Since I’m not going be getting rid of my computer, I now have the choice of living without Netflix or trying to take back my monitor and exchange it for an inferior product."
There is another choice. I suspect that your computer & monitor would work just fine with Windows XP. XP is still readily available. Maybe be the time the next version of Windows comes out Hollywood will have realize their error, or be irrelevant.
WTL
· 1 year ago
Just out of curiosity, have you tried dropping your resolution down to say 1280x1024 (or something in that range)? Your monitor should scale it up to fill the screen, and *maybe* the DRM would let the movie play at a lower resolution.
I haven't tried this, but it might work.
Davis
· 1 year ago
-Thanks for catching my typo Michael, you are right it is buggy software.
-I just may end up making the upgrade to XP Terry. It's certainly looking like a more attractive option. My only reservation is that I really like Media Center Vista and Media Center on XP is not so hot. How evil is it that even though I'm not allowed to watch Netflix, I'm apparently still allowed to use Microsoft's own software? I can even record HDTV OTA streams and automatically strip out the commercials, but I can't use one of my favorite features about Netflix.
-Thanks for the suggestion WTL, but still no Netflix.
jonson roth
· 1 year ago
I know I sound like a dinosaur but it's for reasons like this that I prefer buying discs. It's easy, i can reuse the discs on a different computer and screen (or player), etc.
Davis
· 1 year ago
Not a dinosaur Jonson, it's just your preferred method of consumption. There are lots of advantages to DVD. You don't have to deal with stuff like this, you always own the movie (until it gets too scratched up anyway) and you can use it in a gazillion consumer devices. Even though I love internet video, I still look forward to my Netflix discs each weekend.
Theo
· 1 year ago
Hey Davis, try this! :)
Get another monitor and use it as the primary... then simply move the offended window to that HD monitor and continue playback.
I know you may still have problems but it is worth a try.
@Whomever - Netflix does NOT require Media Player 11 - I have 10 installed and it works beautifully :) *shrugs* Maybe it's just me!
Good luck Davis!
Hans
· 1 year ago
Do what I have done, dual boot your machine. I installed Vista and then created a partition for XP and installed it. Now I decide what OS to use depending on the known shortcomings. Google for Vista dualboot and you will find plenty of detailed guides how to install XP on a PC that shipped with vista or where vista was installed from disc. In other words you can keep your PC the way it is, just use the vista built in ability to shrink the primary partition and create a second partition for XP.
Davis
· 1 year ago
Hans thanks for the suggestion, I will look into this to see if this might be a solution. I don't mind doing some tech work if I could get Netflix back, but I don't like the idea of having to pay Microsoft more money just so their DRM will play nice.
oomu
· 1 year ago
I never buy drm-crap-video and contents.
I buy content, yeah. for example amazon's mp3, drm free music on itunes store or others sources
but NO DRM ! no , it's too much hassle, complications and even a Torrent software is easier to deal with !
DRM is an industrial cataclysm.
So, I'm waiting. I can wait a long time, me and my money. I will not die If I'm not watching the latest will smith's movie or whatever.
Lurky
· 1 year ago
Simply put, they are not punishing you, they are screwing you. They always have, and they always will try. Their dream is to get you to have to pay twice (or more) for the same product.
Screw them back, Harder.
IRL, it is called "shoot, shovel, and shut up."
Azzy
· 1 year ago
Well, my Linux (ubuntu) can do what your vista can. It also can do twice more and always will be a few steps ahead. And never close to DRM. Ah... Should I mention it is free? I have never ever considered to have vista on my pc. This is the direct effect of all Hollywood and MS games. Well even I am obliged to pay more for hardware because of the MS and all the DRM things (which makes drivers more expensive hence all the hardware). One thing I don't quite understand: why you people keep using this crap?
Anthony
· 1 year ago
You hit the nail on the head. Thanks for writing that.
snarkolpesy
· 1 year ago
"One thing I don’t quite understand: why you people keep using this crap?"
Because, occasionally we'd like to be able to use some Apps? When are those Linux guys going to get around to creating some Apps? I've been waiting for like 20 years.
Oh - wait. Its free? That explains it.
Never.
Azzy
· 1 year ago
Maybe you should make some research about linux apps analogs to the windows ones you use. I got to admit that yes, the Adobe products do not run most of the time under linux (with WINE). It really depends what you are using like software. One is sure: for the average PC user the Linux is enough and will never miss functionality. If you are not an average user (but, say, a designer or something... well, use a mac). There is actually a lot more software for linux than you think. And it is clearly more accessible.
pomaikai
· 1 year ago
More than likely someone will sue the movie industry because they bought a 1080p movie that wont play at 1080p because of there setup. If you buy a 1080p movie you should be able to watch it in its full resolution if your devices support that resolution. Same thing with DRM. Lets see them sell there DRM content with warnings that say "May not work and theres nothing you can do about it."
Tony Lauck
· 1 year ago
I have never purchased a DRM audio or video. I never intend to. I don't watch movies and I try to buy all my music from independent labels that do not belong to the RIAA.
Unfortunately, like all WXP and Vista customers, I am subject to DRM when it comes to my operating system. This became apparent a few months ago when I upgraded my XP system disk and was told that my computer required re-activation which could not be done automatically and would require a telephone call to Microsoft.
Fortunately (for them) after I verbally assured them that I was replacing a failing disk they gave me the necessary activation codes over the telephone and I could continue to use my computer. Had they denied or delayed me, there would have been one more Linux user and I would have been looking to join a class action lawsuit.
We have only ourselves to blame if we keep giving these companies our money.
Huh?
· 1 year ago
I have used a few DRM services.. all of them that I know of like iTunes.. keep a record of what you buy, which is more than block buster does if something gets damaged.
Confirm that if you reset the DRM you can then re-download the content and keep going.
Some one said hey itunes won't do this.. how many vendors does Apple license it DRM to? O ZERO.. as long as you only want to do business with Apple its a great system.
Edward Johnson
· 1 year ago
This is a HOLLYWOOD problem, not a Netflix problem. Netflix is being required to do this by movie companies. Hollywood is terrified that you will steal the high quality digital stream and duplicate perfect copies for the world to steal.
If you want to effect change, refuse to buy the products. Hollywood only responds to money. They would love to get rid of DVDs: creation, shipping and management of physical product cuts into their profits. Downloads cut cost to a minimum, keeping the profit high.
Josh Straub
· 1 year ago
"Anonymous" in the last message managed to notice "Jonathan"'s flawed argument (via fallacy of false dilemma: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_dilemma). That is, his bogus suggestion that Microsoft could either comply with Hollywood's draconian DRM powergrab, or simply not play "premium content" (another loaded industry term).
Instead, Microsoft could (and should) have been a good will ambassador for their hundreds of millions of Windows customers and rightly demanded that they retain control of what's absolutely THEIR property - THEIR computers. NOT for someone else to sieze control of and delete files from.
Tony Lauck, your Windows XP "Product Activation" (or Product Deactivation in your case) revealed the subtle control Microsoft has siezed on your computer. You were able to reach their call center and revive your dead property after Microsoft "permitted" you to do so. What happens when they decide to discontinue that call center?
I'm still running Windows 2000, the last great Windows OS not infected with the requirement to sacrifice ownership of your property.
CybrSage
· 1 year ago
Windows Media Center Edition 2005 requires WMP11 and COPP and DRM and all that bad stuff to play the Netflix downloads.
It then fails if you try to use analog for any viewing.
CybrSage
· 1 year ago
Josh,
Your argument would work if Microsoft was more powerful than the entertainment industry.
It is not. Sony, by itself, has 1.5 times the revenue of Microsoft. Sony is just one of many in the entertainment industry.
In comparison to the entertainment industry, Microsoft is a small fry.
Coyote
· 1 year ago
Davis,
Don't listen to the FUD. I find it ironic the same fools who complain the US government is trying to make everyone paranoid about terrorism put their tinfoil hats on and spout this crap the minute someone says "Vista" or "DRM".
The error you are getting is a software component failure and has nothing to do with your monitor not having HDCP or the like. COPP can downscale or prevent playback on non-compliant monitors, but only if it is enabled in the DRM restrictions, and so far no one is using it.
I have a Dell 2405FPW (24" Widescreen LCD) that is connected via DVI. It does not support HDCP and is not COPP compliant. Windows Vista Ultimate. Netflix Instant Viewer works fine for me.
You might need to reset your DRM, and you will have to reacquire your licenses, but your monitor and/or Vista's DRM model is not the problem.
Davis
· 1 year ago
Thanks for the sharing your tip Ray. I may end up trying that. I tried to hook up some old monitors to my system, but couldn't even get them to work. (these were really old monitors) Instead I've gone out and purchased a DVI converter that lets me connect a VGA cord to the back of my computer and then plug it into my new monitor. After running the Netflix DRM reset, it finally allowed me to use it again, but I don't like having to give up my HD quality, in order to get past the DRM. I may start looking around for a cheap monitor at a garage sale so I can use your trick. It's an awkward solution, but its the first one that lets me have my Netflix and HD at the same time.
Joe
· 1 year ago
I was recently bitten by the WMP11 requirement. It revoked Watch Instantly playback on a 7600GS's component dongle - Receiver - HD CRT display connection. I'm writing an e-mail to reed.hastings(at)netflix/dot/com for whatever good that'll do. It's a shame too, because Watch Instantly done well should make Netflix much more profitable.
Joe
· 1 year ago
I did get a call from Netflix after writing my e-mail. Matthew guided me through basically making a 15" VGA monitor I had sitting around the primary display when starting Watch Instantly. The solution works, but is kind of incompatible with anything requiring graphics acceleration (like my current BeyondTV setup). In any event, a VGA monitor running as a primary display bypasses the DRM restriction.
Tech support was really nice about it all but I suspect he's a cheezed about these restictions as anyone here.
Matt
· 1 year ago
Solved it! Go into Display Properties ->Settings->Advanced->Monitor->Properties Update the driver to "Plug and Play Monitor". I was previously using Philips LCDTV Driver
That's it.... took me 10 hours to figure that little gem out.
-Matt
Davis
· 1 year ago
@Matt - Thanks for the tip, but when I tried to update the driver to plug and play, but it wasn't listed as an option. When I did update my drivers, they told me I was current. Can you walk me through the exact path for Vista, I'm pretty sure that they merged Display properties into something else. If anyone else can get Matt's solution to work, I'm very interested in hearing how you did.
Davis
· 1 year ago
Whether it's Vista or XP, you shouldn't have to spend 10 hours troubleshooting your television. If I would have known about the DRM issues in Vista, I would have stuck in there with XP.
mkrauss
· 1 year ago
I have a Samsung 226BW as well David. The strange thing is that I can play back Netflix videos on my Samsung, but when I connect my HDTV via component cables, I then run into the same problems you describe above. If I start the movie in a window on my Samsung and drag it over to the HDTV, the movie continues playing (I can hear audio) but the video goes black.
Adam
· 1 year ago
I had the exact same problem with my 1080P projector and Denon AV receiver but when I took my Denon out of the loop and went direct from the DVI/HDMI output of my graphic card to the PTV it worked perfect.
now I have to figure out some sort of HDMI switch because the wires are in the wall and can not run another HDMI cable to the PTV.
Khoolguy
· 1 year ago
OK folks I also received DRM error while trying to watch movie on my XP Pro with IE 7 installed. I have one desktop and 3 laptops all with XP. I can watch movies on all but one and I get DRM error. I followed instructions on Netflix help site and reset DRM successfully several times, rebooted machine but that did not help. Came to this blog and several other blogs and tried deleting Netflix, delete ting Windows Media than rebooted machine, than reinstalled Netflix and WM Version 11 than rebooted machine again but no good and same problem again. Did not want to but called Netflix and the guy told me same things I had already tried than he gave up. I read other blogs and found that nothing helped me. After two day of hair pulling called Netflix again and this guy like last guy took over my machine and did same things like last guy. He could not help either. Now it started bothering me like an itch that you have to itche. I had admin rights on my laptop than why this issue. I created another profile with admin rights and after reboot I logged in under new profile and guess what I CAN WATCH MOVIES WITH NO ISSUES now on this laptop as well. I was sooooo happy that I had to come here and brag lol
Davis Freeberg
· 1 year ago
Thanks Khoolguy, it sounds like an interesting solution. I'm glad that you were able to get it to work, even though you had to jump through some hoops.
anonymous
· 1 year ago
Quote from Techie_dude: "Netflix isn’t making you pay for these movies. They are FREE with your regular subscription."
uh...How does that work?
So, it is "free" as long as you pay (subscribe)? Doesn't sound "free" to me.
I won't use it. I don't have any movies on my PC but I am not going to let the RIAA/MS scan all my files for "free" unless they pay and subscribe.
swanlake
· 1 year ago
i downloaded vista premium to upgrade from xp now i can hear sound but no video why? please help.
Anonymous
· 1 year ago
swanlake, if the video your trying to watch is .avi maybe you should download divx.
Shane
· 11 months ago
Just an FYI… you can get around the “Reset DRM Operation Failed” error by stopping the Windows service named “Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service” first. No need to abandon Vista.
MR
· 10 months ago
You are seeing this while using an account with adequate privileges to run the background DRM software, not the Guest account, correct? This can happen in a low-privilege account, regardless of M$/RIAA stupidity.
All Comments
I'm going to stick with BitTorrent, buying DVDs and buying from DRM-free sites (e.g. sanctuaryforall.com) until the MPAA wakes up and stops punishing thier customers.
They have cut-out miniletters to include in their envelopes! http://www.defectivebydesign.org/sites/nodrm.ci...
The only tricky thing I had to do was switch my primary monitor to the LCD TV in order to play most games on the TV, like Half-Life 2.
I was just spelling all of this out because it may be just that I was using it as a dual monitor, but it didn't affect my Netflix streaming at all. I could just drag my IE window to the LCD display, maximize it, start my streaming movie, and then click fullscreen and I got great picture quality and no DRM warnings. I don't have any Amazon Unbox content (or any other MS DRM content that I know of), so that may have something to do with it as well.
As a general rule, I hate DRM and will go out of my way to only purchase content that is DRM free. I have no qualms whatsoever about ripping my purchased DVDs to iPod video format instead of buying them again on iTunes and I wouldn't purchased downloadable content from Amazon that is going to be tied to DRM licenses on my computer. I do, however, kinda like Netflix's Watch it Now feature. Since it is streamed, I don't have to worry about being able to watch it next week, or after a system upgrade, or after the service goes away (like Wal-Mart's service that just went belly-up). I would be upset, as you were, if the ability to watch a streamed movie meant I could no longer watch stuff that I had legitimately purchased.
Hope you get it worked out - be sure and mention this to mike at HackingNetflix as the Netflix folks watch Mikes blog pretty closely. Maybe you can get some help out of Netflix after all.
Brent
For context, I have a Samsung 50" 720p DLP with a direct PC input, and am running a PC connected to it specifically dedicated to feeding audio/video using iTunes, Miro and Netflix Instant Viewing. I've had zero trouble such as you describe, but then, the PC is running XP, NOT Vista.
Sounds like one more vote (as if it were still necessary!) for avoiding Vista.
As an aside, Amazon Unbox is great in that you can download the content/licenses as many times as you want. Amazon stores a locker of your purchases. So it may be worth running the reset utility and see what happens.
@Lachlan - I hear you on boycotting the DRM and in all fairness, I knew that there would be DRM problems when I did buy my Amazon movies, but I also like to support innovation and being able to download a film off the net is a pretty cool feature. I could just keep my internet video consumption underground, but ideally I'd like to live in a world where I can buy a movie anytime I want straight off the net. While boycotting the DRM is a fair way to deal with this type of DRM, it doesn't do a lot to encourage the studios to open up their business model and provide content that I don't mind paying for.
@Adam - I completely agree, there is no reason why my Netflix files should have to talk with my Amazon files. If the studios want to be protected from hacking, then they should at least be required to allow their multiple forms of DRM to work together.
@Brent - Good idea about Hacking Netflix, I'll shoot Mike an email if he doesn't end up seeing it. I know that he hates DRM as much as I do.
http://www.hackingnetflix.com/2007/12/i-still-r...
As far as Netflix getting involved though, I doubt that there is really a lot that they can do. The tech guy on the phone was very good at being sympathizing with me over the problem. I think that if it was up to them, they would be more than happy to do without the layer of DRM. Eventually, Netflix was able to help me better understand the issues, but I'm not very optimistic that Netflix can help me when its really the studios telling them to disable high def computers.
Hi Neal - Unfortunately I am using Vista. When I first started shopping around for a computer, it was the only program that was available at the retail level. After having success with Vista on a new laptop, I didn't expect to have any problems when I upgraded my desktop. Unfortunately, I was wrong and wasn't aware of this HD issue. Since I'm not going be getting rid of my computer, I now have the choice of living without Netflix or trying to take back my monitor and exchange it for an inferior product.
Just stop. Use Bittorrent. Don't feel bad about it. It's your civic duty. Educating CEOs is a time consuming and expensive process. It's taken ten years on the music side, probably it will take another 5 years on the movie side before they wise up and just start providing unencumbered files to paying customers.
As for your library -- your only chance is to get those files free and clear of DRM via FairUse4WM. Which will probably be a huge pain involving a lost weekend and reading hundreds of forum posts. And in the future, don't spend money on DRM!!!!
Just stop using Netfix..
/ Duh!
// Duh Again!!
@GuyMac - If I was using a Mac instead of my Windows Vista PC, I still wouldn't be able to stream Netflix movies. Because Mr. Jobs refuses to license his DRM to Netflix, Apple has created an even more closed system than my Microsoft/HD related setup.
@Scott - Even beyond the legal liability of using pirated movies, the bit torrent experience still leaves quite a bit to be desired. If I use Netflix, I'll always (unless I upgrade my HD monitor apparently) be able to see the movies that I want at a reasonable resolution with minimal waiting. When it comes to pirated files, I may end up having to wait three days for something to download, only to find out that it's a Ron Paul campaign video or some kind of internet virus. While I do like the competitive pressure that bit torrent places on the movie studios, I would still rather pay for content and know that I'm going to get what I asked for without exposing myself to copyright lawsuits or internet STDs.
I wouldn't worry about it. The studios aren't suing BitTorrent users and if they do start, we'll all hear about it. For now they seem content to go after thepiratebay.org and leave the users alone.
Upgrade to XP to solve your problem.
I'm not sure if that will solve your problem - or just hurt your wallet since we just use unbox. Just an FYI.
For some early coverage of the MPAA lawsuits, see EFF's page:
No, it isn't. Your problems are the crappy (is there any other kind?) DRM being inflicted on you, and using Vista.
1. Laws that extend copyright beyond all reasonable bounds (originally 14 years, now life of the creator 70 years) These are not required to promote creativity. They are here to protect Mickey Mouse, and the 'estates' of dead artists that continue to leach off the culture without providing anything in return.
2. Laws like the DMCA that allow publishers to subvert your fair use rights by slapping on a layer of flimsy DRM that can't be circumnavigated without breaking the law EVEN FOR USE THAT IS ALLOWED BY LAW.
3. Penal codes that allow a $250,000 fine for sharing a single .mp3. You can commit vehicular manslaughter and get away with a lower fine. (I promise you, it wasn't concerned citizens who insisted on that sort of draconian punishment.)
4. Trade agreements that require operators of CD plants in foreign nations to submit to government inspections (imagine that, after winning to Cold War, we're now insisting that the Russians start policing their own presses on our behalf.)
The list goes on. The fact is, when you buy entertainment at full retail, you support some very unsavory practices. This is not meant to justify piracy (a pure boycott would be the more ethical choice.) Rather, it should serve as a reminder that you simply cannot buy entertainment in a fashion that does not entail encroachments on your basic liberties and dignity. There's environmental fallout from every minute you consume (at full retail.)
The short story is that, in spite of the freedom granted by the first amendment, the entertainment companies are profoundly undemocratic in their regard for individual liberty. Their desire for control of the user experience is absolutely boundless, and they will sue the daylights out of anything that crosses their paths, even if its tangential to their business. Xerox got sued for creating the copy machine. Sony got sued for creating the Betamax. Napster got sued for popularizing P2P. ANYTHING that can be used to distribute culture in any form is instinctively regarded as a threat by the content industry, at least until it can be brought under control and turned into an exclusive revenue stream. And how for will they go to 'protect' these streams? Just ask the Girl Scouts, who got sues for failing to pay royalties on songs sung around the campfire.
Some people call this evil. A better description is primitive. Understanding how to operate in a free culture is as challenging as learning how to govern with the consent of the governed. This is not, traditionally, something that Kings were good at. Only when threatened by bloody revolution do they back off and concede ground. And, revolution by revolution, tyranny is slowly replaced by democracy. Well, currently content is King. And like most Kings, it has been abusing its position terribly.
Now, it is fighting to maintain its dominance, but the people aren't backing down. And nor should they. Not until the King has renounced some of his more despotic practices, and has decided to serve the needs of free culture instead of invading every corner it can find and gouging people for admission at every turn.
For example, look what Major League Baseball did:
Customers who had spent a lot of money were suddenly no longer able to play their videos of baseball games. Whenever you are buying a DRM controlled file, you are buying something that could be rendered useless if the seller goes out of business or, as in the case with Wal Mart (recently), decides to no longer be in that line of business.
I'm sorry for your problem, but you walked right into this trap by letting someone else, anyone else, but especially a company with a record like Microsoft, decide what you own and don't own and what files on your computer they control.
I will never bump into any such problems because all the HD and most of the SD content I watch (at full HD on my non-HDCP monitor) is illegally obtained. It's long been a joke in the PC gaming community that pirate games are more easily accessible (and have better functionality, in many cases) than shop-bought originals. The only exceptions to this are internet multilpayer games, which generally will not work without a valid license.
I don't condone piracy in all forms, but if I want to watch a film in HD I can only download it. My monitor, not supporting HDCP, will cause DRM issues if I try to go legitimate and purchase either a BluRay or HDDVD drive. The problem worsens for my Xbox. If I buy the HDDVD add-on, my movies will probably get downgraded because my Xbox hooks up to my monitor via component.
When DRM goes completely away, studios are going to get a shock because people like me (and there must be more than a few!) are actually going to start buying their films.
DRM has two components. The first is a policy or rules framework which enables rights owners to define how content can be used, moved, copied, viewed, at what resolution etc. The second component is a software layer which then implements those rules and ensures the rules are enforced all the way through the content delivery pipe.
With the above in mind then the situation faced by Davis is almost certainly related to how Netflix have chosen to implement their DRM polices (Or are being forced to by the original rights owners.) The test for this is simple. Both Netflix and Amazon use the Microsoft DRM framework. If Davis' Unbox videos still play on his new HD enabled system then clearly Amazon have chose to implement a more liberal set of DRM policies. If the Amazon Unbox media still play then the culprit is Netflix (Or the rights owners.), no one else.
Microsoft does not decide what you own and what you can do with right protected media. The rights owners do. It is the rights owners who set the specifications for DRM software as it is implemented on any system, be it an operating system like XP or Vista or a disc format like BlueRay or HD DVD. When Microsoft was developing Vista the media companies set the requirements for how premium (HD) content needed to be protected. The choice was a simple one: either implement those requirements or produce an operating system which is unable to serve premium content to your customers. If you want to see just who is in control go look at debacle over connecting media pcs to HD digital cable or satellite feeds.
Finally, one of the major reasons why Apple choose not to license their DRM has everything to do with the rules set by the rights holders. Right holders demand that any approved DRM system be able to revoke a users rights at any stage in the delivery pipe and that premium content is protected from leakage through unauthorized HD outputs. Apple have a closed hardware ecosystem; they control all the components in the media delivery pipe, hardware and software. With this closed approach they can more easily provide the rights holders with the guarantees they need. The software engineering required to meet rights holder's DRM requirements in an open ecosystem is several orders of magnitude harder than for a closed system. Of course the fact that iTunes is tied to iPod hardware sales is also another compelling reason ;-)
I hope this helps.
Boycotting these products is not the answer. All that will do is get them to shut it down due to ‘lack of interest’.
I think you miss the point. That's what the pro-freedom contingency wants to see happen. I would like Digital Restrictions Management crippled services die and be replaced by services that let me see content -- at a price -- but on any computer or home cinema system.
But because the record companies and movie studios have absolutely no clue about how to do real business via the internet, I simply refuse to do business with them.
Sure, I've got a gap of several years now between what I want and what I have but, after all, it's only entertainment and I have found that I actually can live without their products altogether.
You wouldn't buy a car if the dealer kept a remote-controlled killswitch... so why do people do exactly that with DRM-protected movies or music?
Even if the music/movie industry had a track record of showing goodwill to their customers (I'll leave that question open... :) you still have to rely on fairly brittle technical arrangements to be able to watch/listen to music/movies that you have paid for.
Stuart
Piracy and Unconventional Wisdom
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/architecture/Unco...
Netflix, like most of the DRM-wanting companies, decided to go with the Windows Media platform, which Microsoft hasn't made fully workable on the Mac.
WM was seen as "better" than FairPlay, mostly because the movie studios could then charge variable prices for content, *revoke customer access to purchased content based on their hardware choices* (exactly what Vista is doing to you now), etc.
It is critical for the industry to understand that DRM is an economic loser. If it succeeds the consumer lose. This is an opportunity the consumer cannot let pass.
There is another choice. I suspect that your computer & monitor would work just fine with Windows XP. XP is still readily available. Maybe be the time the next version of Windows comes out Hollywood will have realize their error, or be irrelevant.
I haven't tried this, but it might work.
-I just may end up making the upgrade to XP Terry. It's certainly looking like a more attractive option. My only reservation is that I really like Media Center Vista and Media Center on XP is not so hot. How evil is it that even though I'm not allowed to watch Netflix, I'm apparently still allowed to use Microsoft's own software? I can even record HDTV OTA streams and automatically strip out the commercials, but I can't use one of my favorite features about Netflix.
-Thanks for the suggestion WTL, but still no Netflix.
Get another monitor and use it as the primary... then simply move the offended window to that HD monitor and continue playback.
I know you may still have problems but it is worth a try.
@Whomever - Netflix does NOT require Media Player 11 - I have 10 installed and it works beautifully :) *shrugs* Maybe it's just me!
Good luck Davis!
I buy content, yeah. for example amazon's mp3, drm free music on itunes store or others sources
but NO DRM ! no , it's too much hassle, complications and even a Torrent software is easier to deal with !
DRM is an industrial cataclysm.
So, I'm waiting. I can wait a long time, me and my money. I will not die If I'm not watching the latest will smith's movie or whatever.
Screw them back, Harder.
IRL, it is called "shoot, shovel, and shut up."
Ah... Should I mention it is free?
I have never ever considered to have vista on my pc. This is the direct effect of all Hollywood and MS games. Well even I am obliged to pay more for hardware because of the MS and all the DRM things (which makes drivers more expensive hence all the hardware).
One thing I don't quite understand: why you people keep using this crap?
Because, occasionally we'd like to be able to use some Apps? When are those Linux guys going to get around to creating some Apps? I've been waiting for like 20 years.
Oh - wait. Its free? That explains it.
Never.
I got to admit that yes, the Adobe products do not run most of the time under linux (with WINE). It really depends what you are using like software.
One is sure: for the average PC user the Linux is enough and will never miss functionality.
If you are not an average user (but, say, a designer or something... well, use a mac).
There is actually a lot more software for linux than you think. And it is clearly more accessible.
Unfortunately, like all WXP and Vista customers, I am subject to DRM when it comes to my operating system. This became apparent a few months ago when I upgraded my XP system disk and was told that my computer required re-activation which could not be done automatically and would require a telephone call to Microsoft.
Fortunately (for them) after I verbally assured them that I was replacing a failing disk they gave me the necessary activation codes over the telephone and I could continue to use my computer. Had they denied or delayed me, there would have been one more Linux user and I would have been looking to join a class action lawsuit.
We have only ourselves to blame if we keep giving these companies our money.
Confirm that if you reset the DRM you can then re-download the content and keep going.
Some one said hey itunes won't do this.. how many vendors does Apple license it DRM to? O ZERO.. as long as you only want to do business with Apple its a great system.
If you want to effect change, refuse to buy the products. Hollywood only responds to money. They would love to get rid of DVDs: creation, shipping and management of physical product cuts into their profits. Downloads cut cost to a minimum, keeping the profit high.
Instead, Microsoft could (and should) have been a good will ambassador for their hundreds of millions of Windows customers and rightly demanded that they retain control of what's absolutely THEIR property - THEIR computers. NOT for someone else to sieze control of and delete files from.
Tony Lauck, your Windows XP "Product Activation" (or Product Deactivation in your case) revealed the subtle control Microsoft has siezed on your computer. You were able to reach their call center and revive your dead property after Microsoft "permitted" you to do so. What happens when they decide to discontinue that call center?
I'm still running Windows 2000, the last great Windows OS not infected with the requirement to sacrifice ownership of your property.
It then fails if you try to use analog for any viewing.
Your argument would work if Microsoft was more powerful than the entertainment industry.
It is not. Sony, by itself, has 1.5 times the revenue of Microsoft. Sony is just one of many in the entertainment industry.
In comparison to the entertainment industry, Microsoft is a small fry.
Don't listen to the FUD. I find it ironic the same fools who complain the US government is trying to make everyone paranoid about terrorism put their tinfoil hats on and spout this crap the minute someone says "Vista" or "DRM".
The error you are getting is a software component failure and has nothing to do with your monitor not having HDCP or the like. COPP can downscale or prevent playback on non-compliant monitors, but only if it is enabled in the DRM restrictions, and so far no one is using it.
I have a Dell 2405FPW (24" Widescreen LCD) that is connected via DVI. It does not support HDCP and is not COPP compliant. Windows Vista Ultimate. Netflix Instant Viewer works fine for me.
You might need to reset your DRM, and you will have to reacquire your licenses, but your monitor and/or Vista's DRM model is not the problem.
Tech support was really nice about it all but I suspect he's a cheezed about these restictions as anyone here.
Go into Display Properties ->Settings->Advanced->Monitor->Properties
Update the driver to "Plug and Play Monitor". I was previously using Philips LCDTV Driver
That's it.... took me 10 hours to figure that little gem out.
-Matt
now I have to figure out some sort of HDMI switch because the wires are in the wall and can not run another HDMI cable to the PTV.
"Netflix isn’t making you pay for these movies. They are FREE with your regular subscription."
uh...How does that work?
So, it is "free" as long as you pay (subscribe)?
Doesn't sound "free" to me.
I won't use it. I don't have any movies on my PC but I am not going to let the RIAA/MS scan all my files for "free" unless they pay and subscribe.