Digital Rights (mis-)Management

I used to record a number of TV shows with my trusty old VHS recorder. In getting with the times, I spent some $$ and purchased a simple 160gb Digital Video recorder (DVR), or DVD/HDD recorder.

Now, I understand this product has Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems within the product to limit any attempts at piracy, but frustration started last night.

I often watch a C4 Show called "U Choose 40", which allows users to vote for their favourite song within a set theme. Last week I recorded the show entitled "Best comedy Videos", which included a large number of Weird Al Yankovich songs.

Last night, they had one entitled "Men with make-up", which included a number of older hair-bands and a lot of goth/emo style music as well. I pressed record and carried on my merry way preparing food for the coming week.

I ended up being finished around 11.45, so I thought I would stop the recorder and head off to bed. When I pressed the button, the magic recorder puts up an error on the screen that stated that there was copy protected information during this broadcast and it cannot complete the recording.

I can record any new show I try, I have recorded this show in the past, but suddenly on this particular night, my ability to view the show is denied due to copy protection. I'm guessing its due to some of the songs utilized during this broadcast were commercial DVD/VHS recordings containing the Macrovision content protection system.

Now, I understand the concept of DRM, but ultimately, especially in the point of live to air television, what role does it play? If I had used my VHS recorder to copy this, I would have just sat down and viewed the program, but because I used a DVR, I am left with nothing but frustration towards it all.

It doesn't prevent piracy, all it does is piss me off, and makes a show I enjoy watching, less attractive, and if it continues, losing C4 a relatively faithful viewer.

Oh, and potentially drive me to purchase/make a Stabilizer.