Apple is DRM's Biggest Backer 400
parvenu74 writes "Arstechnica is running an article pointing out that while some pockets of the entertainment industry are experimenting with DRM-free distribution, Apple Inc, which announced that they have now sold over 2,000,000,000 songs on iTunes, is now the strongest pro-DRM force in digial media. From the article: 'DRM is dying. It's a statement being echoed with increasing frequency around the Web over the last few weeks, and is perhaps best articulated in this Billboard article. But there's a powerful force standing in the way of this DRM-free panacea, and it might not be the one you expect: Apple, Inc.'"
Independent music on iTMS (Score:5, Informative)
Their payout rates to artists are as good or better than other services, as I discussed elsewhere [livejournal.com].
So while no-DRM would be ideal, Apple's approach isn't unfriendly to indie musicians.
Re:How about Apple TV (Score:2, Informative)
Re:How about Apple TV (Score:4, Informative)
"Video formats supported: H.264 and protected H.264 (from iTunes Store)"
No mpeg2, divx or anything else... so it's clear they don't want you using videos from anywhere else. Pure h264 videos are rather hard to get at the moment.
It really wouldn't suprise me if the DVI was HDCP enabled - in fact the content providers will probably insist.
Re:That's why I don't buy from Apple. (Score:2, Informative)
Re:That's why I don't buy from Apple. (Score:4, Informative)
Preferences -> Advanced -> Setting: -> Custom
Re:You don't get it. (Score:3, Informative)
Apple are NOT a hardware company. They're an "experience" company. They package together hardware and software, and through the wonder of synergy, sell a box that does a lot, for a price that is a lot. That's what apple does. It's not about hardware OR software.
Because they sell experiences, they have to control what goes on as much as a marketing agency controls what goes on in adverts - and for the same reason - brand protection. They need to ooze the feeling that you're getting so much more with Apple than with another computer-type-box from somewhere else. If the experience they're selling is tarnished, even slightly, that's a massive dent in the only real thing they're selling. For an example - that's why they initially said iPods don't work with Windows, when they have from day one. They err on the side of caution, as their reputation is the only thing other companies can't develop with their own R&D spending. Fashion is weird like that :)
Re:That's why I don't buy from Apple. (Score:4, Informative)
Don't forget that Apple have made no attempt to disable the 'Burn to CD then reimport' workaround
True, but there's no equivalent for DVDs, unfortunately. That's why I buy tunes on iTMS but not vids.
Re:Some "workaround"... (Score:2, Informative)
Depends. If you push the CD tray back in when iTunes pops it out after burning, it can automatically import the songs back as MP3 files complete with tagging. If you wait, or burn multiple CDs at one time, it won't and you'll have to tag them yourself.
Re:I hate to point this out... (Score:2, Informative)
When you burn a CD with iTunes. It stores the information for that CD into its database. When you put the disc back in the songs are still properly labeled...When you rip the songs from the CD they still have their metadata. There is a program at least for the Mac that automates this process using a CD-RW and scripting iTunes.
Re:yes and No (Score:3, Informative)
There's a big difference between stating "buying music online legally", versus the more specific "I want DRM music from another vendor to work on my iPod." A large variety of music works on the iPod. You never have to touch a DRM source, including Apple, if you don't want to. That said, though if you are purchasing DRM music, it seems irony of the highest order to demand it also be interoperable. The best you should hope for is that it works for the situation you purchased it for. Apple's DRM, in this context, works. In fact, it works so well, that people forget that they have purchase DRM music, until it bites them.
The very nature of DRM is the reduction of interoperability, whining that you got what you purchased just seems asinine. I want DRM to go away, but then again, I also want regional coding to go away as well. I make purchases that are informed by those wants/desires. I do purchase from iTunes (a whole hell of a lot), but I'm fine with the current limitations. But I purchase non-DRM music as well, and what I get in freedom, I pay for in time and inconvenience, but those are acceptable trade-offs.
Re:Some "workaround"... (Score:3, Informative)
There are a number of concepts that you should become familiar with before you spout off: first, what is a lossy encoding? What is a lossless encoding? Which is MP3, which is AAC, and which is used by a CD? Why is the concept relevent?
What does "128" mean? You don't seem to understand. What's the difference between ABR, CBR, and VBR?
You'd better spend a bit of time thinking about this before you put on your Apple Fanboy hat and try ineffectually to flame someone who clearly understands all of these things, when it's blatantly clear that you do not.
There's nothing wrong with being ignorant, per se. It's being condescending and ignorant that really makes you look like a fool and a jerk.