Since when did over the air NBC start putting broadcast flags on their programs. I don’t know if this is specific to my local station (WNCN) but this is the first time I’ve ever ran into this message. I can pause, rewind, fast foward (and still skip commercials) but no recording for viewing later. Thanks NBC.
Update: Looks like I’m not the only one getting this:
Update 2: Wow my little blog post got linked off some stories on major sites
news.com: What is blocking Vista users from recording NBC shows?
arstechnica.com: NBC-Vista copy-protection snafu reminds us why DRM stinks
gizmodo.com: Media Center’s Do Not Record Broadcast Flag Is Still Alive
slashdot.org: NBC Activates Broadcast Flag
Also received an email from someone at the EFF (eff.org):
“As you probably know, EFF challenged the ATSC broadcast flag requirement in court and won, so we’ve got a vested interest in spotting it if it crops up in the wild.”
They wanted to verify that the broadcast was ATSC and not cable. I’ll be interested to see what comes of this if it was indeed against a court ruling for them to block recording over ATSC.
Update 3: Looks like Microsoft admitted to adhering to the broadcast flag
news.com: Microsoft confirms Windows adheres to broadcast flag
Also I got mentioned by name in the EFF post:
eff.org: Update: Why is NBC Flagging Digital TV Programs - and Why is Microsoft Obeying It?
Here are some of the other articles, posted here mostly so I can just keep track of them:
news.com: EFF: Signs are NBC triggered block of ‘American Gladiator’
slashdot.org: Microsoft Acknowledges NBC’s Wish is Its Command
g4tv.com: NBC Accidentally Flies Broadcast Flag
electronista.com: Windows Vista MC prevents users from recording shows
gizmodo.com: Microsoft and Windows Media Center Love Broadcasters More Than You
zeropaid.com: The Return of the Broadcast Flag
informationweek.com: DRM ‘Problem’ Shows Broadcast Flag’s Stupidity