Hasta La Gadget!

The web is defined by the free, open exchange of information, right? Not necessarily. The W3C has decided that it’s “in scope” for its HTML Working Group to explore a specification for the Encrypted Media Extensions framework, which would allow companies to plug in their own copy protection for web content. In other words, the effort would add support for DRM extensions to the web itself, rather than leave it to content plugins like Flash. The W3C’s Philippe Le Hegaret is careful to note that this isn’t an explicit endorsement of EME as it’s suggested, or even the call for consensus on the proposal — there are already concerns that the spec would lead to an abundance of DRM plugins that wouldn’t work in certain browsers or operating systems. However, there’s a chance it may become reality when EME’s backers include content hosts or producers like the BBC, Google, Microsoft and Netflix.

Filed under: Internet, Microsoft, Google

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Via: Wired, Slashdot

Source: W3C

Comedian Louis C.K. has announced via his Twitter account that he plans to sell his upcoming HBO special for $5 after it debuts, but it won’t be available until after a few months from its air date. Louis C.K. also notes that the standup special will be available worldwide and will also be DRM-free.

The $5 special will be available for purchase on C.K.’s website, louisck.com within a few months after the special airs on HBO. The air date isn’t confirmed, but it will air sometime in 2013. This also isn’t the first time that Louis C.K. has sold his standup specials on his website for $5. He did it for the first time last year and it was a huge success.

Other comedians have since joined in on selling their own DRM-free $5 standup specials, including Parks and Recreation star Aziz Ansari, who is selling his “Dangerously Delicious” standup special on his website for only $5. Louis C.K.’s HBO special will be a homecoming for the comedian, who wrote for “The Chris Rock Show” on HBO and starred in his own comedy series, “Lucky Louie,” for one season.

It’s rare to see HBO relinquish control of its content and allow it to be offered digitally with few viewing restrictions, but hopefully this is just one step forward out of many steps that will be taken for content providers. Seeing DRM-free content at a low price is a rare thing in and of itself, but seeing premium cable content providers allowing it is a huge plus for consumers.

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Louis C.K. will sell upcoming HBO special for $5 is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
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On a dark and stormy night, an employee of your local bookstore strolls into your home, starts tossing books you’d purchased over the last few years into a box, and – despite your protest – takes them all away without saying a word. More »

MediaPortal is a rare veteran spinoff of XBMC — a testament to its fan base, but also a sign that it needs a fresh coat of paint. A new 1.3 beta might offer just what home theater PC users have been looking for to keep the front end relevant, at least in the short term. It carries a much more contemporary (and less Windows Media Center-like) skin with minor tweaks to the layout and overall interface. CableCARD support also makes its overdue appearance, although the lack of official CableLabs approval keeps the software from recognizing any copy-protected shows. Don’t fret if those additions aren’t enough, however — we’ve been given a hint as to what the long-in-development MediaPortal 2 will offer through a pair of videos. The clips are largely top-level overviews, but they allude to mobile tie-ins, events, extensions, more skin support, video backgrounds and news. With an Autumn Build of MP2 available “right around the corner” for viewers, it might not be long before we learn what those new additions are like through first-hand experience.

Continue reading MediaPortal posts new beta with new look and CableCARD, teases bigger sequel (video)

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Software, HD

MediaPortal posts new beta with new look and CableCARD, teases bigger sequel (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 23:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AAC files and the arcane don’t have much in common on the surface. After some digging, however, PBS’ Idea Channel has found that magic is an uncannily good analogy for digital music rights and explaining the thorny ethical issues that come with them. Both music and spells stem from grassroots cultures that give away their content for free, but (at least until an anti-magic clampdown at eBay) have since become businesses. That nature poses a key ethical question: when we’re used to a free experience and can copy songs or spells as much as we like, what does it take to keep us as honest customers? As show host Mike Rugnetta suggests, it’s a matter of personal responsibility — if we want more of either, we have to think of the commerce as showing support for future work. You can catch Mike’s clever train of thought after the break, and ponder what constitutes DRM for a potion while you’re at it.

Continue reading PBS draws link between digital music ethics and magic spells, somehow makes it look simple (video)

Filed under: Portable Audio/Video, Internet, Alt

PBS draws link between digital music ethics and magic spells, somehow makes it look simple (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 22:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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