Researcher slams Microsoft over Vista’s content protection features

Microsoft has been attacked by a researcher who says Vista’s content protection features not only degrade the quality of video in certain circumstances, but also require users to spend more on hardware and vendors to spend more on development.

Peter Gutmann, researcher and author of a paper entitled “The longest suicide note in history”, says Vista’s content protection features favor film studios over computer users.

One of the strict requirements imposed by Microsoft in Vista is the use of a graphics card that supports High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP). This allows copyright holder to prevent video from being played in high definition unless the graphics card requirement is met.

As a result of not meeting the hardware requirement, all home videos recorded using high-definition equipment, even if its your own, can only be played at much less than high-definition quality.

In response, Microsoft said its copyright protections are just a common feature in many different playback devices.

Gutmann said that hardware cost also increases because vendors faced the additional burden of getting their drivers Vista approved. To get driver Vista compatible certified, vendors must not only adhere to Microsoft’s strict requirements, but must also to get a written approval from each of the film studios such as Disney, MGC, and 20th Century Fox. Thus, it takes additional time and/or money.

Gutmann argued that Microsoft is giving more attention to content protection, perhaps to appease Hollywood. He feels that the software company should have focused instead on Vista security features that protect the user.

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