MPAA Asks Again For Control Of TV Analog Ports

suraj.sun passes along this excerpt from the Consumerist: "The Motion Picture Association of American wants to rent movies to TV viewers earlier in the release window, but they don't want anyone potentially streaming that video out to other appliances. That's why last week they went back to the FCC to once again ask for the power to disable analog ports on consumer television sets. This capability is called selectable output control or SOC, and the FCC banned it back in 2003. SOC would allow 'service operators, such as cable companies, to turn off analog outputs on consumer electronics devices, only allowing digital plugs' such as HDMI. The MPAA is arguing that if they could directly turn those plugs on and off, they could offer more goods to consumers."

Pirates

[sopssa]

The MPAA is arguing that if they could directly turn those plugs on and off, they could offer more goods to consumers.

While I usually just laught at pirates stupid reasonings to pirate content (stupid record labels, support the artists directly, blabla), this is even more fun.

"Do what we demand, or suffer."

Re:Pirates

[introspekt.i]

"Do what we demand, or suffer."

On the contrary, I think delaying the release for the next Ryan Reynods + Sandra Bullock movie is good for everybody.

Even Hollywood lawyers are out of ideas

[sohmc]

It's bad enough that the American public has to live through really bad sequels. It's even worse that Hollywood hasn't had a decent original movie in a long time.

Now, even the lawyers can't think of new ways of screwing the consumer!

You just can't make this stuff up.

Re:Two words

[db32]

Why would you say "Fantastic Offer?" I think it is a pretty shitty offer.

Re:Two words

[bluesatin]

How exactly would Fibre Optics help in this situation?

Re:Easy solution

[digitig]

This is the MPAA. You'll want what you're told to want.

Re:Two words

[Pulse_Instance]

Because if you're doing that then there is no reason to be using the TV which solves the problem about having to care about this.

Re:I wonder...

[Culture20]

Guess what else they want control over.

Re:Unbelievable!

[flyneye]

The obvious George Carlin question here is " Why do they call it 'goods' when it sucks so badly?"

Re:They've totally lost the plot

[techoi]

In Soviet Russia, analog hole watches you!

Re:I wonder...

[jank1887]

they can never block the final analog hole. well, until they replace our eyes with digital sensors at birth. a camcorder pointed at the screen will always be enough for some people.

Re:Easy solution

[Mister Whirly]

Jesus, could you imagine if the MPAA/RIAA had rabid fanboys like Apple? Scary.

Re:Pirates

[unitron]

Maybe they are also planning on making it cheaper...

And they have personally assured me that they are fully committed to doing exactly that, just as soon as their sideline business in aviation gear for swine begins producing sufficient offsetting revenue.

Idiotic argument.

[ZarathustraDK]

The MPAA is arguing that if they could directly turn those plugs on and off, they could offer more goods to consumers.

If I install a zipper in my asshole, that does NOT make me capable of shitting more!

Re:Pirates

[Darinbob]

"All right, you asked for it. Prepare for the ultimate in MPAA punishment! No movie for you! For three additional months anyway! Hah, who's laughing now? Where are you going to get your content... Wait, stop that. What are you doing? A book?? Seriously? That's so lame. No explosions, special effects, or director commentary. Stop reading and look at me when I'm fulminating at you! OK, I'll be back tomorrow to deliver my ultimatum again after you've grown bored with last millenium's technology. Prepare to be cowed!"