Quoting Thomas Leitch <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>:
I think it's a great, positive step forwards that content can be delivered to a device like the iPhone.
If the content was available unencumbered the iPhone would never have been prevented from seeing it. If just iPhone users no longer being prevented from seeing iPlayer content is a great step forwards, imagine how much greater a step it would be if *everybody* could just see it (modulo having a powerful enough device).
The protection afforded by the device (stuff isn't saved to a disk/can't be ripped off) means content providers are happier in permitting it.
As recent events show, it is very easy to get that content and I'm sure that the iPhone jailbreaking community will come up with something that actually runs on the iPhone.
The fact the stream is unencrypted is actually anathema to the whole discussion. I'm sure that, should the iPhone trials prove successful, as other devices from other manufacturers arrive on the market that offer similar "protection" and have a particular level of demand, we should hopefully see the trial expanded.
This is not less work for distributors or more valuable to consumers and producers than releasing the content in a way people can just use.
But the BS about the biggest market first is... well, true. You must serve your biggest audience first, but that's not at the exclusion of others.
The biggest audience is those who can play DRM-free standards (such as MPEG). They have not been targeted first, or at all.
Look at how a Windows iPlayer client was released first,
To the exclusion of others.
then we've seen a Flash streaming version and now an iPhone version. And in fact, can't you now even access content on the Virgin Media platform ? That is progress however you may choose to view it.
It is busy-work caused by counterproductive constraints.
As evinced by others, content providers are not going to drop demands for content protection any time soon.
The recent history of music and some of the developments of the recent US Writer's strike gives cause for hope.
By convincing ourselves they are, we actually do our cause a great disservice.
It can, and *has* been done. See "Where Are The Joneses".
It's only when the commercial realities start to illuminate the way, that we'll see a much greater sea change in the industry.
Sadly, DRM and old-fashioned platform lockdown is preventing this. - Rob. - Sent via the backstage.bbc.co.uk discussion group. To unsubscribe, please visit http://backstage.bbc.co.uk/archives/2005/01/mailing_list.html. Unofficial list archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
