Print this page
Published in News

Apple turns over iTunes customers again

by on20 November 2008

Image

This time they might be getting angry


iTunes customers are fuming over copy protection moves at Apple which kills off iTunes movies they have rented or bought. Fruit themed Apple insists that even content that cannot be played on older displays must be HDCP (High Digital Content Protection) authorized.

Some Apple forum participants have threatened to boycott iTunes because some of them have spent thousands of dollars on Apple hardware, bought films legitimately through Apple's store, only to find themselves screwed when they just want to watch a film.

One Forum participant, Jim, moaned that Apple expanded the usage limitations of iTunes without updating the published usage terms. Apple's new MacBook is using DPCP, or DisplayPort Content Protection, which was developed by Philips.  But the Mini DisplayPort connector used on Apple's new MacBooks and MacBook Pros uses DPCP to prevent iTunes files from being played on devices that are not compliant with either DPCP or HDCP, a copy-protection technology used with the HDMI standard.

DPCP supports the HDCP technology, but is considered a stronger level of encryption. For ages Apple TV has used HDCP to protect video files playing from its HDMI port, but it has not been seen on the Fruit themed manufacturers' hardware before. In other words, Apple is treating its kool aid infected customers who have loyally stood by it with another standard which is not compatible with older displays.

What amazes us is that is that Apple users are surprised by this. Apple has always pushed ahead with new technology that doesn't work with the older stuff.  It does this as a technique to force people to upgrade. Apple has not been responding to any calls on the matter, to any member of the IT press. So, no change there then.
Last modified on 21 November 2008
Rate this item
(0 votes)