Flaky DRM=Bad News for Music Fans
Posted by Harry McCracken | Tuesday, August 16, 2005 5:22 PM PT
I'm the sort of guy that the music industry should love--I not only listen to a lot of music, I
pay for a lot of music. And I don't have a problem with the basic notion of Digital Rights Management that puts some limits on what you can do with downloaded music.
The
implementation of DRM...well, that's another story.
I've been trying to get Napster to work on my home desktop, and I'm feeling like its DRM--which is based on Microsoft's technology--should be called Digital Rights Mangling. Every time I try to stream a song, I get a message about a required Windows Media security update, but pressing OK does nothing. When I try to download music instead of streaming it, I get a license server error. Bottom line is, I haven't listened to a single song yet.
On my Tablet PC, by the way, Napster works flawlessly. In fact, it's a blast.
There's an answer here somewhere, I'm sure--but Napster doesn't seem to have a knowledge base or other detailed troubleshooting resources on its Web site. Its message boards, where users help each other, didn't help in this case. Napster seems to want to provide tech support electronically, so I've sent in a query. In theory, I'll get an answer within 24-48 hours.
Practically anything relating to technology breaks down sometimes, of course, but my track record with Microsoft-based DRM is pretty pathetic. A couple of years ago, I gave up on trying to get the
MusicNow service, also powered by Windows Media, working--it always conked out when it tried to validate the music as legit. And I don't seem to be alone:
We recently published a story on other folks who have had trouble with Windows Media-powered music subscription services.
Like I say, I
want to like DRM. But with this stuff, I'm painfully aware that I'm trying to use protected songs--mostly because my attempts keep failing.
It's a little as if Tower Records had a security system which involved a gate coming down and a mechanical arm snatching CDs out of the hands of exiting shoppers for inspection...and it had a tendency to refuse to let you leave with your music even after you'd paid for it.
Apple's Fairplay DRM, in my experience with it, has been robust and transparent. I don't think it's a complete coincidence that the iTunes Music Store dominates the world of music downloads, and the Microsoft-powered services (as nifty as they are when they work, and I've had fun with both Napster and Rhapsody) remain also-rans.
Have you encountered any DRM glitches, Microsoft-related or otherwise?
bsd
piracy is a cheap price for endless stupidity...
if there was no copy protection to bypass, at least half of the motives would be meaningless.
leechers will never pay, payers will never use.
The problem with DRM in general is that restrictions aimed at preventing illegal use invariably interferes with legitimate use. At the very least, it tends to restrict the software or hardware being used - a given media player might be superior in every way, save that it's not approved by those producing the media. It impedes legitimate copying - songs might be downloaded, but then can't subsequently be copied to a portable player - or if that player has been replaced, can't be copied onto a new player that wasn't registered when the song was downloaded. It may prevent media from being backed up, forcing users to download it again (or even purchasing again, if the provider doesn't allow repeat downloads).
It's not really an issue with implementation, since it's pretty much impossible to create a perfect implementation - can software tell whether copying a file is being done for legal or illegal purposes?
The only answer in this case is allofmp3.com
No DRM pay service.
DRM is wrong in every way. There is NO practical use for DRM.
I love napster-to-go service. It has one glitch when you have a printer hooked up to your computer, but other than that I love being able to download music to my mp3 player and also listen to whatever i want without paying each time. Gone are the days you have to pay to find out a song sucks
"give the customer what they want."
I've never encountered a customer who wanted DRM.
I've had several issues with MS DRM. The current system is highly flawed. However, a quick fix does exist for Harry's problem. In order to fix the license update issue, the following registry keys need to be modified (If you don't have any of them, not to worry, just modify those you do have). As always, take care in modifying the system registry, backup a copy first, and ensure your modifying the decimal value (I'm not responsible for any system meltdowns because of meddling incorrectly with the registry!):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WMDRM\DisableOnline to be
set to 0 (to acquire licenses)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlayer\PreventCDDVDMetadataRetrieval
to be set to 0 (to download automatically the metadata)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlayer\PreventMusicFileMetadataRetrieval
to be set to 0 (" to download the titles)
Best of luck!
BTW... for the grammatically inclined, I meant "you're" not "your" above =)
CK
6 out of 10 songs purchased via Napster stopped working within 3 months. Napster Customer service couldn't fix it, and I was credited for the loss.
Napster Customer Service told me that the licenses had been revoked on the tracks I'd purchased.
That's like the record company invalidating 60 percent of the CDs in my collection. I'll never buy another track from them.
iTunes, on the other hand, has a 100 percent success rate. So far.
iTunes is definitely the only service i have not had problems with. the second best is rhapsody, but with them i have had it happen twice where i buy and download an album and it refuses to let me burn it to a CD. it's pretty annoying to spend money on a CD only to be told that you didn't get the songs legitimately and you cannot burn them.
I think Mr. McCraken was a little unfair in comparing subscription services Napster and MusicNow to iTunes which doesn't offer subscription service.
My experience with DRM from various sites are:
1. MusicMatch-no problem
2. MSN Music-no problem
3. Wal-Mart-inconvenient that I have to manually transfer licenses to new PC instead of having it downloaded automatically like with #1 & 2 above.
4. BuyMusic.com-it won't let me transfer license to my new PC at all! Good thing I burned songs to CD on my old PC before I wiped the hard drive.
I haven't tried Napster, Rhapsody or iTunes yet.
I have to disagree with all forms of DRM. Its a matter of property rights. If i buy the song its mine, or should be. There should be no barriers stopping me from transfering my song to multiple players or other media forms.
Any thing ever made for windows never works.period never mind anything else.MICROSOFT and BILL GATES both SUCK big time use linex or mac they both work.
why does this image race through my mind every time i read the comments posted 'round here?!?!
http://168.144.136.42/fzer.jpg
I have had nothing but trouble with DRM. The last time I had trouble with a file I purchased, the instructions to fix it gave me a headache just reading them. I finally decided the files weren't worth the hassle and I refuse to do business with any web site that uses DRM since.
Like another PCWorld article previously said, they should just put up PayPal buttons on music sites. Despite what the RIAA propaganda claims, people aren't cheap and they'll most likely donate if they like what they've heard. Alot of the times, people simply want one song from an album and don't want to pay for an entire album that they don't like. DRM doesn't even protect artist rights, just corporate rights of profit.
I tried Napster and wanted it to go well. I bought an album and a few other singles. Got a new computer and couldn't make the switch. I'm glad that most (unfortunately not all) of them I had burned to CD, which I then ripped and put into ITunes. I think I'll go back to the "shady" way.
Yes. All of my Yahoo Music premium content I am "renting" stopped working. After 2 weeks of worthless exchanges with Yahoo Music - where they finally came back and wen't "yeah, you probably installed something. Sorry. We can't help" I uninstalled the app, rebooted and reinstalled. Then I had to manually double-click every song in the Yahoo Music Engine before WMP10 would play them. WMP10 still won't grab the license files. I am cancelling my subscription. It isn't worth the hassle.
I wish I could pay someone one fifth of my salary to go to work for me one day, then get paid for that for the rest of the year.
However, I can't so I find it hard to sympathize with the music inudustry when discussing "piracy" or "terrorism" or whatever they're calling it today.
iTunes just works.
It's not a perfect solution but I burn every track I purchase to CD then rip it back to 192 kbps MP3. That way I have a DRM-free version that will never dissappear or have to be re-purchased. It is an extra hassle and I may lose a little sound quality but it is worth it. Like most people here I love music and I think the artists who create it should be paid. I wish I could just give them my money directly.
I use MusicMatch OnDemand and love it. Being able to stream full-length songs a few times before buying it is essential. 30 sec previews are not enough. Just wish they had more tunes. Library is smaller than Yahoo and iTunes I think.
I tried the 'new Napster'. I PAID for and downoaded 10 songs. Hey $10 for songs that I like, OK! Well I had a couple of system problems and had to reinstall my system(no fault of Napster) then when I tried to dl the songs I had paid for, the Napster/DRM setup informed me that I would have to pay again for those songs! Well RIAA you won! I went out after several hours and days and bought the albums that had those songs. I want my $10 back as well as damages. Any layers out that can say CLASS-ACTION lawsuit?
I tried the 'new Napster'. I PAID for and downoaded 10 songs. Hey $10 for songs that I like, OK! Well I had a couple of system problems and had to reinstall my system(no fault of Napster) then when I tried to dl the songs I had paid for, the Napster/DRM setup informed me that I would have to pay again for those songs! Well RIAA you won! I went out after several hours and days and bought the albums that had those songs. I want my $10 back as well as damages. Any lawyers out that can say CLASS-ACTION lawsuit?
I have used Napster to Go and Yahoo Unlimited with my Creative Zen Micro MP3 player and I haven't had any problems. I love the service. Its easy to use and I pay less that 10 bucks a month for all of the music I want. Also, the quality is high and consistent.
Trevor Ahlert
http://fantasyfootballdailytips.blogspot.com/
I'll NEVER pay for music EVER
Not after all the BS. I refuse to pay.
They get my $$ from all blank CDs I buy.
Yes here in B.C. blank CD prices have gone up almost 100%.
All that money goes to RIAA or whaever they call themselves here.
I just run 2 HD's. One with music and viruses, and one clean. I also unplug one to use the other so there is no contamination.
Then I record in CD and do virus checks on them.
Tada! music music music! and I do ANYTHING with it.
SORRY FOR TH CAPS! BUT I HAVE TO BE LOUD ABOUT THIS!
DRM SUCKS ASS AND LICKS BALLS (NOTHING PERSONAL TO ANYONE HERE) BUT IVE TRIED THEM ALL NAPSTER, REAL, YAHOO ........... AND I HAVE HAD TOUBLE BURNING MY FUCKN MUSIC THAT I PAID FOR TO BURN TO A DISC! IVE PERSONALLY EMAILED AND WRITTEN TO ALL THESE GREEDY BASTARDS AND TOLD THEM MY SITUATION! AND THEY ALL TOLD ME TO FUCK OFF AND WOULDN'T BOTHER HELPING ME OUT! SO THIS IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY
FUCK YOU ALL GREEDY DRM FUCKERS!!!
THE BEST WAY TO SOLVE THE EVERYONE DRM RIGHTS IS JUST STREAM RECORD THE SHIT FUCK EVERYONE ELSE WITH THERE DRM BULLSHIT!
The problem with DRM is the license is attached to a PC. When the PC goes tits up the license does to. They need to attach the license to some sort of thing that will identify the person using the music. I propose to associate the license with a biometric of the person such as a fingerprint. Then every player should include a fingerpint scanner to identify the person. This way you can put your music on any player and play the music you paid for, you just can't give it to anybody else.
Good idea Garry. A little high tech for me with the fingerprinting however and I would expect many users would be quite apprehensive about that type of technology and complication. Could it be so simple (the license association) as registering- like you do at paypal with a CC/etc and your name/address/email?? I download a TON of music and mainly use realplayer to burn to CD, and have a subscription which allows me 10 free songs a month, abilty to convert formats and a lot more. However they attatch that damn liscense to their files that u purchase as well. This really puts limitations on what you can do as we've all agreed...
I was reading above above editing the registry, would that enable the files to be non protected and thus be able to work to wherever/whatever?! If so, how safe is it? Would you mind elaborating on that process??
And please, bear with me all, what does DRM stand for? Hahaha. Seriousley I missed that one. And What is the deal with VZW music, in laymans, and it's Vcast handsets that virtually let you put any kind of file from anywhere-ripped cd, mp3s from whereever and even a lot of the subscription service stuff. Ahhh. There is a lot of contraversy on the web surrounding the vzmusic and if you make the change (have a handset from before the thing came out and get the flash) or if you purchase the new phone with it already on there. Can users still put mp3s of their choosing on their memory cards, like with no hassle-I am reading so many conflicting things??
Thanx:)
-A gadget gal in need of some higher "DRM" ED.
why has my FREE napster quit on me> White screen only after hitting "play"..... ???