Damn Hackers Delay New DVD Hardware

By Jack December 2, 1999 6:19 AM

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Word that hackers have successfully found ways of defeating copyright-protection codes embedded in DVD disks has resulted in Matsushita's decision to delay by about six months sales of new DVD audio/video players and new TV consoles with built-in DVD audio/video players, the Dow Jones news service reported today (Wednesday).?A new automobile audio-DVD system, scheduled to be introduced later this month, was also delayed by about six months, the wire service said.?

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RE: Damn Hackers Delay New DVD Hardware   reply

Posted by Demona (frogfarm@hempseed.com) on December 2, 1999 9:10 AM

Yup, it's the damn hackers' fault that consumers think they have the
right to do what they want with the product they have paid for. How
dare they?

On a more serious note, I hear that after this year, all DVD players
MUST have region locking enabled in hardware...but it's only a matter
of time before someone breaks from the pack, like Plextor did with
Digital Audio Extraction. In the meantime, the majority get screwed. 
Sit back, shut up and eat your gruel, citizen-unit.

RE: Damn Hackers Delay New DVD Hardware   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on December 2, 1999 11:41 AM

So what if someone figured out how to defeat copyright-protection codes? Most people have a flashing 12:00 on their VCRs; does Matsushita honestly think that a few hackers are going to make any difference whatsoever? Please. It this is the reason they are delaying, then they are being foolish. Do they think that some magic uncrackable encryption scheme is going to fall out of the sky and land on their designer's desks? Do they think their profits will suddenly go away if it doesn't?