jans@tekgvs.LABS.TEK.COM (Jan Steinman) (09/02/89)
<<The latest CD/DAT copy protection scheme allows *one* copy to be made of any one CD.>> <I believe that the circuit in the cassette will prevent DAT to DAT copies, but not CD to DAT.> Only for analog copies. The recorder "remembers" all the digital copies it makes, and only allows one each. This means that those who like to "program" their own tapes, with mixed-up bits from multiple CDs, will not be able to have the same CD cut on more than one tape! In my mind, this removes the most attractive use of digital recording: infinite re-recording with no loss of information. Allowing analog copies is not adequate. I'll stick to analog recorders unless DAT copy protection is defeatable for a smart hacker with a soldering iron, and not because I want to break any laws, but simply because I want to use such material I purchase to the fullest extent of the law. I don't think industry should get away with de-facto lawmaking, be it DAT copy protection, locking out frequencies on scanners, or shrink-wrap licenses. To restore some relevancy to gnu.misc.discuss, the proposed DAT copy protection is roughly analogous to mandating that you can put "ls" in /bin, or /usr/bin, but not both. The October 1989 issue of Radio Electronics has a good explanation of the DAT copy protection scheme. (Note: "Followup-To: rec.audio") Jan Steinman - N7JDB Electronic Systems Laboratory Box 500, MS 50-370, Beaverton, OR 97077 (w)503/627-5881 (h)503/657-7703