VOD content in TV hits classics should it be copy protected

[mertle]

I dont understand why content which is more than 20 years in the making old has protection to prevent you recording these classics for prosperity.

In many cases some are likely to make there way to UK Gold and other retro showing channels. Which are aired without encription so you can record. So why the insistence of protection.

Afterall the VOD system not going to be a bottomless pit. Stuff will be removed to make way for new content. So once its gone its gone and you will be unable re watch some of the timeless classics you enjoyed all those years ago. Surely we should be encouraged to protect classics for tv historic reasons. Afterall the industry has in the past been very lapsed in there efforts to protect shows. How many programmes have gone missing due to poor protection in the archives. I heared stories of deliberate wiping of film to be used for other programmes. So much for there achive protection.

What if there was a fire like universal these shows would then be lost forever.

VOD looked a sensible way off making sure this content lives forever. I was hoping that VOD would been expanded to show old sporting events.

I just seems the industry treats the customers as a cash machine. BBC wants a trillion licence fee ticket to rule the world. Timeless classics get DVD makeovers then get pulled just because the public see how much they are ripped off. Those who are gullible end up with not a full series compilation.

I seen costs from 70 - 200 quid just to get boxsets of these timeless classics. Complete ripoff.

The film industry even worse they bring out a film, then a couple of months a respin re-master version. James Bonds movies a classic example. Then the holly Directors cut spins out. In some cases the just happen to find some content which was omitted misteriously appears to make even a new version.

Are we just being taken for a ride.

[bonzoe]

How can you be taken for a ride when they are free to watch?

Not sure if this is a comment on Virgin or the film industry.

[mertle]

Originally Posted by bonzoe

How can you be taken for a ride when they are free to watch?

Not sure if this is a comment on Virgin or the film industry.

I think you mis understand my gripe. VOD not always going to have particular shows on there system all the time as such you are only going to be able to see while its presently on the system. So in effect VOD always going to be a glorified UK GOLD with the added effect you cannot record the content to DVD recorder. I cannot see any reason for protecting content from being recorded especially if these series were first transmitted 20+ years back.

What Suspect is the producers of those shows want to dredge more DVD boxsets at extorsionate prices for these classic time warp programmes. I worked it out it could cost an individual thousands of pounds to get all your old favourites. That is were we are getting ripped off like the film industry churning out the same movie with little perks. In my opinion VOD needs to stop protecting these shows. As for freebie one programme according to my vod was 49p yet still was protected. If I have to pay a small fee say £6 for the whole series to record then I might be little happier. I did not make the service free it was virgin media.

Obviously I have no qualms film flex being protected. The gripe is with the main film industry churning out different versions of that same film expecting it to make more gold. When you buy the first release you feel be ripped off. I tend to wait now to see what happens.

On The Film FLEx maybe virgin media could do a 2 price tier system. One for watching and another price to reflect people who wish to make a DVD of that film. Most films come out at 14-20 quid in a box. So maybe charge £10-16 to reflect no box and cover restriction. Protection to the content so only you can watch the product with DRM encription.