Published: 2006-03-17
When playing traditional MP3 files many players performed admirably, often exceeding their advertised times. However when DRM protected content was played, the extra overhead from verifying licenses caused noticeably reduced battery life. In the example of the Creative Zen Vision:M, almost 4 hours of playtime, or about 25 percent of the overall battery life, was sacrificed.
Other players had losses as well, and discussion within the article highlights the increasingly common frustrations of end users when dealing with DRM. From the rootkit snafu late last year to more recent DRM experiences, DRM increasingly appears to lead to worse consumer experiences and, in some cases, outrage.
Battery life was not the only performance issue caused by the extra processing that DRM requires. The investigators also encountered playback delays and overall slower responsiveness when playing DRM protected content.
Posted by: Peter Laborge
