Digital Audio Technology, 4th Edition

Appendix 3: Serial copy management system (SCMS)

The introduction of new digital recording systems like DAT, MiniDisc and DCC made it perfectly possible to produce high-quality copies of existing materials. When using digital interconnection, there is virtually no sound quality degradation. This raises the question for protection of copyrighted material. The SCMS limits the ability of consumer digital audio recording equipment to make digital transfers. SCMS allows a single generation copy of a copyrighted digital source. For example, a copyrighted CD can be digitally copied to a DAT recorder once (and only once). The SCMS system prevents further digital copies of that tape. Figure A3.1 shows some examples of possible situations. Note that, regardless ...