Users of Microsoft Vista's Media Center were unable to record prime-time NBC TV shows on Monday night. Reports maintain the problem was caused by a broadcast flag which activated Media Center's DRM copy protection measures, stopping recordings of over-the-air and cable broadcasts. Neither NBC nor Microsoft have an explanation for the issue, but are looking into it. No other reports of such problems came from users of either DirecTV or TiVo DVR services.

The two shows users could not record included American Gladiator and Medium, instead getting a message that read: "Recording cancelled. [TV show] cannot be recorded. Restrictions set by the broadcaster and/or originator of the content prohibit recording of this program."

The occurrence is proof that Microsoft's Media Center is aware of the restriction flags set by broadcasters and can be triggered at will, restricting content which should not be. [via Arstechnica]