> In the absolute worst case a high resolution/hertz cam on one's own screen with a quick ML software polish job, would look near to completely indistinguishable from the original content.

I’m not even interested in piracy (no ethical dilemma I just can’t be bothered), but I think this would be an absolutely fantastic tech demo, and also very funny. Ultimately the video has to be displayed on a screen, so this must be the final defeat for DRM, right?

Every now and then I do event tech for some small tech conferences, lectures, etc.

A while ago we had an issue where, under some circumstances, macbooks would enforce HDCP for their output. Obviously an issue if you're trying to record and stream a talk. And we didn't have any hdcp removal devices on hand.

So I set up a Sony FX30 with fujinon broadcast optics on a tripod, aimed at the screen. Some white balancing and adjustments to brightness and ISO curve later and the image was undistinguishable from the original.

We actually used that setup for all talks on that day, and it worked perfectly fine.

Getting the colors right would be difficult.

I imagine in the future DRM is directly embedded in the viewers brain and if it detects pirate content it just fries you.

I genuinely can't imagine any other form of DRM being successful.

Drink a verification can to continue.

You could require that all devices capable of video or audio display or capture embed models to detect copyright-protected content, and only proceed with playback or capture if they are connected to the internet and are able to verify some cryptographic liscense is valid. Put all this logic in some secure processor that self-destructs at the slightest sign of potential reverse-engineering or irregular behavior, along with physical anti-tampering measures that make phreaking or uncapping any components liable to trigger self-destruction. Then make the circumvention of any of these measures or attempts to create or import non-compliant display or capture video or audio content carry some heavy criminal penalty, such that any group well-resourced enough to attempt bypass would judge doing so foolish.

That would probably "work".