[mythtv] [mythtv-commits] Ticket #4752: Add R5000 STB Support to MythTV

[Michael Norton]

If I may... according to danielk, supposedly the issue is that there
is "no way to use the R5000 mod without violating ToS & probably the
DMCA."

Well, I use the R5000 mod and I am quite certain I do not violate my
agreement with my satellite provider, nor the DMCA. I invite anyone to
take a look at my provider's Terms of Service at
http://www.starchoice.com/english/TermsofService.pdf and point out
where it says that modifying my receiver or recording programming is
not allowed. As for the DMCA, I couldn't violate it if I tried,
because it does not apply in my country. (To be clear, even if the
DMCA did apply to me, the R5000 mod does not circumvent any
restrictions anyway -- it only allows access to channels that I have a
paid subscription for.)

Now, my understanding of Stuart's argument is that modifying the
set-top box is flat-out immoral/illegal. I don't necessarily agree
with that, but even if I did, people do use the R5000 mod *without*
modifying their set-top box. A lot of Motorola boxes have a port
intended for a connection to an external decoder -- the HDD-200. A
common setup is for people to purchase their own HDD-200, install the
R5000 mod in *that* box, and then plug it into the port on their
cable/satellite receiver. Note that this port is already active -- one
could argue that this amounts to implicit consent. :-)

I have nothing against developers taking a stand against things that
are plainly illegal, but I really don't think the R5000 falls into
that category.

-mn