[mythtv-users] OT: Tivo Users Can, So Can MythTV users?

[Brett Wooldridge]

I say we should add the capability and only remove it if ordered to do 
so.  There is also always the option of moving the project hosting to 
someplace other than the U.S.   We have no idea how the FCC would 
interpret this feature, and I don't think we should base development 
decisions based on worst-case projections.  Build the feature, and let 
the chips fall where they may.


Michael T. Dean wrote:

> Geoff at Hundekeandroyal dot com wrote:
>
>> I'm sure we've all seen this article over at slashdot:
>>
>> http://yro.slashdot.org/yro/04/08/04/2212251.shtml?tid=158&tid=95&tid=103 
>>
>
>
> That one showed up as "FCC Rules VoIP Must Be Tappable" for me.  
> Here's where I found the Hollywood/NFL stuff:
> http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/07/22/156231&tid=129
> and
> http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/08/04/196238&threshold=5&tid=129&tid=158 
>
>
>> Two ideas:
>>
>> 1)  Mirror exactly what Tivo will be doing.  You record, and send.  I 
>> know that this can already be done, but it's certainly not a "part" 
>> of MythTV.
>>
>> 2)  The more attractive option is where a group of friends come 
>> together and "share" a Program Guide.  On the community program 
>> guide, it only shows the channels that you ALREADY receive.  You find 
>> a recording you would like to make, and if for some reason your card 
>> can't record it (watching live TV, or doing another recording), 
>> another "friend" in the group "loans" his capture card and records 
>> the show for you.  It is then sent to you after the recording has 
>> finished.
>>
>> This essentially gives you multiple cards at your disposal, but keeps 
>> it on the up and up by not allowing you to record shows you don't pay 
>> for.  No reason why I should be able to get Showtime programs when I 
>> don't pay for Showtime.
>
>
> So, here we can get the MPAA, the local broadcasters, *AND* the 
> service providers (cable/satellite operators) after us.  After all, if 
> you're paying for the $20/mo package, one of your friends has the 
> $40/mo package, and another has the $80/mo "complete" package, and 
> you're recording shows off a friend's premium channel, the 
> cable/satellite company could prosecute you for stealing the service 
> (just like in the '80's).  After all, haven't you noticed a resurgence 
> of "cable theft is a crime" ads?
>
> Then there's the FCC's banning the American public from subscribing to 
> local stations outside their "Designated Market Area."  When someone 
> in CA sends a friend in New York a show from his/her local NBC 
> station, this could be seen as violating the FCC's market protection 
> rules.  (That was peripherally mentioned in the article, but I'm sure 
> the FCC will tell TiVo who can appear on the list of 9 friends.  Since 
> the FCC can't exert similar control over an open source project, they 
> probably would prefer to shut the project down.)
>
> Therefore, I would say it's not worth pushing too far and getting the 
> project shut down.  And, before you say it's impossible to shut down 
> an open source project, ask yourself if you'd be willing to spend your 
> life savings and several years of your life to prove that you're right?
>
> Just my 2 cents.
>
> Mike
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