[mythtv-users] cablecard

[Jay R. Ashworth]

On Thu, Apr 07, 2005 at 12:30:08AM -0700, Brad Templeton wrote:
> On Wed, Apr 06, 2005 at 07:33:10PM -0400, Jay R. Ashworth wrote:
> > Just to be clear: the best we're likely to get would be QAM compatible
> > *tuner cards* with cablecard slots on them.  Don't expect mezzanine
> 
> Can you say what you have heard?  Again, purpose #2 of the cablecard
> (their purpose) just doesn't work at all if they give us something
> like this that will talk to a program like mythtv.  So it's hard to see
> why they would give this, it goes against everything they have said they
> want.

I wasn't basing it on anything I hadn't read on their website, but that
was some time ago, and clearly, they've been invested with the spirit
of Jack Valenti.

> The purpose of the cablecard is to split the decryption from other
> functions of the set top box, officially.  But unofficially they have
> no desire to let ordinary users get at the video stream.

Well, if it's unofficial, then someone needs to test-case them: try to
manufacture a tunercard that does what we want, and attempt to get
interface certification, and when they refuse, sue them.

> Even if myth people could come up with the $100,000 it costs to certify
> to use the cablecard, how would myth meet the requirements not to let the
> unencrypted video be available?

Wherein lies any requirement not to let the unencrypted video be
(digitally) available?  Clearly, as has been well known since about 5
years ago when the "encrypted interface right down the IDE cable: Linux
can't talk to hard drives anymore" scare blew over, there is no way to
do that.  If the video is encrypted, it's not video, and the tunercard
is useless.

Why do you think the industry is pushing so hard for digital TV?  It
sure as *hell* isn't the broadcasters pulling for it...

I'm looking for someone with the money and balls to be a test case
based on Sony v. Universal, myself.  This is clearly what it will take;
the industry will continue trying to control how we can utilize what we
are willing to give them their paychecks for right up until the
Supremes smack them with the clue-by-four.

And then things will shake out just like they did after Universal:
their revenues will triple.  Unless they piss us off too badly first.

Cheers,
-- jra

Cheers,
-- jra
-- 
Jay R. Ashworth                                                jra at baylink.com
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      If you can read this... thank a system administrator.  Or two.  --me