[mythtv-users] Broadcast flag (tell me why myth users should care technically?)

[Endaf Jones]

Wendy Seltzer wrote:

> The BF requires "compliant devices" not to transmit unencrypted 
> high-def streams over any user-accessible bus.  Instead, they must 
> implement the flag in a manner "robust against user modification" -- 
> so if they'd seen the flag, they could only allow down-rez'd signals 
> over the PCI bus for capture or playback.
>
> That's why it would be impossible to build a MythTV system around a 
> BF-compliant card.  Anytime the flag were applied, you wouldn't be 
> able to get the stream at all. 


Thank you Wendy.  I know understand the BF "path" after you filled me in
on the missing blanks.

This is not good.


# Endaf




Wendy Seltzer wrote:

> At 3:02 PM -0600 5/8/05, Endaf Jones wrote:
>
>> Thank you Joe for your comments.
>>
>>> Very simply: If the Broadcast flag becomes law, all ATSC recording
>>> devices with Linux drivers will no longer be sold.  Your hardware
>>> selection will GO AWAY.  That's why it is important, even to Canadians.
>>
>>
>> However (and I'm not trying to be argumentative, but rather stir the 
>> pot in order to make the readers think about what is truly happening),
>>
>> The point I'm trying to say here is that, irregardless if our 
>> ATSC/DVB PCI card vendors honor the BF (Broadcast Flag) or not, does 
>> it really matter?  What would be the tangible difference it bit 
>> streams coming out of the cards?  Are they not simply passing the 
>> stream down to the OS and isn't it the OS (or perhaps the player) 
>> that needs to honor/control the BF legislation requirements instead?
>
>
> The BF requires "compliant devices" not to transmit unencrypted 
> high-def streams over any user-accessible bus.  Instead, they must 
> implement the flag in a manner "robust against user modification" -- 
> so if they'd seen the flag, they could only allow down-rez'd signals 
> over the PCI bus for capture or playback.
>
> That's why it would be impossible to build a MythTV system around a 
> BF-compliant card.  Anytime the flag were applied, you wouldn't be 
> able to get the stream at all.
>
> --Wendy
>
>
>>
>> Is there a whole other aspect of the BF concept that isn't being 
>> talked about?  Is the problem really going to be the application 
>> (storage and playback as in "MythTV") that needs to be BF compliant 
>> and not the hardware?
>>
>>
>> # Endaf
>>
>>
>> Joe Barnhart wrote:
>>
>>> --- Endaf Jones <jonese at zener.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Why does the flag matter to us myth users ? (in terms of hardware
>>>> selection)
>>>>  
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Yes, technically, some savvy Canadian company could start creating and
>>> shipping Linux ATSC cards, but they could not be sold in the U.S. 
>>> Without a major market, it would be prohibitive to develop the ICs and
>>> card (remember, the current IC makers are U.S. based and would have to
>>> honor the ruling.)
>>>
>>> Of course, any ATSC recording hardware acquired NOW will never be
>>> limited by the Broadcast flag -- they are "grandfathered" under the
>>> Broadcast flag ruling.  Which is why there's been such a run on cards
>>> in the U.S.
>>>
>>> The Broadcast flag provision that was just struck down was a "ruling"
>>> by our FCC, which is just an executive department and lacked the
>>> authority to create new law.  The issue will now be brought to Congress
>>> where the MPAA will have to spread large amounts of money to buy enough
>>> "access" (i.e. votes) to pass their law. (I admit to being just a tiny
>>> bit cynical when it comes to copyright issues and our legislative
>>> bodies.)
>>>
>>>
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