[mythtv-users] MythTV vs. Windows Media Center

[Ben Kamen]

On 2/9/2011 4:01 PM, Eric Sharkey wrote:
> On Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 4:50 PM, Ben Kamen<bkamen at benjammin.net>  wrote:
>> That brings up a good point.. I hear cablecards are still a mystery to most
>> local offices...
>> and when something goes wrong or doesn't work like you expect, who do you
>> complain to that will --
>>
>> A: Have even the slightest clue what you're talking about.
>> B: Care.
>> C: Be able to do anything about it.
>> D: That doesn't have their hands shackled by corporate.
>
> You could say the same about using the firewire port on a STB, and the
> answer would likely be the same: the people on this mailing list.
>
>> Going with DRM doesn't seem like the answer and just feeds into the
>> DRM-is-ok-cause-look-at-all-the-people-buying-into-it lie.
>
> Fundamentally, CableCards don't have to be about DRM.  If the channels
> are flagged as Copy-Freely, then CableCards provide conditional
> access, which isn't the same as DRM.  It's only when Copy-Once or
> Copy-Never content gets involved that you get into DRM territory.

True. I wasn't saying cablecards were DRM, but a still "voodoo" to a lot of local offices...
to which, when it doesn't work - the people being paid to provide it to you are completely unhelpful.

The cable card just worked into the whole mixed up concept of "DRM" which is control. We so easily give control up when we can just say "no" and then eventually someone will offer us something we want when all others have gone out of business or suffered heavy losses.

I like to tell people --- "It's TV, not the end of the world. You'll live without... and have more money in your pocket."

Just say no to DRM control. (A new mantra. ;) )