[mythtv-users] Record from Comcast HD DTAs?

[Gary Buhrmaster]

On Sat, Oct 5, 2013 at 4:17 PM, Peter Bennett (cats22)
<cats22 at comcast.net> wrote:
...
> I see that now. But if we are talking about basic level service, i.e.
> broadcast channels, I wonder why Comcast would apply DRM to them. It is not
> saving them from rolling out trucks.

Actually it does, but mostly irrelevant for the rest of my response.

> Are they going to collect a fee from
> manufacturers? Are comcast being required to do this by the broadcast
> channels or somebody else? It seems this interface replaces the firewire
> which never had DRM and allows access to not only basic but also encrypted
> cable channels,

But you need an authorized STB, and MythTV can record only
content marked copy freely.  One at a time.  There is nothing
(today) which prevents you from requesting a Firewire STB
(at whatever Comcast charges for it), just like yesterday.

> in fact all of the channels that the DTA's can get. I
> thought Comcast were in favor of helping the users of mythtv and similar
> systems.

TTBOMK Comcast is agnostic regarding MythTV.  Comcast *has*
chosen to offer most content as "copy freely" after being decoded
via a CableCard.  You are completely free to purchase a CableCard
enabled OCUR device (i.e. Ceton, HDHR Prime, alternatives.)
They are not helping (nor hindering) you to do what you could
do for quite some time now regarding CableCard enabled devices.

E-DTAs are a CableLabs standard, implemented in response to
the "Boxee" requirement for the FCC waiver.  As a standard, it
had to meet all the requirements of *all* MSOs, and content
protection is a requirement.  DTCP-IP was the chosen solution
(it was quick, it was easy, and it was already standardized for
content protection, and it is (mostly) agreed upon as the long
term solution for the "connected" household by the MSOs).
While there is no technical reason that the E-DTA could not
offer some channels via an unencrypted stream, that would
have complicated things, and Boxee would have had to
implement DTCP-IP anyway, so why complicate things?
[I will point out that the HDHR Prime offers unencrypted dlna
streams for "copy freely" content, and requires DTCP-IP for
"copy once" content but requires different content roots
are how they present it, which is a complication.  Anyway,
a proof by example it can be done.]  The E-DTAs meet the
requirements (although now that Boxee is essentially
disappeared, it is not clear it matters any more.)

Note that while it does not help you regarding the purchase
price of your OCUR recorder, but as a "transition", Comcast
has offered 1/2 free CableCards (for a limited time) for customers
who had only subscribed to limited basic.  The rules/regs
are complicated.  Read the Comcast info carefully that is
referenced on your bill.

Now, long term, things get more interesting. Comcast clearly
wants to go pure IP delivery, with the interim converged head
ends (and their X1 to be followed by their X2 platform). At the
point where they want to move to a pure IP solution, Comcast
(and other MSOs) will ask to eliminate the CableCard
requirement.  As a compromise, they will likely have to offer
something equivalent.  It seems likely that unencrypted DLNA
will be that answer, but I have not been watching the
CableLabs site for the latest standards.

In any event, in regards to todays E-DTAs, and MythTV,
I think the Westley said it best.  "Get used to disappointment."

Gary