[mythtv-users] Cablecard spec change undermining CCI Copy Freely flags

[Ronald Frazier]

On Thu, Aug 21, 2014 at 4:08 PM, Eric Sharkey <eric at lisaneric.org> wrote:

> On Thu, Aug 21, 2014 at 3:57 PM, Gary Buhrmaster
> <gary.buhrmaster at gmail.com> wrote:
> > On Thu, Aug 21, 2014 at 2:09 PM, Michael T. Dean
> > <mtdean at thirdcontact.com> wrote:
> > ...
> >> I know Hauppauge had to go to CableLabs for permission for the change.
> I
> >> found http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/542876#542876
> , but
> >> can't find any more specific info.
> >
> > Since I was the one that posted that comment, I believe I
> > used the wrong words (i.e. it was misleading).  I believe
> > that SD modified the code to ignore the cgms value IFF
> > (if and only if) the CCI flag was set to copy freely/unrestricted.
> > A CCI of not-specified still required cgms respect.
>
> I thought that was part of the spec, not a change.  As Ron put it:
>
>   ..cablecard copy proection is a hierarchy, where CCI flags will
>    override CGMS flags. When a CCI 0x00 flag is present, it will
>    override any CGMS flags.
>
> Are you saying that wasn't part of the design of CCI from the beginning?
>


Notice that thread was from April of last year. That thread is about
something different than what we are talking about here. To be clear.

1) The previous cablelabs specification required that CCI flags, when
present, will override CGMS flags.
2) The device in that discussion (and note, I'm not clear from that thread
which brand of device it was) had a bug*** which caused it to honor CGMS
protection even when there was a CCI flag that should have overrode it.
3) The specification has now recently been changed. I got some confirmation
from Ceton on this fact. And to be clear, my previous statement was
technically incorrect. When CCI Copy Free is seen, the cablecard does not
say it's CCI none...it just doesn't say anything about the CCI at all.
Technically different, but effectively I think it has the same result.


***yes, it's possible it may not be a bug so much an an intended
functionality based on their interpretation. However, since every bit of
documentation up until now had indicated CCI overrides other the DRM
schemes, and all the other devices (up until now) have implemented things
that way, and apparently that device was even changed, that's close enough
to consider it a bug to me (maybe not a coding bug, but a legal
interpretation "bug").



-- 
Ron Frazier
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