[mythtv-users] NTSC, ATSC, QAM & device clarifications

[James Miller]

On Sat, 21 Feb 2015, Eric Sharkey wrote:

> Those were for OTA only.  For cable, you need to get one from your
> cable provider.
>
> No, that's not correct.  There's no DRM on the analog output of either
> an STB or DTA.  You can re-digitize it just fine.  This is sometimes
> referred to as "the analog hole" since the trip from digital to analog
> and back to digital removes the DRM.

Thanks for the clarification, Eric. That's what I suspected--namely, that 
without a cable-company-supplied/registered device (with accompanying 
rental cost), there will be no viewing/recording of content. So the 
"analog hole," which could otherwise work for me since I am not fixated on 
HD, could only be taken advantage of by renting TWC (in my case) 
equipment. If there's not something I could buy for a one-time cost to do 
this with, I won't be interested. And I doubt there would be since I 
helped a couple residents of my complex install and set up their 
cable-company-supplied devices and realize there is a registration 
process. No doubt they will only register/authorize equipment supplied by 
them.