[mythtv-users] OT: FCC adopts 'plug and play' cable for TVs

[Joseph A. Caputo]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org
> [mailto:mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org]On Behalf Of Christopher Carde
> Sent: Friday, September 12, 2003 3:12 PM
> To: 'Discussion about mythtv'
> Subject: RE: [mythtv-users] OT: FCC adopts 'plug and play' cable for TVs
>
>
> Hello,
>
> I believe the standard being proposed is "OpenCable"
> (http://www.opencable.cm/). I had an interesting email exchange with
> some of the people involved in OpenCable regarding the hypothetical
> viability of an open-source OpenCable implementation. There are some
> interesting issues that, as far as I can tell, would prevent any open
> source implementation from succeeding. First, let me relay some of the
> more interesting points I've learned. This information is all available
> in the specifications and other documents on OpenCable's site:
>

[snip lots of details]

>
> OpenCable Security Specification
> http://www.opencable.com/downloads/specs/OC-SP-SEC-I02-030707.pdf
>
> Copy Protection in Digital Cable Systems
> http://www.opencable.com/downloads/BrobergNCTA2001.pdf
>
> POD-Host Interface License Agreement
> http://www.opencable.com/downloads/PHILA_080103.pdf
>
> Getting on my soapbox for a minute, it's a darned shame that things had
> to come to this. From a purely technological perspective, this
> specification could have lead to an industry-leading open-source
> implementation of a Linux-based cable television terminal / PVR. But yet
> again, due to DRM issues, the field will yet again be limited to major
> commercial players.
>
> Chris


Very interesting, and disappointing... however, you never know how things
will play out.  There are certainly a few large players in the commercial
PVR space that would lobby hard to get OpenCable-supported cards for PCs...
among them Tivo, ReplayTV (are they still around?), and most notably and
biggest of all... Microsoft.  Yes, the beast from Redmond will have a vested
interest in PC-cable interoperability as they promote their WinXP
MediaCenter.  Of course, they'll find a way to lock it down, I'm sure, but
remember... it ain't over 'till the fat lady sings.

-JAC