[mythtv-users] Okay, slow down, HDTV idiot here...

[Michael T. Dean]

Doug Larrick wrote:

> J. Donavan Stanley wrote:
>
>> Michael T. Dean wrote:
>>
>>> But, don't worry.  Your cable or satellite company will surely offer 
>>> you some specialized (=proprietary) equipment that provides 1/10 the 
>>> capabilities of Myth for only a "small" monthly fee...  ;)
>>
>> Or they'll provide a firewire output port like the FCC told them to...
>
> Which will be required, by the broadcast flag rules, to be encrypted.

Almost.  Although the broadcast flag does not require encryption of the 
content output through the Firewire port, it does state that when 
"protected content" is output on a non-secure digital connection (i.e. 
DVI-D or Firewire), the resolution must be reduced to 480i/p.  A secure 
digital connection MUST encrypt the content and preserve the broadcast 
flag, but need not change the resolution.  An analog output may provide 
full resolution without encryption.  (Currently, it looks like valid 
secure transmission formats will initially include DTCP, CPRM, HDCP, and 
D-VHS.)

Therefore, if you buy an HDTV cable set-top box with a firewire port, 
you'll be able to record NTSC-quality TV!!! (Or, at best, DVD-quality 
TV.)  You'll be able to record content in 720x480 instead of the 
1920x1080 or 720x1280 for which you paid/are paying.

Note, also that, regarding PVR's, the FCC has said, "Programmes 
containing a broadcast flag must be stored in an approved encrypted 
format and must retain the flag while stored and during playback.  
Although content can be marked as 'copy never', 'copy once' and so on, 
the worst case situation 'copy never' will still allow up to 90 minutes 
of buffering such as when a user presses pause during a protected 
pay-per-view movie."

"Copy never."  "Copy once."  That kind of language sends shivers down my 
trigger finger.  (Just joking...)

Mike