[mythtv-users] Re: recording HD content

[Joseph A. Caputo]

On Wednesday 13 April 2005 0:51, Brad Templeton wrote:
> On Tue, Apr 12, 2005 at 05:27:08PM -0700, Ian Forde wrote:
> > On Tue, 2005-04-12 at 16:16 -0700, John Sturgeon wrote:
> > > Ian Forde wrote:
> > http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/110105?
> > search_string=Ian%20firewire%20caputo;#110105
> > 
> > And the specific FCC regulation we were talking about is available 
> > at 
> > http://makunu.com/browse/show/37812
> > 
> > Besides, the broadcast flag wasn't part of the topic (in my mind, at
> > least) until you brought it up...
> 
> Indeed, you're both right that the broadcast flag is not directly
> germane as it applies to broadcast digital TV and this is a regulation
> on cable providers, but I believe you are missing the fact that this
> is part of an equivalent set of regulations that mirror the effect of
> the broadcast flag in the cable world.   You will find the regulation 
> you 
> cite above loaded with copy protection rules.   As I read it, the 
> rules 
> are not out to give plain old computers like MythTV access to in the 
> clear 
> HD streams over 1394.

Incorrect.  The FCC regs explicitly state that any device advertised as 
"digital cable ready" or "digital cable compatible" must have an 
enabled 1394 port (unless grandfathered), and must output the 
unmodified digital stream for any broadcast-equivalent signal over said 
port.  That means if you can get NBC-HD OTA, then if your digital cable 
provider carries the same NBC-HD station, they must output the 
unencrypted HD stream for that station over firewire.  They may not 
"down-resolution" the content for OTA equivalent stations, either.

-JAC