[mythtv-users] Re: recording HD content

[Brad Templeton]

On Wed, May 04, 2005 at 11:10:01AM -0400, Joseph A. Caputo wrote:
> Now I'm confused... are you saying that the cable co. is allowed to 
> encrypt or downres firewire output even for 'broadcast equivalent' 
> channels, and that only the raw QAM signal for such channels must be 
> available in the clear?
> 

Dunno about down-res, but they are allowed (and expected to) use the
DTCP (5C) protocol on the 1394 port in the cable box.   This protocol
has the cable box talk to the receiving end and confirm that it also
speaks DTCP, which only happens if it has pledged not to let the
content out.

So Tivo could get a DTCP licence, for example, so that the set top box
will send the data out over 1394 for the Tivo.  That's because Tivo will
have promised not to let the user get at the data -- to store it on disk
encrypted, to not send it out except via analog ports or to other DTCP
devices (including 1394/DTVLink equipped TVs.)

Problem is Myth can't get a DTCP licence.  So it won't be able to
convince the cable box to trust it and send the data.

Right now the cable boxes aren't doing this, so enjoy it while we can!
But the law, as we understand it, doesn't forbid them from doing it.

Not that the cable companies themselves are all that keen to do it.  It's
the studios that insist they will not let the cable companies have their
movies if they don't do it, though they are probably not telling the
truth when they insist this.

Since the Djinni is out of the bag already with thousands of pre-BF
ATSC cards, it's possible they might not care so much on the broadcast
channels.   However, it is probably false to hope that your cable box
will continue to spit out HBO-HD to any device, in the clear.