[mythtv-users] I may have SOLVED the 5C cable encryption - DOH!

[Calin Brabandt]

> On 5/10/07, Michael T. Dean
<mtdean at thirdcontact.com> wrote:
> > Wouldn't it only be illegal if the analog
standard-definition
versions
> > of these were also encrypted?  I'm pretty sure
they're legally
allowed
> > to encrypt all digital signals, and though
many--including the
EFF--are
> > trying to get the FCC to expand the rules
preventing encryption of
> > analog rebroadcast of analog OTA to include
digital rebroadcast of
> > digital OTA signals, the FCC has not yet done so.
> >
> > As far as the STB goes, it must have the
interface, but the reg
doesn't
> > say it must pass only unencrypted data through it.
 I see this as two
> > unrelated requirements, but then again, I'm not a
lawyer.
> >
> > Mike

> IANAL but from what I understand you are correct,
but I think there is
> an existing requirement that analog broadcast of
free ota channels in
> the area be unencrypted.

> There are 2 requirements, the first is that all STBs
have a working
> firewire port that passes unencrypted data through
it and meets
> various requirements of the ANSI/SCTE standard.
> The second is that they must send free OTA channels
without
> encryption.  Maybe I'm wrong on that point but from
what I have read
> that is true, and that is the opinion of the 1394TA
as well.

Yes, this is correct.  There are two applicable parts
in the regs.  § 76.630 may not help--depending on
what the cable provider provides under "basic service"
and what you are trying to record.  

§76.1904(a), below, definitely means HD locals may
not be encrypted.

There's been much discussion on this subjet at
www.avsforums.com over the years.  In general, the
cable-co's are clueless.  Sometimes in our favor and
sometimes against us.  Regarldess, short of a class
action lawsuit, it's tough to get them to do anything!
 Comcast has been encrypting PBS and NBC HD for the
last year or so here in Portlan, OR.  Despite my
repeated calls to customer service, I just get a
constant run-around.  

Comcursed: "We provide the same content we get from
KGW and KOPB--they must be encrypting it."  

Me: "The QAM-256 is in the clear on the cable.  The
service screen on my DCT-6200 says those channels are
5c/"copy once" and that's encryption!  The STB (you)
are adding the encryption!  Arrghhh!"

Comcursed: "You'll have to make a written inquiry that
 can be reviewed by our legal department."

Me: "You're in violation of FCC regs--plain and
simple.  I'd rather just return my STB and remote
control and cancel everything but basic service." 
(Tucks Fusion QAM / ATSC PCI card deeply into back
pocket ;))

Good luck with your provider.  If anyone knows of a
class action against Comcursed, I'm in!

-Cal

From:
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?type=simple;c=ecfr;cc=ecfr;sid=73e4c54edd07684fe19cccf7a1107f9b;idno=47;region=DIV1;q1=basic%20cable;rgn=div6;view=text;node=47%3A4.0.1.1.4.23

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR)

e-CFR Data is current as of May 8, 2007


Title 47: Telecommunication
PART 76—MULTICHANNEL VIDEO AND CABLE TELEVISION
SERVICE 

§ 76.630 Compatibility with consumer electronics
equipment.

(a) Cable system operators shall not scramble or
otherwise encrypt signals carried on the basic service
tier. Requests for waivers of this prohibition must
demonstrate either a substantial problem with theft of
basic tier service or a strong need to scramble basic
signals for other reasons. As part of this showing,
cable operators are required to notify subscribers by
mail of waiver requests. The notice to subscribers
must be mailed no later than thirty calendar days from
the date the request waiver was filed with the
Commission, and cable operators must inform the
Commission in writing, as soon as possible, of that
notification date.....

§ 76.1904   Encoding rules for defined business
models.

(a) Commercial audiovisual content delivered as
unencrypted broadcast television shall not be encoded
so as to prevent or limit copying thereof by covered
products or, to constrain the resolution of the image
when output from a covered product.

§ 76.1902(s)  Definitions. Unencrypted broadcast
television means the retransmission by a covered
entity of any service, program, or schedule or group
of programs originally broadcast in the clear without
use of a commercially-adopted access control method by
a terrestrial television broadcast station regardless
of whether such covered entity employs an access
control method as a part of its retransmission.




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