[mythtv-users] CableCard Chain.

Gary Buhrmaster gary.buhrmaster at gmail.com
Wed Jul 25 01:37:25 UTC 2012


On Wed, Jul 25, 2012 at 1:01 AM, Chuck Peters <cp at ccil.org> wrote:
> On Tue, Jul 24, 2012 at 8:42 PM, Saul A. Peebsen <jaglover at gmail.com> wrote:
...
>> Open source.
>
>
> That really doesn't explain it.

Correct.  There are many open source licenses.  Some allow more
"flexibility" than others.

> Tivo uses GPLv2 with Linux and is certified by CableLabs

And TiVo provides their kernel sources.

What they do not provide is the code to their app and "protected
path" implementations.  And since it is just running on the kernel,
they do not have to (under GPLv2 rules).

While it is not impossible to imagine that one could, in theory,
use some hardware encryption technology to ensure that the
path was completely encrypted from CableCARD to HDCP
compliant video card, that would essentially make the app
a Windows Media Extender or another TiVo.  It would, in
essence, strip most of the Mythical out of the MythTV solution.

Oh, and did someone mention that that certification would
probably cost closer to a quarter million dollars, and that
any change to the app requires re-certification (at a lower
cost as long as the change is considered minor, but still
real money).

Gary


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