Didn't the old and now failed USDTV have some encrypted channels? And I thought there was also some new (but announced) startup that operated similarly but also used the Internet in addition to ATSC sub-channels. Something with a big hard drive but I don't remember the name or details.
I tend to avoid purchasing encrypted pay channels because I'm cheap and also usually cannot then use them to view on my computer driven system due to the copy protection. But I don't really have anything against them in principle. Like advertising supported material (or a mix of both) I think they fit in a valid business model.
- Tom John Willkie wrote:
to pick a nit, the only restriction on over the air broadcasters in the U.S. is that they transmit a single a/v channel (at least equivalent to an NTSC channel in quality) in the clear. They can transmit any other virtual channels encrypted. I don't think anyone in the U.S. is using ATSC to transmit encrypted a/v content. Encrypted content, or non-advertiser supported content, invokes payment of 5% of net revenues for that service to the U.S. government. The relevance of this distinction might be illustrated in practice in the not-so-distant future. John Willkie -----Original Message-----From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx> Sent: Jun 28, 2008 5:03 AM To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [opendtv] Re: MPAA wants to stop DVRs from recording some movies At 9:53 PM -0400 6/27/08, Albert Manfredi wrote:The only restriction on FTA broadcasts is that they be delivered in the free and clear. The Betamax decision did not say that copy protection is not allowed, only that using the VCRfor time shifting was a non infringing use.> You know, sort of like locking your car. No one is allowedIn this climate of proud and deliberate, peristent, obtuseness, I should not have used the above analogy.to steal stuff from your car, or steal the car itself. That does NOT mean that car manufacturers don't need to install locks, however. They should, definitely.My intention was merely to say that the problem of unlawful copy protection can be attacked at both ends. At the FOTA broadcaster or content owner's end (supply), copy protection is not allowed. Period.But that DOES NOT mean that CE manufacturers have to trust the supply end to do what's lawful. Since there are simple means to make the system work as the courts intend, CE vendors should use those simple means. No need to trust the other guy to be doing the right thing, in this case.Or restated, you are NOT "circumventing" a copy protection mechanism, since such mechanism does not, or more accurately should not, by law, exist.Can you show me anything that says that broadcasters CANNOT invoke a regimen that restricts copying of a program?The real issue is whether they can force the manufacturers of downstream devices to honor any attempts to restrict copying. They tried with the Broadcast Flag, but lost because the courts ruled that the FCC does not have the authority to regulate how devices that are used to view broadcasts deal with this issue.. Note, tat they can regulate some aspects of what a TV receiver is, thanks to the All Channel Receiver Act, which gave them the authority to require HF and now ATSC receivers in a device.Regards Craig ---------------------------------------------------------------------- You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways:- Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at FreeLists.org- By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line.----------------------------------------------------------------------You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways:- Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at FreeLists.org- By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line.
-- Tom Barry trbarry@xxxxxxxxxxx ---------------------------------------------------------------------- You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways:- Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at FreeLists.org
- By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line.
