Comments on: Thomas Giovanetti: Victim of DRM http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/ Keeping politicians' hands off the Net & everything else related to technology Fri, 25 May 2012 13:24:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: short url http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-33108 short url Wed, 20 Dec 2006 10:19:25 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-33108 <p>b014af7fabe0 Nice site http:/0zu.tw/ short url</p> b014af7fabe0 Nice site http:/0zu.tw/ short url

]]> By: short url http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-52062 short url Wed, 20 Dec 2006 10:19:25 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-52062 <p>b014af7fabe0 Nice site http:/0zu.tw/ short url</p> b014af7fabe0 Nice site http:/0zu.tw/ short url

]]> By: Joe http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-52061 Joe Sat, 22 Apr 2006 08:15:23 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-52061 <p>Yes, as Ed says, at some point the data comes out; on my PVR it's video or S-video + L/R stereo audio. This can be run into the computer, edited as required and then burn a dvd. Or, as in this case for the kid to learn spanish: record onto videocassetes; and the quality is more than adequate for this purpose. At present dvd blanks have become cheaper than cassettes: everyday about 40 cents each in stacks/100 @ costco and nearly every week less, at a store running a sale.<br><br>Yes, the DMCA enthusiast has had a nice comeuppance, but don't count on it to improve his brain functions, even with filter chips installed.<br><br>As to the politicians, a good slogan is <strong><em>DON'T RE-ELECT ANYBODY!</em></strong> I perversely am hoping gas will hit $6-10 / gallon this summer, raising the "pain index" to a point where the people will finally THROW THE BUMS OUT in November.<br><br>Cheers.</p> Yes, as Ed says, at some point the data comes out; on my PVR it’s video or S-video + L/R stereo audio. This can be run into the computer, edited as required and then burn a dvd. Or, as in this case for the kid to learn spanish: record onto videocassetes; and the quality is more than adequate for this purpose. At present dvd blanks have become cheaper than cassettes: everyday about 40 cents each in stacks/100 @ costco and nearly every week less, at a store running a sale.

Yes, the DMCA enthusiast has had a nice comeuppance, but don’t count on it to improve his brain functions, even with filter chips installed.

As to the politicians, a good slogan is DON’T RE-ELECT ANYBODY! I perversely am hoping gas will hit $6-10 / gallon this summer, raising the “pain index” to a point where the people will finally THROW THE BUMS OUT in November.

Cheers.

]]> By: Ed http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-52060 Ed Sat, 22 Apr 2006 07:37:37 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-52060 <p>It all comes down to this: At some point the data comes out of the whiney boys' spigot and into your brain unencrypted, at which point you can record the daylights out of it, before, during or after it hits your brain, until of course they start installing filter chips in your brain!!!! But of course yoou won't remember this because....</p> It all comes down to this: At some point the data comes out of the whiney boys’ spigot and into your brain unencrypted, at which point you can record the daylights out of it, before, during or after it hits your brain, until of course they start installing filter chips in your brain!!!! But of course yoou won’t remember this because….

]]> By: Joe http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-33107 Joe Sat, 22 Apr 2006 07:15:23 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-33107 <p>Yes, as Ed says, at some point the data comes out; on my PVR it's video or S-video + L/R stereo audio. This can be run into the computer, edited as required and then burn a dvd. Or, as in this case for the kid to learn spanish: record onto videocassetes; and the quality is more than adequate for this purpose. At present dvd blanks have become cheaper than cassettes: everyday about 40 cents each in stacks/100 @ costco and nearly every week less, at a store running a sale.</p> <p>Yes, the DMCA enthusiast has had a nice comeuppance, but don't count on it to improve his brain functions, even with filter chips installed.</p> <p>As to the politicians, a good slogan is <strong><em>DON'T RE-ELECT ANYBODY!</em></strong> I perversely am hoping gas will hit $6-10 / gallon this summer, raising the "pain index" to a point where the people will finally THROW THE BUMS OUT in November.</p> <p>Cheers.</p> Yes, as Ed says, at some point the data comes out; on my PVR it’s video or S-video + L/R stereo audio. This can be run into the computer, edited as required and then burn a dvd. Or, as in this case for the kid to learn spanish: record onto videocassetes; and the quality is more than adequate for this purpose. At present dvd blanks have become cheaper than cassettes: everyday about 40 cents each in stacks/100 @ costco and nearly every week less, at a store running a sale.

Yes, the DMCA enthusiast has had a nice comeuppance, but don’t count on it to improve his brain functions, even with filter chips installed.

As to the politicians, a good slogan is DON’T RE-ELECT ANYBODY! I perversely am hoping gas will hit $6-10 / gallon this summer, raising the “pain index” to a point where the people will finally THROW THE BUMS OUT in November.

Cheers.

]]> By: Ed http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-33106 Ed Sat, 22 Apr 2006 06:37:37 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-33106 <p>It all comes down to this: At some point the data comes out of the whiney boys' spigot and into your brain unencrypted, at which point you can record the daylights out of it, before, during or after it hits your brain, until of course they start installing filter chips in your brain!!!! But of course yoou won't remember this because....</p> It all comes down to this: At some point the data comes out of the whiney boys’ spigot and into your brain unencrypted, at which point you can record the daylights out of it, before, during or after it hits your brain, until of course they start installing filter chips in your brain!!!! But of course yoou won’t remember this because….

]]> By: Vuarra http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-52059 Vuarra Fri, 21 Apr 2006 17:19:03 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-52059 <p>I'm glad that Canada does not have DRM. Even though my American STB is not making it easy for me to back up programs (you all do remember the VHS libraries that people used to have?), I can still do it - legally.<br><br>Why do you Americans elect politicians who remove your constitutionally-guaranteed rights? Should that trend continue, there would be no difference between the future USA and the former USSR.</p> I’m glad that Canada does not have DRM. Even though my American STB is not making it easy for me to back up programs (you all do remember the VHS libraries that people used to have?), I can still do it – legally.

Why do you Americans elect politicians who remove your constitutionally-guaranteed rights? Should that trend continue, there would be no difference between the future USA and the former USSR.

]]> By: Vuarra http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-33105 Vuarra Fri, 21 Apr 2006 16:19:03 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-33105 <p>I'm glad that Canada does not have DRM. Even though my American STB is not making it easy for me to back up programs (you all do remember the VHS libraries that people used to have?), I can still do it - legally.</p> <p>Why do you Americans elect politicians who remove your constitutionally-guaranteed rights? Should that trend continue, there would be no difference between the future USA and the former USSR.</p> I’m glad that Canada does not have DRM. Even though my American STB is not making it easy for me to back up programs (you all do remember the VHS libraries that people used to have?), I can still do it – legally.

Why do you Americans elect politicians who remove your constitutionally-guaranteed rights? Should that trend continue, there would be no difference between the future USA and the former USSR.

]]> By: Dennis http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-52058 Dennis Fri, 21 Apr 2006 09:17:16 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-52058 <p>I have a DVD r/w Philips which I cannot use now as Comcast has changed the FIRMWARE on their HDTV desktop boxes..and now I find they have done the same on the OLDER ones.<br><br>they kill the data stream from the PBS station that updates the TV guide built into the device,so you end up with a dead on arival TV guide you cannot use it ..NO station info and no setting recording times,so you cannot USE IT to record programs! What Happened to FAIR USE!<br><br>this is WRONG! My DVD recorder is now a $300 doorstop! because the movie guy,s don,t want me recording movies,BUT I don,t Have Showtime,HBO,etc! so WHY me!<br><br>Dennis</p> I have a DVD r/w Philips which I cannot use now as Comcast has changed the FIRMWARE on their HDTV desktop boxes..and now I find they have done the same on the OLDER ones.

they kill the data stream from the PBS station that updates the TV guide built into the device,so you end up with a dead on arival TV guide you cannot use it ..NO station info and no setting recording times,so you cannot USE IT to record programs! What Happened to FAIR USE!

this is WRONG! My DVD recorder is now a $300 doorstop! because the movie guy,s don,t want me recording movies,BUT I don,t Have Showtime,HBO,etc! so WHY me!

Dennis

]]> By: Dennis http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-33104 Dennis Fri, 21 Apr 2006 08:17:16 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-33104 <p>I have a DVD r/w Philips which I cannot use now as Comcast has changed the FIRMWARE on their HDTV desktop boxes..and now I find they have done the same on the OLDER ones.</p> <p>they kill the data stream from the PBS station that updates the TV guide built into the device,so you end up with a dead on arival TV guide you cannot use it ..NO station info and no setting recording times,so you cannot USE IT to record programs! What Happened to FAIR USE!</p> <p>this is WRONG! My DVD recorder is now a $300 doorstop! because the movie guy,s don,t want me recording movies,BUT I don,t Have Showtime,HBO,etc! so WHY me!</p> <p>Dennis</p> I have a DVD r/w Philips which I cannot use now as Comcast has changed the FIRMWARE on their HDTV desktop boxes..and now I find they have done the same on the OLDER ones.

they kill the data stream from the PBS station that updates the TV guide built into the device,so you end up with a dead on arival TV guide you cannot use it ..NO station info and no setting recording times,so you cannot USE IT to record programs! What Happened to FAIR USE!

this is WRONG! My DVD recorder is now a $300 doorstop! because the movie guy,s don,t want me recording movies,BUT I don,t Have Showtime,HBO,etc! so WHY me!

Dennis

]]> By: A. Reader http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-52057 A. Reader Fri, 21 Apr 2006 03:02:31 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-52057 <p>What I do not understand is why most people appear as if they will go into withdrawal or die if they do not get their daily video/audio media fix. People should simply refuse to put up with all the DRM/ads/costs associated with all current media devices and content. Quit watching TV and home movies, quit buying audio CD's, quit paying crazy prices for cable and dish channels, quit using cell phones, quit playing video games. Start going for walks, reading, enjoy family outings, go to traditional movie theaters for an occational movie, get excercise, do yard work, go shopping, get a real hobby... experience real life and quit wasting time and money on media based pastime. It's not good for you, it's expensive, it pays money to corporate thieves, it's a waste of life.</p> What I do not understand is why most people appear as if they will go into withdrawal or die if they do not get their daily video/audio media fix. People should simply refuse to put up with all the DRM/ads/costs associated with all current media devices and content. Quit watching TV and home movies, quit buying audio CD’s, quit paying crazy prices for cable and dish channels, quit using cell phones, quit playing video games. Start going for walks, reading, enjoy family outings, go to traditional movie theaters for an occational movie, get excercise, do yard work, go shopping, get a real hobby… experience real life and quit wasting time and money on media based pastime. It’s not good for you, it’s expensive, it pays money to corporate thieves, it’s a waste of life.

]]> By: A. Reader http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-33103 A. Reader Fri, 21 Apr 2006 02:02:31 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-33103 <p>What I do not understand is why most people appear as if they will go into withdrawal or die if they do not get their daily video/audio media fix. People should simply refuse to put up with all the DRM/ads/costs associated with all current media devices and content. Quit watching TV and home movies, quit buying audio CD's, quit paying crazy prices for cable and dish channels, quit using cell phones, quit playing video games. Start going for walks, reading, enjoy family outings, go to traditional movie theaters for an occational movie, get excercise, do yard work, go shopping, get a real hobby... experience real life and quit wasting time and money on media based pastime. It's not good for you, it's expensive, it pays money to corporate thieves, it's a waste of life.</p> What I do not understand is why most people appear as if they will go into withdrawal or die if they do not get their daily video/audio media fix. People should simply refuse to put up with all the DRM/ads/costs associated with all current media devices and content. Quit watching TV and home movies, quit buying audio CD’s, quit paying crazy prices for cable and dish channels, quit using cell phones, quit playing video games. Start going for walks, reading, enjoy family outings, go to traditional movie theaters for an occational movie, get excercise, do yard work, go shopping, get a real hobby… experience real life and quit wasting time and money on media based pastime. It’s not good for you, it’s expensive, it pays money to corporate thieves, it’s a waste of life.

]]> By: John http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-52056 John Fri, 21 Apr 2006 00:04:02 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-52056 <p>I would have to say that he firmly believes that his fecal matter is rather fragrant and pleasing. I rip DVD's because I have a daughter who likes to load the DVD player. This way a $30 Disney movie is not ruined but a $2 DVD-R. I do the same for audio cds. Back-ups, data redundancy, disaster recovery are terms any technologically wise individual is well aware of and a firm supporter of. So why stop at backing up a HDD? Back-up everything mulitple times that way you will always have it. Thats something that is becoming increasing more difficult to do. If I spent the money to buy why should I have to buy it again when it gets scratched or cracked? That is most definately what back-ups are for.</p> I would have to say that he firmly believes that his fecal matter is rather fragrant and pleasing. I rip DVD’s because I have a daughter who likes to load the DVD player. This way a $30 Disney movie is not ruined but a $2 DVD-R. I do the same for audio cds. Back-ups, data redundancy, disaster recovery are terms any technologically wise individual is well aware of and a firm supporter of. So why stop at backing up a HDD? Back-up everything mulitple times that way you will always have it. Thats something that is becoming increasing more difficult to do. If I spent the money to buy why should I have to buy it again when it gets scratched or cracked? That is most definately what back-ups are for.

]]> By: John http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-33102 John Thu, 20 Apr 2006 23:04:02 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-33102 <p>I would have to say that he firmly believes that his fecal matter is rather fragrant and pleasing. I rip DVD's because I have a daughter who likes to load the DVD player. This way a $30 Disney movie is not ruined but a $2 DVD-R. I do the same for audio cds. Back-ups, data redundancy, disaster recovery are terms any technologically wise individual is well aware of and a firm supporter of. So why stop at backing up a HDD? Back-up everything mulitple times that way you will always have it. Thats something that is becoming increasing more difficult to do. If I spent the money to buy why should I have to buy it again when it gets scratched or cracked? That is most definately what back-ups are for.</p> I would have to say that he firmly believes that his fecal matter is rather fragrant and pleasing. I rip DVD’s because I have a daughter who likes to load the DVD player. This way a $30 Disney movie is not ruined but a $2 DVD-R. I do the same for audio cds. Back-ups, data redundancy, disaster recovery are terms any technologically wise individual is well aware of and a firm supporter of. So why stop at backing up a HDD? Back-up everything mulitple times that way you will always have it. Thats something that is becoming increasing more difficult to do. If I spent the money to buy why should I have to buy it again when it gets scratched or cracked? That is most definately what back-ups are for.

]]> By: Goldenpi http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-52055 Goldenpi Thu, 13 Apr 2006 22:14:39 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-52055 <p>Early Tivos were unencrypted - they used a propritary, undocumented filesystem.<br><br>After information became available on how to read this filesystem, encryption was added. All tivos manufactured before a certain date are non-encrypted, all those after are encrypted.</p> Early Tivos were unencrypted – they used a propritary, undocumented filesystem.

After information became available on how to read this filesystem, encryption was added. All tivos manufactured before a certain date are non-encrypted, all those after are encrypted.

]]> By: Goldenpi http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-33101 Goldenpi Thu, 13 Apr 2006 21:14:39 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-33101 <p>Early Tivos were unencrypted - they used a propritary, undocumented filesystem.</p> <p>After information became available on how to read this filesystem, encryption was added. All tivos manufactured before a certain date are non-encrypted, all those after are encrypted.</p> Early Tivos were unencrypted – they used a propritary, undocumented filesystem.

After information became available on how to read this filesystem, encryption was added. All tivos manufactured before a certain date are non-encrypted, all those after are encrypted.

]]> By: 'dillo http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-52054 'dillo Thu, 13 Apr 2006 19:21:55 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-52054 <p>I'm looking at my sympathy meter and it's barely even twitching. I would say he's on the receiving end of exactly what he's asked for.</p> I’m looking at my sympathy meter and it’s barely even twitching. I would say he’s on the receiving end of exactly what he’s asked for.

]]> By: 'dillo http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-33100 'dillo Thu, 13 Apr 2006 18:21:55 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-33100 <p>I'm looking at my sympathy meter and it's barely even twitching. I would say he's on the receiving end of exactly what he's asked for.</p> I’m looking at my sympathy meter and it’s barely even twitching. I would say he’s on the receiving end of exactly what he’s asked for.

]]> By: VoxLuna http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-52053 VoxLuna Thu, 13 Apr 2006 17:21:40 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-52053 <p>Looks like karma's making its rounds...</p> Looks like karma’s making its rounds…

]]> By: VoxLuna http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-33099 VoxLuna Thu, 13 Apr 2006 16:21:40 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-33099 <p>Looks like karma's making its rounds...</p> Looks like karma’s making its rounds…

]]> By: Oustet http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-52052 Oustet Thu, 13 Apr 2006 07:26:07 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-52052 <p>lolz owned</p> lolz owned

]]> By: Oustet http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-33098 Oustet Thu, 13 Apr 2006 06:26:07 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-33098 <p>lolz owned</p> lolz owned

]]> By: Tim http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-52051 Tim Thu, 13 Apr 2006 01:31:29 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-52051 <p>I discuss the relationship between TiVo and CableCard in my <a href="http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=6025" rel="nofollow">Cato paper.</a> That section is largely based on <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2005/04/14/the-clicker-cablecard-and-opencable/" rel="nofollow">this excellent column</a>. The upshot is that there are third-party DVRs, but they're subject to very restrictive CableCard rules that renders them little different from the set-top boxes the cable industry offers. I'd be willing to bet money (although I don't have time to slog through several hundred pages of documentation to find out for sure) that the CableCard standard doesn't permit backups to third-party hard drives.</p> I discuss the relationship between TiVo and CableCard in my Cato paper. That section is largely based on this excellent column. The upshot is that there are third-party DVRs, but they’re subject to very restrictive CableCard rules that renders them little different from the set-top boxes the cable industry offers. I’d be willing to bet money (although I don’t have time to slog through several hundred pages of documentation to find out for sure) that the CableCard standard doesn’t permit backups to third-party hard drives.

]]> By: Matt V. http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-52050 Matt V. Thu, 13 Apr 2006 01:25:00 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-52050 <p>I don't think the data on a Tivo is encrypted, since I know there is a way to pull shows off the HD onto a PC, so maybe Dish's DVR is the same.<br><br><br>I don't think DRM is going to make 3rd party DVRs illegal, look at Tivo's Series 3 DVR, which will have HD recording when they finally release it. Tivo got a license for CableCard slots and Cable Labs recently approved their DVR.<br><br>What DRM is going to kill is DIY PC-based HD DVRs. PC companies are not to going to be able sell PCs with CableCard slots without approval from Cable Labs. And the Newegg's of the world will not be allowed to sell CableCard slots on PCI cards. I'm also guessing reverse engineering a CableCard system to work with Linux is going to be a non-trivial project.</p> I don’t think the data on a Tivo is encrypted, since I know there is a way to pull shows off the HD onto a PC, so maybe Dish’s DVR is the same.


I don’t think DRM is going to make 3rd party DVRs illegal, look at Tivo’s Series 3 DVR, which will have HD recording when they finally release it. Tivo got a license for CableCard slots and Cable Labs recently approved their DVR.

What DRM is going to kill is DIY PC-based HD DVRs. PC companies are not to going to be able sell PCs with CableCard slots without approval from Cable Labs. And the Newegg’s of the world will not be allowed to sell CableCard slots on PCI cards. I’m also guessing reverse engineering a CableCard system to work with Linux is going to be a non-trivial project.

]]> By: John L. http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-52049 John L. Thu, 13 Apr 2006 01:11:44 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-52049 <p>Many Dish Network PVRs include a USB port for backing up and viewing video on a proprietary device, PocketDish which itself is protected by DRM.<br><br>See <a href="http://www.pocketdish.com/">http://www.pocketdish.com/</a></p> Many Dish Network PVRs include a USB port for backing up and viewing video on a proprietary device, PocketDish which itself is protected by DRM.

See http://www.pocketdish.com/

]]> By: Tim http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-33097 Tim Thu, 13 Apr 2006 00:31:29 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-33097 <p>I discuss the relationship between TiVo and CableCard in my <a href="http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=6025" rel="nofollow">Cato paper.</a> That section is largely based on <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2005/04/14/the-clicker-cablecard-and-opencable/" rel="nofollow">this excellent column</a>. The upshot is that there are third-party DVRs, but they're subject to very restrictive CableCard rules that renders them little different from the set-top boxes the cable industry offers. I'd be willing to bet money (although I don't have time to slog through several hundred pages of documentation to find out for sure) that the CableCard standard doesn't permit backups to third-party hard drives.</p> I discuss the relationship between TiVo and CableCard in my Cato paper. That section is largely based on this excellent column. The upshot is that there are third-party DVRs, but they’re subject to very restrictive CableCard rules that renders them little different from the set-top boxes the cable industry offers. I’d be willing to bet money (although I don’t have time to slog through several hundred pages of documentation to find out for sure) that the CableCard standard doesn’t permit backups to third-party hard drives.

]]> By: Matt V. http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-33096 Matt V. Thu, 13 Apr 2006 00:25:00 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-33096 <p>I don't think the data on a Tivo is encrypted, since I know there is a way to pull shows off the HD onto a PC, so maybe Dish's DVR is the same.</p> <p>I don't think DRM is going to make 3rd party DVRs illegal, look at Tivo's Series 3 DVR, which will have HD recording when they finally release it. Tivo got a license for CableCard slots and Cable Labs recently approved their DVR.</p> <p>What DRM is going to kill is DIY PC-based HD DVRs. PC companies are not to going to be able sell PCs with CableCard slots without approval from Cable Labs. And the Newegg's of the world will not be allowed to sell CableCard slots on PCI cards. I'm also guessing reverse engineering a CableCard system to work with Linux is going to be a non-trivial project.</p> I don’t think the data on a Tivo is encrypted, since I know there is a way to pull shows off the HD onto a PC, so maybe Dish’s DVR is the same.

I don’t think DRM is going to make 3rd party DVRs illegal, look at Tivo’s Series 3 DVR, which will have HD recording when they finally release it. Tivo got a license for CableCard slots and Cable Labs recently approved their DVR.

What DRM is going to kill is DIY PC-based HD DVRs. PC companies are not to going to be able sell PCs with CableCard slots without approval from Cable Labs. And the Newegg’s of the world will not be allowed to sell CableCard slots on PCI cards. I’m also guessing reverse engineering a CableCard system to work with Linux is going to be a non-trivial project.

]]> By: John L. http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-33095 John L. Thu, 13 Apr 2006 00:11:44 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-33095 <p>Many Dish Network PVRs include a USB port for backing up and viewing video on a proprietary device, PocketDish which itself is protected by DRM.</p> <p>See http://www.pocketdish.com/</p> Many Dish Network PVRs include a USB port for backing up and viewing video on a proprietary device, PocketDish which itself is protected by DRM.

See http://www.pocketdish.com/

]]> By: Tim http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-52048 Tim Wed, 12 Apr 2006 14:39:39 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-52048 <p>I think it's a safe bet that the content on his DVR is encrypted. Which means that if a third party were to sell a product that modified the Dish device to backup the shows, that probably would be circumvention under the DMCA.<br><br>Another thing he could have done is to purchase a third-party DVR (or build his own), except that we're fast approaching a world in which all digital video devices have DRM from the coax cable/satellite dish to the TV. That means that in the near future, third party PVRs will effectively be illegal, at least if you want to watch the shows in high definition. That's because any device that accesses the digital data stream without getting a license from the satellite company will be "circumventing" the DRM scheme.<br><br>So it's possible that the DMCA isn't directly responsible for Mr. Giovanetti's fate--it's hard to say without knowing more about the details of the device in question. However, what is clear is that the DMCA has prevented people from doing very similar things. For example, the DMCA has <a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/02/23/judge_bans_dvd_x_copy/" rel="nofollow">banned</a> DVD X Copy, a utility for home duplication of DVDs. I don't see any essential difference between making a personal backup copy of one's DVD library, and making a personal backup copy of the TV shows on one's PVR.</p> I think it’s a safe bet that the content on his DVR is encrypted. Which means that if a third party were to sell a product that modified the Dish device to backup the shows, that probably would be circumvention under the DMCA.

Another thing he could have done is to purchase a third-party DVR (or build his own), except that we’re fast approaching a world in which all digital video devices have DRM from the coax cable/satellite dish to the TV. That means that in the near future, third party PVRs will effectively be illegal, at least if you want to watch the shows in high definition. That’s because any device that accesses the digital data stream without getting a license from the satellite company will be “circumventing” the DRM scheme.

So it’s possible that the DMCA isn’t directly responsible for Mr. Giovanetti’s fate–it’s hard to say without knowing more about the details of the device in question. However, what is clear is that the DMCA has prevented people from doing very similar things. For example, the DMCA has banned DVD X Copy, a utility for home duplication of DVDs. I don’t see any essential difference between making a personal backup copy of one’s DVD library, and making a personal backup copy of the TV shows on one’s PVR.

]]> By: Tim http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/comment-page-1/#comment-33094 Tim Wed, 12 Apr 2006 13:39:39 +0000 http://techliberation.com/2006/04/11/thomas-giovanetti-victim-of-drm/#comment-33094 <p>I think it's a safe bet that the content on his DVR is encrypted. Which means that if a third party were to sell a product that modified the Dish device to backup the shows, that probably would be circumvention under the DMCA.</p> <p>Another thing he could have done is to purchase a third-party DVR (or build his own), except that we're fast approaching a world in which all digital video devices have DRM from the coax cable/satellite dish to the TV. That means that in the near future, third party PVRs will effectively be illegal, at least if you want to watch the shows in high definition. That's because any device that accesses the digital data stream without getting a license from the satellite company will be "circumventing" the DRM scheme.</p> <p>So it's possible that the DMCA isn't directly responsible for Mr. Giovanetti's fate--it's hard to say without knowing more about the details of the device in question. However, what is clear is that the DMCA has prevented people from doing very similar things. For example, the DMCA has <a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/02/23/judge_bans_dvd_x_copy/" rel="nofollow">banned</a> DVD X Copy, a utility for home duplication of DVDs. I don't see any essential difference between making a personal backup copy of one's DVD library, and making a personal backup copy of the TV shows on one's PVR.</p> I think it’s a safe bet that the content on his DVR is encrypted. Which means that if a third party were to sell a product that modified the Dish device to backup the shows, that probably would be circumvention under the DMCA.

Another thing he could have done is to purchase a third-party DVR (or build his own), except that we’re fast approaching a world in which all digital video devices have DRM from the coax cable/satellite dish to the TV. That means that in the near future, third party PVRs will effectively be illegal, at least if you want to watch the shows in high definition. That’s because any device that accesses the digital data stream without getting a license from the satellite company will be “circumventing” the DRM scheme.

So it’s possible that the DMCA isn’t directly responsible for Mr. Giovanetti’s fate–it’s hard to say without knowing more about the details of the device in question. However, what is clear is that the DMCA has prevented people from doing very similar things. For example, the DMCA has banned DVD X Copy, a utility for home duplication of DVDs. I don’t see any essential difference between making a personal backup copy of one’s DVD library, and making a personal backup copy of the TV shows on one’s PVR.

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