[mythtv-users] Major networks HD encrypted by cable company?

[Steven Adeff]

On 11/29/06, John P Poet <jppoet at gmail.com> wrote:
> I spent a week at my sister's house for thanksgiving.  While there I
> setup a Myth box which included a HDHomeRun.  Unfortunately, I ended
> up bring to HDHR back home with me.
>
> It turns out that her local cable company is encrypting *all* HD
> channels, including the major networks (ABC, NBC, PBS).  She cannot
> easily receive anything OTA, so cable is the best option.  None of the
> houses in her area have antennas, so either reception is impossible,
> or there is some neighborhood covenant restricting them.
>
> I was pretty sure that the FCC forbids encrypting of the major
> networks, but was unable to find a document to back that up.  Does
> anyone know if that is right?  Are cable companies allowed to encrypt
> the major networks?

only the analog OTA broadcasts, they are allowed to encrypt OTA HDTV
for rebroadcast on their cable lines. Whats odd, is that they actually
do it, the extra cost is quite silly. But if its true that you can't
get the channels via antenna, they may to it to prevent people from
"stealing" the OTA channels off the line without paying for some sort
of HD package. Welcome to the world of FCC regulated cable...

-- 
Steve
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