[mythtv-users] The Death of MythTV in the US?

[Brian Wood]

On Mar 31, 2008, at 6:04 PM, Michael T. Dean wrote:
>>
>>    So, the idea that cable companies get some sort of protection out
>> of the STB is enough to make an experienced user die of laughter.
>
> In the '70's there was no DMCA.  The protection isn't in the tech,  
> it's
> in the legislation (and may get even worse in the future).

The idea that renting boxes to subscribers is a "revenue stream" is  
very new, and not universally accepted.

In the "old days" what were know as "converters" were a royal PIA to  
cable companies. They had to purchase them, maintain them, inventory  
them, tote them around town, chase after them from subs who had moved,  
prevent subs from breaking into them and generally have to deal with  
them.

They were a necessary evil as they were the only way to be able to  
carry more than 12 channels, but they were not liked, at all.

Nowadays the business types probably consider them a "good thing" as  
they generate revenue,  but I suspect the technical types still  
consider them a Royal PIA.

I also suspect the DRM and other "security" measures are mandated by  
the program suppliers, and if the cable operators had their way they  
would simply run a wire into the home and be done with it.

Of course the line between the cable operators and the program  
suppliers is getting very blurry, but there are still factions within  
those monstrous corporations.

beww