[mythtv-users] DISH Receivers and external HDDs

[Brad DerManouelian]

On Apr 12, 2008, at 1:58 PM, Brian Wood wrote:

> On Apr 12, 2008, at 2:53 PM, Robert Johnston wrote:
>>>
>>> You're telling me I need a license to store an mpeg stream (that I
>>> have already paid for) on a hard drive?
>>>
>>> As I said: Greed.
>>
>> The license is not to store an mpeg stream, it's to pay for the use  
>> of
>> the MPEG decoder patent owned by Frauhofner Institute (FhG). Same way
>> MP3 encoders are supposed to pay FhG for the use of their patented
>> code. LAME gets around this by not distributing an executable, and
>> thus not actually using the code (All the LAME binaries are
>> self-compiled or compiled by a 3rd party source that doesn't care
>> about such legalities).
>
> I am already using the decoder in the receiver. If I add additional
> storage via their $40 external drive feature I am still using the same
> decoder for the same programs.
>
> I admit I haven't read Frauhofner's license, but I find it hard to
> believe the terms change depending on how and where I store the mpeg
> stream.
>
> I understand the mpeg licensing, probably better than most, but I do
> not think it has anyhting to do with this $40 charge.
>
> If I believed the $40 was being passed on to Frauhofner I'd happily
> pay it, but I doubt that is the case.

It's associated with the device, not the stream. You're essentially  
adding an mpeg decoder to your PC when you activate this service.  
After all, they are giving you software to access the stream from an  
extra device now.