[mythtv-users] Firewire no longer required on HD STBs

Yeechang Lee ylee at pobox.com
Thu Jul 1 00:50:44 UTC 2010


Simon Hobson <linux at thehobsons.co.uk> says:
> was it actually usable for anything useful ? I mean looking at it
> from the TV manufacturers point of view - was it worth the effort of
> implementing it if they still had to connect the box via
> HDMI/Component/Something to show channels not available via FireWire
> ?

Cable boxes with FireWire make all subscribed channels available. What
we call "encrypted" in this context is actually 5C, a form of DRM that
only 5C-enabled devices can view. All TVs and other media devices with
FireWire, such as digital VCRs, are 5C-compliant so can view 5C-marked
channels automatically; only hobbyists like us, who can't get the 5C
DRM keys, are blocked by it.

-- 
MythTV FAQ Q: "Cheap frontend/backend?" A: Revo, $200-300 @ Newegg
Q: "Record HD cable/satellite?" A: Hauppauge HD-PVR, $200 @ Newegg
Q: "Can't change Live TV channels w/multirec!" A: Hit NEXTCARD key
More answers @ <URL:http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/>


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