[NTLUG:Discuss] HDTV card for Linux

[Steve Baker]

lonny.dahl at verizon.com wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> So, basically, this will outlaw open source because we won't be able to see
> the flags themselves?  I'm not sure I follow how this will outlaw open
> source software in relation to this.
> 
> Doesn't Tivo run on Linux now?  If it does, will Tivo have to come up with
> a different operating system to use for their boxes when the law kicks in
> since Linux is open source?  And what's to stop someone from hacking the
> broadcast flag illegally anyway?  It happens all the time with satellite
> tv...people reprogramming the access cards to open up whatever programming
> they want....it's not WIDESPREAD, but I've known people who have done it.

I think it's a major problem for Tivo.  If they put in code to somehow
get them legal with the broadcast flag then they'll pretty much have to
integrate it into the kernel in a DRM-like fashion - then they'll fall
foul of the GPL if they don't release the sources.

Very tricky.

People will obviously try to hack the broadcast flag just as they did
with the DVD CSS code.  I think that whilst the DeCSS code is more or
less legal, hacking the broadcast flag would be a clear violation of
the DMCA.

The days of being able to watch TV on a Linux box are numbered I think.

We're probably also prevented from watching the new blue laser DVD's for
similar reasons.

I certainly plan to build myself a Tivo-like system (using Freevo or one
of the other OpenSource PVR's) before all of this nonsense kicks in...but
is it going to be the case that you'll be able to decode the new HDTV
signals if your decoder is built pre-broadcast flag?   I kinda got the
impression that those systems will simply be obsolete when the encryption
is turned on.

---------------------------- Steve Baker -------------------------
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