AVerTVHD A180 PCI Card

[SethV]

I'm looking at upgrading everything to HD. When I look into the details for the Tuner card that is recommended, I keep running into something that may or maynot be an issue. There are 2 versions of this card, one made before June 05 and the other after. Near as I can tell, the only difference is something called a flag chip.

From what I can find out, this chip will prevent the recording of "protected" shows. Is this something that needs to be addressed or is this a none issue?

Thanks,

[stanger89]

Where are you finding two versions of it? I'm not aware of more than one.

[salsbst]

I believe I saw some old marketing document from Aver that specifcally pointed out that the version they were selling lacked broadcast flag support. It was meant to say, "hey, buy me, I will never honor the broadcast flag".

Since the rule was struck down before it was to go into effect, I don't believe any HD card manufacturer has enabled broadcast flag restrictions on their cards.

[stanger89]

There's a blurb on their page mentioning it, but it appears to be from before the BS flag, and since the BS Flag was smacked down by "The Court" , I doubt it's an issue.

[sleonard]

The courts didn't rule on the BF until near the time it was going to take effect.

I'm just guessing but it was probably too close and the manufacturers already had the BF compliant designs in the manufacturing pipeline. With Congress making noise about introducing new BF legislation (written for them by Hollywood lawyers) so soon after the Court ruling, it seems to me that the manufacturers would be real hesitant to change their whole "pipeline" back to non BF compliant designs.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if the cards being sold today had the ability to be BF compliant if (when?) the flag is ever implemented.

*Disclaimer - The important words in the previous statement were "I'm just guessing". I have no inside info, have done no research, and have no sources. I'm just making inferences and logical deductions from some limited knowledge of electronics HW manufacturing processes and the length of the times involved in those processes.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by sleonard

The courts didn't rule on the BF until near the time it was going to take effect.

I'm just guessing but it was probably too close and the manufacturers already had the BF compliant designs in the manufacturing pipeline.

I really question how many designs that is, I somewhat expected PC tuners to dry up after that date.

[SethV]

Guys, thanks for the input.

1.
As someone mentioned, I saw it on thier web site. I also saw it being advertised on eBay...of course they wanted more money for it.

2.
I was unaware of the law change that makes this a moot point.

Again, THANKS for the input.

[stanger89]

Yeah, you have to read carefully, it doesn't say there are two versions, just that (when they put the site together) any cards manufactured after the BS Flag date would have to support it.