DRM?

[pat_smith1969]

I just started my eval of Sage adn have a question about DRM?

Since I am not using MCE anymore and preferr to use either the Sage TV viewer or Theater Tek as a movie viewer does this mean that I am pretty much immune from DRM? If I use SAGE does that mean that when they start really using the DRM features (like deleting a recording after it is watched once) I will not fall victim to these rules?

[pat_smith1969]

So.. 114 people have looked at this an not replied.. so I think I shoudl explain myself further...

With MCE, if I record a program on PC A I will (could) have issues watching that program on PC B because of DRM. If I use SageTV and Theater Tek I get around this problem?

Honestly I really don't think I am doing anything wrong here. I just want to set it up so that no matter where in the house I record a TV show I can watch it anywhere else. The show doesnt even leave the house.

or is this topic "Taboo" and I shouldnt even ask the question for fear of Scully, Mulder, and the Cigarette man coming and arresting me?

[GKusnick]

I don't know anything about TheaterTek, but I don't see why Sage would prevent you from watching something on another TV in your house via SageTVClient or a SageTV-branded Media Extender. If you're worried about it, why not download a trial copy of SageTVClient and see what happens?

As to what may happen with DRM in the future, I don't think anybody's in a position to guarantee you'll never have any issues along those lines.

[ke6guj]

Yes, currently Sage has no "DRM features" that would prevent you from using your recordings as you see fit. It records in standard mpeg1 or mpeg2 formats which have no DRM.

As for the future, as Vista matures and CableCard devices hit the market, Sage may be forced to make changes, but nobody knows what that may be, if at all.

[Pretzelboy]

Out of curiosity I looked up TheaterTek to see what it is. Save your money. They're charging you $70 for a software DVD player and multichannel audio processing codecs. Just get yourself PureVideo. It's a lot cheaper and you can just use Sage to play your DVDs. PureVideo is mentioned here a lot.

[corykim]

Originally Posted by pat_smith1969

I just started my eval of Sage adn have a question about DRM?

Since I am not using MCE anymore and preferr to use either the Sage TV viewer or Theater Tek as a movie viewer does this mean that I am pretty much immune from DRM? If I use SAGE does that mean that when they start really using the DRM features (like deleting a recording after it is watched once) I will not fall victim to these rules?

Yes, and no. SageTV does not impose any DRM of its own, but also will not play anything that is itself protected with DRM. For example, there is no supported way to record or play back encrypted QAM content with Sage. So, where MCE might impose restrictions on certain encrypted content, Sage would not play it at all.

[pat_smith1969]

Originally Posted by Pretzelboy

Out of curiosity I looked up TheaterTek to see what it is. Save your money. They're charging you $70 for a software DVD player and multichannel audio processing codecs. Just get yourself PureVideo. It's a lot cheaper and you can just use Sage to play your DVDs. PureVideo is mentioned here a lot.

I like TT because it directly supports the remote control. I tried ZoomPlayer and with that you had to install GridIron (or whatever it is called) so it could support a remote control. I found the additional remote software minorly complex and majorly a pain in the arse.

With TT I simply install it and it works (after you get MCE or Sage to use it properly).

I will look into this PureVideo and see what it does.

[bbroerman]

Will the Sage developers openly tell us if they are forced to impose DRM restrictions in future releases? How committed is the staff / management to fighting these sorts of restrictions in the software?

That said, I have been using SageTV since the 2.0 release, and I am committed to using it for as long as it is here... unless... they start imposing DRM restrictions such as not allowing place shifting, automatic deletion of files, or encryption of the files. Any of these would seriously deter my usage.


-Brad

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by pat_smith1969

I like TT because it directly supports the remote control. I tried ZoomPlayer and with that you had to install GridIron (or whatever it is called) so it could support a remote control. I found the additional remote software minorly complex and majorly a pain in the arse.

Sage works natively with remote too, plays DVDs, and if you use the nVidia PureVideo decoders, produces exactly the same image (same decoders).

I will look into this PureVideo and see what it does.

nVidia PureVideo decoder is the audio/video decoder at the heart of TheaterTek.

Originally Posted by Pretzelboy

They're charging you $70 for a software DVD player and multichannel audio processing codecs. Just get yourself PureVideo.

Except the nVidia PureVideo decoders won't do multichannel audio processing in anything but MCE, WMP, or the included nStant Media app, no matter what version you buy. If you need multichannel audio decoding from nVidia's decoders, you need to get TT with the advanced audio pack, which doesn't have that limitation on the decoders (it's decoders can be used in Sage).

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by bbroerman

Will the Sage developers openly tell us if they are forced to impose DRM restrictions in future releases?

I would expect so, I don't see why not. That's not something you want to surprise your customers with.

How committed is the staff / management to fighting these sorts of restrictions in the software?

No idea, but if I were running Sage, I'd avoid it for as long as it's not hurting the product/support. It's unclear how long one will be able to avoid adding "content protection" mechanisms.

A couple of prime examples:
CableCard
HD DVD
Blu-ray
DirecTV (future)

Sage won't be able to support any of those without adding "content protection" mechanisms. How long can they get away without supporting those?

That said, I have been using SageTV since the 2.0 release, and I am committed to using it for as long as it is here... unless... they start imposing DRM restrictions such as not allowing place shifting, automatic deletion of files, or encryption of the files. Any of these would seriously deter my usage.

Unfortunately, if Sage goes down that road, I think you're screwed as far as finding an alternative that doesn't have similar restrictions.