FCC to allow encryption of basic cable

[Skybolt]

Originally Posted by darcilicious

... So I fail to see what any of that hat got to with the statement "Soon the OTA will not be free any longer ..." other than a misplaced sense of "the sky is falling".

Wow, ok. But yes, I was referenceing that. A little toung and cheek, as in whats next ...

[darcilicious]

Originally Posted by Skybolt

Wow, ok. But yes, I was referenceing that. A little toung and cheek, as in whats next ...

LOL, sorry, I didn't catch that nuance at all! It's all good

[Skybolt]

Originally Posted by darcilicious

LOL, sorry, I didn't catch that nuance at all! It's all good

NP , This really impacts alot of the Sage Comunity I would think. If this requires a new tuner type "The Sky is Falling" may be a true statement for some.

[rochurch]

I typically record 2 QAM streams at one time. So now I need to get an antenna put up. Less convenient than QAM, but now I will have less cable splits and a higher quality picture.

[tvmaster2]

in simple terms, will it now be impossible to record to analog devices like VCR's and Series 2 Tivos with this new rule change by the FCC, without attaching a piece of cable company rental equipment?

[stanger89]

So there's two parts, for NTSC channels, I don't see any change, you can't really encrypt those, this is (as I gather) all about digital, so those should work just as they do now.

As far as analog outputs go (HD PVR, S-Video SD recording, etc) I don't see this changing that either.

Now regarding the first point, it's possible it could encourage providers to eliminate analog now/sooner, but who knows. Tiki had a good point that I'd forgotten about, this is basically formalizing a policy that's been in effect for a while now.

Personally my cableco offers all the HD channels (save the movie ones) clear, and advertises it that way, probably as a way to distinguish them from their competitor. I don't really see this changing their policy any time soon. And beyond that if they don't flag stuff Copy Once, then you can still use Sage+SageDCT.

[valerio]

TO: rochurch

The way I solved the TWC rebooting the cable box situation is to use firewire for channel changing. Now before a channel is changed the interface checks that the box is on and if not it turns it on and then changes the channel.

Only problem is that it only works with a 32-bit OS since the drivers for this setup are old and were never ported to 64-bit.

[darcilicious]

Originally Posted by stanger89

Personally my cableco offers all the HD channels (save the movie ones) clear, and advertises it that way, probably as a way to distinguish them from their competitor.

And it's worth keeping in mind that this ruling doesn't REQUIRE that cable companies encrypt the local channels that they carry, just that they can. I rather doubt that my cable company will bother...

[Tiki]

Originally Posted by darcilicious

Right. Now they'll be able to encrypt locals.

Are you sure about that?
I think this is only about "basic cable" channels (e.g. TNT, USA, AMC, History, etc.). I don't think it applies to the free local over the air channels that the cable companies are rebroadcasting (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CW, PBS, etc.). But maybe I'm misunderstanding?

[darcilicious]

You're talking about analog channels right? Because my cable system has never had analog channels and everything but local channels has always been encrypted. And that's well within the rules.

What's changing is the fact that local channels that are sent in the clear, digitally (clear QAM) can now be encrypted.

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by Tiki

Are you sure about that?
I think this is only about "basic cable" channels (e.g. TNT, USA, AMC, History, etc.). I don't think it applies to the free local over the air channels that the cable companies are rebroadcasting (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CW, PBS, etc.). But maybe I'm misunderstanding?

From page 13 of the PDF from the FCC (emphasis added):

We intend that this requirement will provide an opportunity for affected consumers to make informed choices about whether to purchase a CableCARD-compatible device, lease a set-top box from their cable operator, or use another method to access the broadcast and other channels carried on the basic service tier (for example, by accessing the signals over-the-air or via another MVPD). As we explained in the Encryption NPRM, such an opportunity will minimize the impact of encryption on clear-QAM users by offering a transition period during which they can continue to access the basic tier without an additional equipment charge while they consider their options for device compatibility.

In this section, we identify the small class of subscribers that encryption may affect and adopt two categories of measures to protect those subscribers: transitional equipment requirements and notice requirements.

[Fuzzy]

I, personally, never understood why the FCC has any jurisdictions over private communication networks (which is what cable carriers are). They should be able to do whatever they want, in my mind. If you don't like the service they provide, don't buy it. That is YOUR choice.

That said, I'm glad my sagetv system is based on getting around encryption, instead of working with it.

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

That said, I'm glad my sagetv system is based on getting around encryption, instead of working with it.

Couldn't agree more.

[drewg]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

I, personally, never understood why the FCC has any jurisdictions over private communication networks (which is what cable carriers are). They should be able to do whatever they want, in my mind. If you don't like the service they provide, don't buy it. That is YOUR choice.

They are not really private, they have government granted monopolies and a government granted right-of-way across my property, whether I want them there or not. In return, they get regulated.

I personally feel that local governments should stop giving these company's rights-of-way, and even nationalize (localize?) the last-mile infrastructure and rent bandwidth to providers; then we might see some competition.

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

That said, I'm glad my sagetv system is based on getting around encryption, instead of working with it.

No argument here!

Drew

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by drewg

They are not really private, they have government granted monopolies and a government granted right-of-way across my property, whether I want them there or not. In return, they get regulated.

I personally feel that local governments should stop giving these company's rights-of-way, and even nationalize (localize?) the last-mile infrastructure and rent bandwidth to providers; then we might see some competition.



No argument here!

Drew

That's not entirely accurate. While yes, they DO have government granted right-of-way, that is granted by local AHJ's, NOT the FCC. The FCC doesn't have jurisdiction over private communication lines which can also get local right-of-way. The only way the FCC has been able to get into the cable business was in them 'allowing' them to reproduce the licensed signals of the broadcast television systems, which, like all government regulations, is quite a bit of a stretch.

[MattHelm]

Originally Posted by Tiki

Are you sure about that?
I think this is only about "basic cable" channels (e.g. TNT, USA, AMC, History, etc.). I don't think it applies to the free local over the air channels that the cable companies are rebroadcasting (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CW, PBS, etc.). But maybe I'm misunderstanding?

Most cable companies have what I call Basic-Basic. These are just the "local" over the and maybe a few others. What you are talking is what most PEOPLE call basic cable.

This new rule applies to ALL channels carried by ALL digital Cable Companies. (which most are switching to)

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by MattHelm

Most cable companies have what I call Basic-Basic. These are just the "local" over the and maybe a few others. What you are talking is what most PEOPLE call basic cable.

This new rule applies to ALL channels carried by ALL digital Cable Companies. (which most are switching to)

Another thing to keep in mind, is WHY the FCC is 'allowing' them to encrypt the entire stream. It is to combat theft of service, not theft of content. This is something they had already done in NYC, to allow the companies to ensure they get paid for services (the broadcast of the local channels+), without having to constantly check that connection's where fitted with the proper filters. With an encrypted system, they can easily control access from the head end.

[MattHelm]

I'm just glad my dad already has a tower. I'll just move his (and mine) HDHR's to the antenna, and turn the locals off on the Ceton card after I hook it up. That'll give him 12 channels to record football on all weekend!!! (if I can keep him from rotating the antenna) I think I can live on a ceton card.

[panteragstk]

I used QAM when I first got TWC internet. It lasted until the first regulation football game when the networks that carried the NFL "mysteriously" disappeared. PQ was worse than OTA, but it was easier. Once they turned them off I moved my antenna to it's current position and no longer have any issues. No locals on my DTV so I can free up the few tuners I have for other stuff.

[Tiki]

Originally Posted by darcilicious

You're talking about analog channels right? Because my cable system has never had analog channels and everything but local channels has always been encrypted. And that's well within the rules.

What's changing is the fact that local channels that are sent in the clear, digitally (clear QAM) can now be encrypted.

No, actually I was thinking about QAM channels. Comcast got rid of the few remaining analog channels about a year ago by me, but they kept the locals available via unencrypted QAM. They require DTA (Digitial Tuning Adapter) or full-blown set top box for everything else.

Since they got rid of the analogs, they will give you up to 2 of the DTA's at no charge (for now). The DTA's do not support any HD channels, nor do they handle on-demand, PPV, or premium channels like HBO. They get all of the "basic" tier non-HD channels and some of the "expanded-tier" non-HD channels. The DTA's connect to your TV via coax and you must tune your TV to channel 3 or 4 (like in the old VCR days) to use them (they don't support any other connection type).

I see from Skirge01's post that the FCC document does seem to suggest that the local broadcast channels may be encrypted now too - that really sucks! I guess that answers my original question.