More on the Effect of Digital TV

EyesWideOpen writes "Here is an interesting article at Wired which mentions that existing DVR devices (Tivo, ReplayTV) aren't equipped to handle the digital TV signal that broadcasters are scheduled to start delivering in 2006. Also mentioned is a proposal being considered by the FCC that would allow cable companies to 'turn off' the firewire port, which DVR's will use to connect to digital televisions, so that some broadcasts can't be recorded. The proposal is being considered no doubt in response to fears like that of MPAA head Jack Valenti who has said that without proper security measures, the industry won't allow its movies to be broadcast because they don't want viewers to record 'perfect copies' of movies."

Comments

Will TV still exist by 2006?

[SpanishInquisition]

I think not.

Re:Only in America...

[Reality Master 101]

Congress' role is to protect the rights of the people, not Jack Valenti's paycheck.

Guess what, Jack Valenti (and the people he represents) are just as much citizens as "the people".

As an aside, I'm also going to take from your post that you oppose the rights of people to have access to VCRs, audio tapes, Xerox machines, or pens, since they can all be used for, and have been used for, "stealing" from "creators."

[skipping a whole lot of stuff that basically boil down to the last sentence] Why can't people read an entire post, rather than just pick out and choose from what I say to come to the opposite conclusion of what I'm saying?

Let me quote myself: "Now, if you want to limit your criticism to stating that this is the WRONG WAY to prevent piracy and criticising the prevention of copying for personal use, then I'm with you."

The point is that Congress represents ALL THE PEOPLE, no matter how rich they are (!!), not just people who want to rip-off things. But apparently you think that rich people shouldn't have any rights because they are rich.