Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Open Cable Standard Not So Open

Posted by Hemos on from the locking-down-your-settop dept.

Mike Hicks writes "A few days ago, I heard about the FCC approving new rules for standardizing digital cable in the US. This involved using a set top box or tuner integrated into a TV along with a smart card (much like digital satellite services). Unfortunately, it looks like the standard (believed to be OpenCable) is meant to tightly control the hardware and software that can be used, probably making any open-source implementation very difficult if not impossible. I seem to be having a case of deja vu"

9 of 244 comments (clear)

  1. Easily circumvented by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    with a Captain Crunch whistle blown directly into the infrared port of the TV.

  2. Re:Well, duh... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Dear Cable Industry,

    We the "hacker" community (not crackers, it's important, look it up, DUH) wish to run "Linux" on set top boxes we cobble together from cereal boxes and old PCs people have thrown in the garbage. We promise we'll be honest and only decode the channels we're paying for. Honest. We had nothing to do with the satellite descramblers and smart card programmers stuff. :)

    Love, Slashdot

  3. Hemos? by linuxislandsucks · · Score: 3, Funny

    There is in fact an opensource implementation..

    its more than what you read in that its a move towards HAVi-DVB-DHP an iTV set of apis..

    Sun in fact asked the FCC to make it a requirement that the bigest cable operator that bought DirectTV to accept the standard as part of the acceptance of the DirectTV buyout as part of FCC normal powers..

    I believe there are two Linux projects dealign with both this standard and itv but I have forgotten the project names..

    --
    Don't Tread on OpenSource
  4. humbug by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    I don't need open source on my TV. I already run Linux on my GE ice maker, BSD on my microwave, and GNU Turd in my watercloset.

  5. ok, so what by Xaoswolf · · Score: 3, Funny
    Why does everything have to be opensource?

    I mean, it's cable fucking TV, so they want you to buy a TV for it to work...

    whoop-ti-shit

    I'd love to see how some of you people live. I can picture it now. I'd walk in to the kitchen, see a mesh of coat hangers with some bread stuck to them jammed into an electric socket. I'd ask what the hell it was and recieve the reply, "Oh, that's my Open Source Toaster"

    --
    Xaotik Designs
    1. Re:ok, so what by SETIGuy · · Score: 2, Funny
      I'd love to see how some of you people live. I can picture it now. I'd walk in to the kitchen, see a mesh of coat hangers with some bread stuck to them jammed into an electric socket. I'd ask what the hell it was and recieve the reply, "Oh, that's my Open Source Toaster"

      Well, I wouldn't NEED a damn open source toaster if the license agreement on my closed source toaster didn't prevent me from using anything but "Wonder Bread(TM)."

      --
      Support SETI@home
  6. Re:On most cable networks by the_pooh_experience · · Score: 3, Funny
    Analgo boxes weren't designed to be open either.

    I suppose it is a technicality, but they were designed to be open(ed), that is why there were those screws on the box (usually phillips-head, part of your standard hacking so-called "toolbox", right next to your now anti-DMCA "wire-cutters".

    But they were not intented to be open by the consumer (hense that sticker that says "warrantee void is seal broken" over the part that comes off after you use that phillips-head screw driver). And they swear it is a saftey issue (maybe falling under patriot act?) because there are those evil capacitors under there.

  7. It's "Open" in a "Dell" sort of way by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Check list for open systems:
    (x) Intel
    (x) Microsoft

    Using similar reasoning I'm sure Michael would agree OpenCable is open too.

  8. Re:Actually Piracy is... by Inexile2002 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Shiver me timbers! I'm aware of the common use of the fine word ye bilge rat. I'm just saying that, as a pirate, you diminish my trade by likening me to the scurvy land-lubbers who steal software.

    I don't mind people calling common software theives "a pirate", but the next son of a port whore who asks me for a copy of LoTR:TTT will walk the plank. If you need some cargo stolen, I'm yer man but I don't burn DVDs.

    And if you're going to steal software, at least do me and the sea dogs a favor and get yer self an eye patch, buy a monkey or a parrot and maybe lop of a limb or two. We pirates gots an image, matey.

    AARRRRR!.