Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Build Your Own TV Without Broadcast Flags

Posted by Zonk on from the conscientious-objector dept.

doom writes "An account of an event sponsored by the EFF, a "roll your own television" build-in. The San Francisco Bay Guardian has coverage in an article entitled Build Your TV!". From the article: "According to the FCC, the flag is going to ease the nation's transition from today's analog televisions to tomorrow's high-definition televisions. What exactly does it mean for a government agency to "ease" the transition from one kind of TV signal to another? In this case, it seems to mean making the entertainment industry feel very warm and fuzzy inside." The EFF's efforts against the flag have been covered before on Slashdot.

3 of 283 comments (clear)

  1. We've seen this before... by Kimos · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This flag is going to be like any copy protection that we've seen to date. Those who want to steal will just get around it, and those who don't steal will be extremely inconvenienced.

  2. Because they won't give up. by jimbro2k · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Just like software patents in Europe, the forces behind this (well-funded forces) will not give up until they succeed in implementing the lockdown of all media. A court ruling is just a minor speedbump in the process.
    In Europe, even after near-unanamous votes against software patents, they are still about to become reality.
    The court merely ruled that the FCC did not have the implicit authority to order the flag. All that is needed is a lay giving the FCC the explicit authority. That kind of law is easy to purchase.

    --
    There is not nearly enough love in the world, but there is far too much trust.
  3. Re:I hope that's all it means by shotfeel · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Except neither one of us should be required to spend time and money to bypass something that shouldn't be there anyway. We all know the flag will do nothing to slow down "piracy", its only purpose is to give the industry more control.

    For example, take the DVD player. The other day I wanted to show something to one of my kids quick as we were on our way out to return the DVD's we had rented. Put in the DVD and the usual junk starts up, so I...

    Hit fast foreware : Operation not permitted.
    Hit the "Next Chapter" button : Operation not permitted.

    We were out of time, my wife was hollering at us to get going...

    Hit the Stop button : Operation not permitted.

    ??? You mean I'm not even allowed to Stop playing, I have to watch it???

    Fortunately the MPAA can't yet override the power button on the front of the player.

    Yes, I have the hardware and software that would allow me to rip a DVD, strip it of all the crap, and burn a "perfect" copy to a blank DVD-R disk. But I shouldn't have to do that just to enjoy a movie the way I want to.