A cable box doesn't need to be open source... But, when you look at what projects like MythTV are accomplishing, you'll see that there is serious potential to offer open source next-generation PVR/iTV applications on a wide range of hardware -- something the big consumer electronics companies will probably be slow to do.
The cable companies are certainly within their rights to do whatever they want with their content. It's just a shame that it comes at the cost of consumer choice and innovation.
However, the real shame here is that they *have* essentially handed out the specs to the box, but won't license the security scheme required for the POD to authenticate with a homebrew box.
I only responded to your earlier post because I wanted to re-iterate that authentication and "stealing cable" isn't the issue. It's the DRM and fair use issues that are hobbling a specification that could otherwise revolutionize the set-top box landscape by allowing open-source solutions.
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.:)
No, you've missed the point! I wrote the email that was quoted in this article, so I have a vested interest in clearing this up.:)
OpenCable has gone through great lengths to decouple the decoding/display/application stuff from decryption and access control mechanism. Encryption and Access Control is handled by the cable company's POD (Point Of Deployment) module which will take the form of a removable PCMCIA card or similar. Each cable company could implement different encryption and access control systems by using different POD modules, so even if one system is hacked there would be others.
The main point here, though, is that you're not handing the "hackers" the "keys" to the decryption system any more than you are by giving them a modern digital cable box. It's just a shame to build a system that would otherwise be so perfect for an open-source implementation and then lock it down due to DRM (instead of technological) concerns.
Does this mean recount, as every news organization has reported? Or do they truly mean a real run-off election? If so, the Nader voters will most likely swing for Gore. I can't imagine a run-off truly happening, though.
Slashdot Mirror
A cable box doesn't need to be open source... But, when you look at what projects like MythTV are accomplishing, you'll see that there is serious potential to offer open source next-generation PVR/iTV applications on a wide range of hardware -- something the big consumer electronics companies will probably be slow to do.
The cable companies are certainly within their rights to do whatever they want with their content. It's just a shame that it comes at the cost of consumer choice and innovation.
Chris
Sorry, no offense was intended.
However, the real shame here is that they *have* essentially handed out the specs to the box, but won't license the security scheme required for the POD to authenticate with a homebrew box.
I only responded to your earlier post because I wanted to re-iterate that authentication and "stealing cable" isn't the issue. It's the DRM and fair use issues that are hobbling a specification that could otherwise revolutionize the set-top box landscape by allowing open-source solutions.
Chris
No, you've missed the point! I wrote the email that was quoted in this article, so I have a vested interest in clearing this up.
OpenCable has gone through great lengths to decouple the decoding/display/application stuff from decryption and access control mechanism. Encryption and Access Control is handled by the cable company's POD (Point Of Deployment) module which will take the form of a removable PCMCIA card or similar. Each cable company could implement different encryption and access control systems by using different POD modules, so even if one system is hacked there would be others.
The main point here, though, is that you're not handing the "hackers" the "keys" to the decryption system any more than you are by giving them a modern digital cable box. It's just a shame to build a system that would otherwise be so perfect for an open-source implementation and then lock it down due to DRM (instead of technological) concerns.
Chris
Ok, they just changed it to "recount indicated." False alarm.
"Runoff Election indicated"
Does this mean recount, as every news organization has reported? Or do they truly mean a real run-off election? If so, the Nader voters will most likely swing for Gore. I can't imagine a run-off truly happening, though.
Chris