recording Comcast digital channels with MythTV

[Ben Scott]

On Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 12:33 PM, Tom Buskey <tom at buskey.name> wrote:
> Or am I missing something?

  The thing you're all missing is that the system is *designed* not to
let you record content.  You keep expecting to find a way to capture
content where it would make sense to have one.  There isn't one,
because the copyright cartels don't *want* you to have one.

  The digital channels are encrypted.  They can only be decrypted by a
CableCARD.  The CableCARD checks the host equipment (set-top-box, TV
with CableCARD slot, Tivo, whatever) for a crypto signature
authorizing the host.  CableLabs only hands out a signature after
they're happy the host equipment will properly honor restrictions put
in place by the copyright cartels.  Those restrictions include
enforcing copy restrictions on digital outputs.  This is why your TV
has to support HDCP (High Definition Copy^W Content Protection) in
order to use an HDMI input to watch encrypted channels.  The host will
shut off the digital signal if it doesn't get the proper HDCP crypto.

  There is the "analog hole", which is the copyright cartel term for
analog outputs that can't be digitally copy protected.  Available
analog outputs are RF, composite (single RCA), S-video, and component.
 All but the last are fuzzy standard definition only, which was
already available plaintext via RF, so the cartels didn't worry as
much about them.  Component allows for high def.  Currently,
analog-to-digital capture devices for high-def component video are
expensive, so they have remained out of consumer hands.  But the
copyright cartels are still worried, and keep trying to get that
"hole" plugged somehow, too.  If a cheap high-def ADC box becomes
available, you can expect them to step up their efforts and buy the
needed legislation.

-- Ben