I read avintegrator's thread about Motorola's DVI output being killed by a software upgrade, or better that I correctly I say downgrade, and I'm reminded of the fact that the statutory copyright laws are being challenged by case law leaning towards an invasion of our homes. Based on this new direction, "they" will be able to control what we see and how we deal with what we see from their remote location.

My position: If someone wants to send something to me, great! I will decide whether or not I want to receive it based on my interest and their cost. End of transaction. If someone rings my doorbell, I look through my peephole (antiquated technology) and decide whether or not to let them into my home.

In the dark ages, the cable company controlled what I saw, but in this age of enlightenment we have choices - DirecTV, Dish, Voom. Now the MPAA and other groups have organized against us and they are working at moving into our living rooms with total control over what we view. The pussies in Washington have dropped to their knees for these folks. Does anyone have a problem with this?

I see it as a paradigm shift in how copyright laws are being dealt with, and it's a major road block for the law abiding citizens that just want to archive or time shift record, and others that would just like to watch TV! Can we mount an attack? Who would be at the head of our lobby? How about the CEA? They already lobby but they have been ineffectual so far haven't they?

Please post your support or dissent here.

Am I naive? yes
Am I commited? yes
Is this a real threat? Don't be numb - yes

Consider that if we, including Bose, Best Buy, Mitsubishi, Samsung, Comcast, Cox, Blockbuster, DirecTV etc. could be organized, we are richer than the opposition. We could tell Sony Pictures that we simply aren't interested in their "controlled" media offer. We just won't air their stuff, or offer it in video. What do you suppose Sony would do? Hehe.

Me, a dreammer? yes, but don't forget for a minute that the top 1% of America listens to us when it comes to their own homes. Think about it...

Actually its just got to with the Digital Millenium Copyright Act and HDCP compatibility. Hollywood and broadasters are scared that pirating will run rampant with such a high quality format available in peoples homes. There are a LOT of "High Definition" TV's out there with DVI inputs that are NOT HDCP compliant right now. Some of these TV's were from Manufacturers that released their sets before the HDCP format was finalized, Some are Commertial display monitors that were never indended for residential use on the Design table. Such is the drawback of being an early adopter and purchasing the wrong set because commertial plasmas are easy to buy through distribution.

As for "They" controlling what we watch...... I havent a clue what your talking about. With Broadcast shows getting more risque all the time(NYPD Blue), Cable networks pushing the envelope(The Sheild), and Satellite providers giving us anything else we might want(HBO, Spice, THN, Etc...)I think the content is there no matter what your fancy is to view in the privacy of your own home.

I've never seen a message come up on my TV screen from Comcast, DirecTV or the broadcasters saying "Due to the opinion of "they" this transmission cannot be viewed in your home"

I understand that the content providers are worried about their software becoming "Napsterized," but it bugs me that the local cable company can reach into my house and turn off outputs to my TV at will. The feds used to be on our side. Copy protected software used to have to be backwards compatible. Do you suppose Macrovision would have been tolerated if it rendered all the VCRs sold in the first 6 years unusable?


I would call the purchasers of QAM receivers that output 8VSB (such as the Dish 5000) early adoptors, and would expect them to be at risk. I don't think of people that bought HDTV sets in 2003 as early adoptors and most of the sets from that model year have a DVI input.


If I understand correctly, the HDMI implimentation of HDCP gives the content providers total control over the equipment in our living rooms. In other words they can decide on a broadcast by broadcast basis whether or not we can make a recording, or for that matter, even view the show. I don't know if this, in and of itself, is all that bad, but it's a big fat foot in the door for Hollywood and Studio City.


No, not yet. HDMI is the vehicle, and not many of us have it yet. I don't know how Hollywood and Studio City will ultimately choose to use their new found power, but use it they will. And I'm pretty sure I won't like it, but hey, I'm old and set in my ways. :)