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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 15,397 Likes: 18
Moderator-Vertical, Vodavi, 1A2, Outside Wire
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Moderator-Vertical, Vodavi, 1A2, Outside Wire
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 15,397 Likes: 18 |
Originally posted by hbiss:
That sounds to me like DRM (Digital Rights Management). That's the basis behind Vista, they don't want you to be able to intercept and record the content of copy protected HD signals from Blue Ray discs or sources like Satellite or cable. The digital signal between the sat receiver, computer, cable box or Blue Ray player to the TV or monitor is encoded. The monitor or TV must be DRM compliant and I believe connected with an HDMI cable otherwise the source will just send it a watered down version or nothing.
So I think what you are seeing is a test to determine if your TV is DRM compliant. Nothing to do with what we are talking about. Your beef is with Hollywood on this one.
-Hal Hal, is there anything that you don't know? I'm finding myself wishing that I could remember half of the things that you have forgotten. Talk about a Jack of All Trades.... :thumb:
Ed Vaughn, MBSWWYPBX
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,056
RIP Moderator-Mitel, Panasonic
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RIP Moderator-Mitel, Panasonic
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,056 |
Has it occurred to anybody that the cable company's converter just "might" have some sort of back-haul system to provide a down-loadable record of YOUR viewing habits? After all, until they FINALLY got my digital signal to work 24/7, they would access my converter each time I called and say 'well there is nothing wrong at our end.' To which I would counter, 'did you see the reset and did it go correctly.' They'd say yes, then I'd say, "That's funny, I didn't do the reset! Better send your tech out to see what's wrong. You must have the wrong box address. And we can only be here after 3PM" (First 13 channels would all be failing by then.  ) So obviously they can address your box now, why not have a survey system so they can show the data to local advertisers, and the "MAN".  Just 'cause you are paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't watching you! John C. (Not Garand)
When I was young, I was Liberal. As I aged and wised up, I became Conservative. Now that I'm old, I have settled on Curmudgeon.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 15,397 Likes: 18
Moderator-Vertical, Vodavi, 1A2, Outside Wire
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Moderator-Vertical, Vodavi, 1A2, Outside Wire
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 15,397 Likes: 18 |
Has it occurred to anybody that the cable company's converter just "might" have some sort of back-haul system to provide a down-loadable record of YOUR viewing habits? Exactly! That is pretty much what I was implying in the first paragraph of my rant on this subject in this thread: I KNEW it! I knew that it sounded too good to be true. I even posted here a while back with my suspicion that going digital was an easy way for broadcasters to monitor our viewing and possibly begin charging us for certain "free" channels.
Ed Vaughn, MBSWWYPBX
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,951 Likes: 2
RIP
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RIP
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,951 Likes: 2 |
There's always the possibility of tuning HDTV over the air, right? I mean, it's not encrypted or anything. If you're a MacGyver type, you can go here for instructions on building your own HDTV antenna. And what will you be able to tune in with such an antenna? Antennaweb.org can tell you. This site's online application will also tell you which flavor of HD antenna will work best for your location. Note that only your zip code is required for this calculation. However, more accurate predictions will be gotten if you add your street address (just don't forget to uncheck the marketing options) and by choosing the appropriate descriptions of the nearby obstacles and whether you have a multi-story house or not. All in all, this is a very cool site.
"Press play and record at the same time" -- Tim Alberstein
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,033
Moderator-Toshiba
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Moderator-Toshiba
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,033 |
IPTV
I get basic digital as part of the lowest cost package by my provider (WideOpenWest) and only watch two channels : Golf Channel and Food Network. Everything else I watch on the internet via Netflix, or a streaming sitcom site. Truthfully, if they shut the cable off tomorrow, I wouldn't be too bothered.
- Tony Ohio Data LLC Phone systems, data networks, firewalls and servers in Central Ohio. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,220 Likes: 2
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,220 Likes: 2 |
Hopefully you aren't using cable for internet access.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,354 Likes: 4
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Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,354 Likes: 4 |
If you're a MacGyver type, you can go here for instructions on building your own HDTV antenna.
All that link does is go around in circles. :shrug:
Anyway, there is no such thing as a "HDTV antenna". It's just a normal UHF TV antenna that's been around for decades. Don't waste your money on a VHF/UHF combo since 75% of the thing (the VHF part) will be useless after February. I suspect they will be going for dirt shortly.
Has it occurred to anybody that the cable company's converter just "might" have some sort of back-haul system...
Might? All set top boxes are in constant communication with the head-end. That's what the reverse channel is for and it will shut down if communications is lost. That's one of the reasons for my saying that cable wiring isn't as easy as throwing a bunch of splitters and an amplifier together. Most house amps don't have any gain in the reverse direction.
Now, whether or not the cable companies collect data on viewing habits I don't know. I don't know why they couldn't and I wouldn't care as long as it's anonymous.
-Hal
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING: Some comments made by me are known to the State of California to cause irreversible brain damage and serious mental disorders leading to confinement.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,056
RIP Moderator-Mitel, Panasonic
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RIP Moderator-Mitel, Panasonic
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,056 |
Hal, "I wouldn't care as long as it's anonymous." Neither would I, but you and I know it wont be. Check the "Telco Eavesdropping Bill" just passed, as if I need to mention it! And of course,"so they can show the data to local advertisers, and the "MAN"." John C. (Not Garand)
When I was young, I was Liberal. As I aged and wised up, I became Conservative. Now that I'm old, I have settled on Curmudgeon.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,354 Likes: 4
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,354 Likes: 4 |
I agree but I think what we watch on TV is a small change compared to reading our emails, seeing what we do on our computers and listening in on our phone conversations.
-Hal
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING: Some comments made by me are known to the State of California to cause irreversible brain damage and serious mental disorders leading to confinement.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,056
RIP Moderator-Mitel, Panasonic
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RIP Moderator-Mitel, Panasonic
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,056 |
Valid to the MAX. Maybe I need to withdraw from society. Yeah, right! Is that REALLY possible? You have to live someplace, even if it's a cave. To keep from being bothered, you'd have to own a significant amount of land AND pay the annual taxes. John C. (Not Garand)
When I was young, I was Liberal. As I aged and wised up, I became Conservative. Now that I'm old, I have settled on Curmudgeon.
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