RE: [mythtv-users] Not your everyday newbie questions

[Patrick Watson]

It is true that component capture is a technical limitation and the component signal is unencrypted. However, the same doesn’t apply for firewire. Firewire sends a mpeg2 stream that doesn’t require recompression, just writing to disk. For many channels this is fine. You’ll be able to record almost any over the air channel. However, pay channels such as the ESPNs, INHDs, and Discoveries are a no go because they are sent through firewire with 5c content protection. This is a type of encryption scheme that is vaguely similar to the broadcast flag (except the broadcast flag doesn’t encrypt). The provider (Comcast) decides which programs are allowed to be played and recorded any number of times, recorded one time, or only viewed (not recorded). The unlimited 5c setting is unencrypted and a computer should be able to access it. However, the other two options are encrypted and AFAIK no computer based systems can access them.   Patrick   From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Chris Ribe Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2005 6:08 PM To: Discussion about mythtv Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] Not your everyday newbie questions   "Without the firewire connection am I correct in assuming that there is no way to capture HD encrypted content like HD Espn, HD TNT, HD Discovery, etc? Is this a blanket problem or are there ways around it?" The problem isn't encryption, as HD content over component output isn't encrypted, the problem is simply a technical one.  An uncompressed HD signal contains far more data than today's PC's can handle in software, and nobody makes a consumer priced encoder chip. For a crude idea of what is going on, my 1ghz PIII can barely keep up with encoding NTSC content.   A 720p stream contains almost 8 times as mush data as a 480i signal.

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