The Tivo DRM Issue

[Jason]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

Some of this is Tivo-originated. I found, a few months ago, that
I could record a video-on-demand program on channel "1-VOD" and
it would be locked from transferring to my pc. Record the *exact*
same program on channel "1-CAB" and it was not locked in any
way... I've got a SA series2, tivo-branded.



Now, looking for anyone with direct experience...



The methods of transfer... Are you allowed to transfer a DRM show
that will self-delete:
1) Using Tivo Desktop?
2) Using the built in webpage server?


After transferring, has the DRM show:
1) required specific software to play?
2) able to be opened by another software-program at all?


For those who, like me, convert:

Has the transferred DRM'd show been resistant to conversion?
If so, what programs have not been able to cope?


Has the transferred DRM'd show shown a 'requirement' for certain
codecs? This is important for Graphedit users, like me.


Of course, it appears that the hacked boxes don't need to worry
much, as the posts seem to imply they will be immune. But, if
they can answer any of these questions, that would be nice.


With a little cooperative assistance, we should be able to see a
way to remove the DRM's unlawful encroachment on our fair-use
right to time-shift a show.






((And people thought I was a nut, for getting pissy about this
kind of thing 6 months ago... Ha. The price of freedom is
eternal vigilance, not over those who might invade, but vigilance
over those that we place in positions of power.))

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

Jason wrote:
> Some of this is Tivo-originated. I found, a few months ago, that
> I could record a video-on-demand program on channel "1-VOD" and
> it would be locked from transferring to my pc. Record the *exact*
> same program on channel "1-CAB" and it was not locked in any
> way... I've got a SA series2, tivo-branded.
>
>
>
> Now, looking for anyone with direct experience...

I doubt you'll find anyone w/ direct experience. The few examples of
DRM locking in Tivos have been unintentional mistakes. Tivo is saying
(at least at this point) that they don't intend to use it that way.
Some of us think the media folks may not give them the choice.


> The methods of transfer... Are you allowed to transfer a DRM show
> that will self-delete:
> 1) Using Tivo Desktop?
> 2) Using the built in webpage server?

The DRM that's used right now is limited to requiring the MAK code to
transfer, then a password to play back.

> After transferring, has the DRM show:
> 1) required specific software to play?

It requires directshow support and your password.

> 2) able to be opened by another software-program at all?

Sure, any directshow enabled program. WMP is what they support, but
others work.

> For those who, like me, convert:
>
> Has the transferred DRM'd show been resistant to conversion?
> If so, what programs have not been able to cope?

Any Directshow capable program should be able to convert it. Graphedit
works with no problems.

> Has the transferred DRM'd show shown a 'requirement' for certain
> codecs? This is important for Graphedit users, like me.

I've done it with Graphedit myself. It does require the correct codecs,
but there are guides out there on how to get them, it's not hard.


> Of course, it appears that the hacked boxes don't need to worry
> much, as the posts seem to imply they will be immune. But, if
> they can answer any of these questions, that would be nice.

> With a little cooperative assistance, we should be able to see a
> way to remove the DRM's unlawful encroachment on our fair-use
> right to time-shift a show.

The current DRM isn't overly onerous, it mostly restricts distribution
(hence the playback password). It doesn't currently restrict
time-shifting or what you can record at all (hence didn't upset many
people). The most current DRM demonstration of restricting storage time
is a different beast, and is liable to be more controversial.

> ((And people thought I was a nut, for getting pissy about this
> kind of thing 6 months ago... Ha. The price of freedom is
> eternal vigilance, not over those who might invade, but vigilance
> over those that we place in positions of power.))

True, but stripping the DRM is likely to be less of an issue than the
fact that transferring it can be blocked.

I don't remember what you were getting pissy about 6 months ago, but
Tivo's current DRM respects fair use fairly well. The newer flags that
have shown up by accident *do not*.

Randy S.