Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-27 Thread Ben Scott

On 3/27/07, Ted Roche <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Rather scary how a mere discussion of the legalities elicts such a
furor,  another chilling effect illustrated... when you can't discuss
the issues (and use illustrations such as links of the sort of things
that are under fire), what's left but to cave in and give up?


Point of clarification here: you pointed to a resource that had an rss
feed of BitTorrents of other people's copywritten material. I had no
objection to the discussion. I objected to the link.


 "Me too."

 Again, the courts recognize the concept of "intent".  If you post a
link to an RSS feed that collects links to BitTorrent servers that
track the distribution of copyvio material, the *intent* is still to
enable the distribution of copyvio material.  Saying "I didn't do it;
I only told them where to look" may not be sufficient legal defense.
It certainly sounds like grounds for a trial, and that's something I'd
like to avoid.

-- Ben
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-27 Thread Ted Roche
Seth Cohn wrote:

> Rather scary how a mere discussion of the legalities elicts such a
> furor,  another chilling effect illustrated... when you can't discuss
> the issues (and use illustrations such as links of the sort of things
> that are under fire), what's left but to cave in and give up?

Point of clarification here: you pointed to a resource that had an rss
feed of BitTorrents of other people's copywritten material. I had no
objection to the discussion. I objected to the link.

-- 
Ted Roche
Ted Roche & Associates, LLC
http://www.tedroche.com
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Re: Copyright Issues (Was: Re: Why we can't record our TV shows

2007-03-27 Thread Ted Roche
Travis Roy wrote:

> I think DMCA is fair game. 

I've got better things to do than to be the mailing list Nazi (Hah!
Goodwin's Law!) and won't meta-debate what can or can't be posted, But
advocating illegal activities no matter how offensive the law is
something that can get the list in trouble. Not from me, but from some
overzealous enforcer who orders a chilling-effects takedown
(http://www.chillingeffects.org) or seizure. I've got better things to
do than to try to get our server un-impounded, too.

Saying you think DMCA is dumb is your opinion. We ought to discuss on
the list what we laymen understand about copyright, about releasing
software under the free licenses, and some of the intricacies of working
with the copywritten or patented works of others. However, pointing to
software that breaks copy protection (like holding down the shift key)
can be considered a violation of the DMCA, so I don't think we need to
do that on the list.

If you'd like to exercise Civil Disobedience, please do it on your
server. I might even contribute to your bail fund.

And, please, call or write your congress(wo)men. Support organizations
that support your point of view and lobby for change. Be grateful to
live in a country where laws can be changed (despite the challenges of
going up against intrenched and enriched industries). That's where
change has to happen, not here.

-- 
Ted Roche
Ted Roche & Associates, LLC
http://www.tedroche.com
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-27 Thread Ted Roche
Seth Cohn wrote:

> Rather scary how a mere discussion of the legalities elicts such a
> furor,  another chilling effect illustrated... when you can't discuss
> the issues (and use illustrations such as links of the sort of things
> that are under fire), what's left but to cave in and give up?

Point of clarification here: you pointed to a resource that had an rss
feed of BitTorrents of other people's copywritten material. I had no
objection to the discussion. I objected to the link.

-- 
Ted Roche
Ted Roche & Associates, LLC
http://www.tedroche.com

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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows

2007-03-27 Thread Tom Buskey

On 3/26/07, Bruce Dawson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


Don't you feel like a colonial pion fighting against King George's army?
The corporate megaliths are just praying that we consumers won't act
with our wallets and start to completely ignore the traditional/modern
forms of entertainment (TV/radio,records, ...)




I think King George is starting to realize the issue.  The Globe (or NYT?)
had an article about a new band that was signed for 2-3 songs.  *Not* an
album.  They realize the album is going away.  People are buying songs, not
albums.  They're just trying to hang onto the old ways as long as possible.

I think many musicians will go the way of Ani DiFranco and self
produce/publish/distribute.  Much of the big companies' profit comes from
creative accounting with musician's royalties.

Some niches will be too small for the big companies and small ones will rush
in.  Folk music has been going this way as the biggies abandon it.
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Bob King

On 3/26/07, Ben Scott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


  Why not just do a one-time batch tivodecode of the .tivo files to
.mpeg files?  That's what I did.



Anyone recommend a good mpeg editor once you have them converted so I can
take out the $#^%# commercials?
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Ben Scott

On 3/26/07, Travis Roy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Now the question is, if Ben goes and edits the archives to remove the
link.. Is that destruction of evidence?


 After a subpoena has been issued, I'm pretty sure it is.

 Before then, I'm not sure.

 Either way, I'm not going to modify the archives on
liberty.gnhlug.org unless someone files a formal complaint.  (And to
any smart-asses on this list: GNHLUG actually *does* have a lawyer
available.  Please do not waste his time or our very meager resources
with a spurious complaint.)

 I should point out that this list is publicly archived at multiple
sites, and "we" have no control over such archives.

--
"One day I feel I'm ahead of the wheel / And the next it's rolling over me"
 -- Rush, "Far Cry"
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Seth Cohn

I note you posted a link to
a comment in a blog which is a link to a different blog entry which is
a link that results in an HTTP 404 error.


heheh, I didn't notice the 404 error.  Ok, citing a 404 page is pretty
poor as a defense.  "Never mind" in my best Emily Latella voice


You were asked not to bring up
details of practicing copyright violation, and in response you posted
a link to a site that specializes in same.


Actually, I posted a link to an rss feed, as an example of how a list
sorting duplicate handling problem was handled in one case.  But
potato, potato.  It wasn't my intention to do more than answer a
specific raised question about that problem, and if I offended and
upset you, I do apologize for it.

Seth
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Ben Scott

On 3/26/07, Jon 'maddog' Hall <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

I think that most of us on this list will agree that the recent rulings
of our government sponsored by the recording and broadcast industries
are Draconian by any measure.


 I absolutely agree, here.


You might find less agreement on how much freedom people would allow in
file sharing and swapping of copyrighted material.


 I'm not even going as far as weighing in on that matter.

 I'm just saying that, right or wrong, I do not want to open a legal
can of worms.  I doubt GNHLUG or MV does, either.

 "Don't seek out trouble; it will find you soon enough on its own."


Let's change the law to something that is better.


 Well said!

-- Ben
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Ben Scott

[I'm spooling up Seth Cohn's posts and consolidating them into a
single reply.  Order of comments has been rearranged for (supposed)
clarity.  An errors in editing are mine and mine alone.  Actual
results may vary.  Participating locations only.]

On 3/26/07, Seth Cohn <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

  *** DO NOT DISCUSS ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES ON THIS LIST. 


I understand your point, and will comply with your wishes, despite my
_opinion_ that it's not illegal in the first place.


 *Thank you.*


pissing match with the MPAA.


Since we were talking television and not ever movies, the MPAA isn't
an issue ...


 Um, the MPAA explicitly considers television their problem:

"The MPAA ... serve as the voice and advocate of the American motion
picture, home video and television industries"
 -- http://www.mpaa.org/AboutUs.asp

 You make the same mistake a lot of people do (myself included): You
suppose the world (and law in particular) works the way you think it
should.  There is a huge difference between supposition and actual
knowledge.


Fear of the unknown law is worse than the actual laws at times.


 If you are willing to sign a contract stating you will cover all of
the costs arising from hypothetical legal action (including legal
council, as well as replacement hardware if the server is seized as
evidence), and are willing to post a bond as a measure of your
commitment, then I'm willing to hear you.

 Otherwise, you're volunteering me, GNHLUG, and MV Communications for
*your* legal battle.  I'm not too keen on that idea.

 It's relatively easy for one person to take on a battle.  As the
list admin, I have a responsibility to act in the interests of
everyone who associates themselves with GNHLUG.


... cyberlaw is a mixed bag so far...


 Absolutely.  And we have no way of knowing what we might pull out of
said mixed bag, should it come down to it.  I, for one, do not wish to
gamble on it.


No, I am not a lawyer, neither are you.


 No, I am not a lawyer.  However, I *am* acting on real legal council
received from an actual lawyer in a past situation about the common
carrier status of a BBS.


http://www.techdirt.com/article.php?sid=20060306/0356217#c171


 While I do not dispute that certain legal protections have been
(inconsistently) applied to online forums, I note you posted a link to
a comment in a blog which is a link to a different blog entry which is
a link that results in an HTTP 404 error.  As citations go, that one
fails to impress.  (I'm not asking you to go Google some more links;
I'm pointing out that your failure to check your source has somewhat
diminished your credibility in my eyes.  Moral being: Check your
sources.)


when you can't discuss the issues (and use illustrations such as links of the
sort of things that are under fire), ...


 The courts see a difference between the discussion of a law in
general, vs explicit instruction on how to break said law.

 Further, the courts, not to mention your fellow human beings,
recognize the concept of "intent".  You were asked not to bring up
details of practicing copyright violation, and in response you posted
a link to a site that specializes in same.  That is more than walking
on legally shaky ground.  That is behaving like a jerk.  I will give
you the benefit of the doubt, and assume that was an exception to your
normal behavior.  I'm certainly not immune to loosing my cool.

-- Ben

"Can't you see / My temperature's rising / I radiate more heat than light"
-- Rush, "Presto"
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Jon 'maddog' Hall
Seth,

There is a not-so-fine line between the issues of copyright, DMCA, etc.
being discussed and the "HOWTO" of performing illegal acts being
discussed, particularly when people get fast and loose about saying "I
did this" and "I used this".  Even if you are careful about what you
say, others may not be.

I think that most of us on this list will agree that the recent rulings
of our government sponsored by the recording and broadcast industries
are Draconian by any measure.  You might find less agreement on how much
freedom people would allow in file sharing and swapping of copyrighted
material.

>From my viewpoint you are welcome to discuss the issues of these topics
(although I hope with an appropriate subject line), but not ways of
breaking the law.  Let's change the law to something that is better.

Warmest regards,

maddog

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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Seth Cohn

  To use a really bad analogy: If you want to argue that homicide
should not be illegal, I don't have a problem with that (as the server
operator).  But I would object to anyone giving instructions on how to
kill others and get away with it, or links to same.  I'd also frown
upon anyone claiming they commit homicide on a regular basis.


Sometimes I kill.   I look up their id, and issue the command:
# kill {id}

Sometimes I really kill, with extreme prejudice:
# kill -9 {id}

It's ok, usually, as I'm above the law, when I'm root. Permissions
don't matter to me.
I'm a unix god!

I'd link to the man page someplace on the Internet, but Ben wouldn't
like that. (grin)
And I'm sure linking to http://www.cs.unm.edu/~dlchao/flake/doom/
is just going way way too far.
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows

2007-03-26 Thread Bruce Dawson

Travis Roy wrote:

Rather scary how a mere discussion of the legalities elicts such a
furor, another chilling effect illustrated... when you can't discuss
the issues (and use illustrations such as links of the sort of things
that are under fire), what's left but to cave in and give up?
Now the question is, if Ben goes and edits the archives to remove the 
link.. Is that destruction of evidence?
Maybe *attempted* destruction of evidence. He'd have to do a lot to hide 
the destruction since the TWiki is all RCS backed, logged, backed up, 
... Its possible, but I think those who can do it have better things to 
do with their time.

H..
Don't you feel like a colonial pion fighting against King George's army? 
The corporate megaliths are just praying that we consumers won't act 
with our wallets and start to completely ignore the traditional/modern 
forms of entertainment (TV/radio,records, ...)


But something tells me their gods are stronger than ours.

--Bruce
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Seth Cohn

One link to just show that some court decisions seem to indicate that
lists like this one are protected from the content expressed by its
members No, I am not a lawyer, neither are you.  Feel free to err
on the side of caution if you so wish, I understand that.  I'm merely
pointing out that cyberlaw is a mixed bag so far... and not standing
up for one's rights to free speech is the easiest way to lose it.
Fear of the unknown law is worse than the actual laws at times.

http://www.techdirt.com/article.php?sid=20060306/0356217#c171

I'm done with the topic, ok, Ben?
Though I will report on how well my Linux Media setup works when I get it going.
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Ben Scott

On 3/26/07, Ben Scott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Frankly, the Bono copyright extension was a
perversion of justice, and I'd be glad to prove it to a jury in a
court of law.


  As I said, *I am totally uninterested in campaign speeches*.


 Clarification: I am uninterested in campaign speeches arguing that
this list should allow discussion of how do something illegal.

 If you want to campaign that a class of activities, in general,
should or should not be illegal, knock yourself out.  Just don't get
into specifics.

 To use a really bad analogy: If you want to argue that homicide
should not be illegal, I don't have a problem with that (as the server
operator).  But I would object to anyone giving instructions on how to
kill others and get away with it, or links to same.  I'd also frown
upon anyone claiming they commit homicide on a regular basis.

--
"One day I feel I'm ahead of the wheel / And the next it's rolling over me"
 -- Rush, "Far Cry"
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows

2007-03-26 Thread Ted Roche
Seth Cohn wrote:
> 
> And you've illustrated exactly the chilling effect on the flow of
> information.
> 

Yes, I have, intentionally.

> When a link, NOT copyrighted material itself IN ANY WAY, but a mere
> link to a website with information on it, is suddenly forbidden fruits
> and banned, what is the long term effect of that on the Internet, on
> discussion groups, etc?

It's a serious problem, and I'm encouraging my congresspeople to make
the lines much more clear. In the appropriate forums.

> That, it seems to me, IS on topic for this group, because without open
> discussion and the Internet flowing freely, and with bad copyright
> laws and bad patents enforced, the open source community faces a
> serious threat to its' existence.

This is not the place to change bad laws. You and I may disagree with
them, but for the sake of our community we need to follow them here
until we get them changed.

> 
>> Let's focus our discussions on Linux and Free/Open Source Software and
>> not on proprietary multimedia. There are plenty of other forums for that.
> 
> I agree.  

Thank you.

-- 
Ted Roche
Ted Roche & Associates, LLC
http://www.tedroche.com
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Re: Copyright Issues (Was: Re: Why we can't record our TV shows

2007-03-26 Thread Travis Roy


Expressions of your opinion on the DMCA, the Sonny Bono Copyright Act,
your interpretation of Sony/Betamax and so forth are political and  
just
lead to a lot of wasted air, imo. If you want to express those  
opinions,

and I do regularly, I aim at my congresspeople and at funding the
organizations (EFF, ACLU, etc.) that advocate for my point of view. Or
over a beer at Martha's. But here, such discussions are divisive,  
rarely

if ever change any minds, and make the forum a more hostile place to
hang out on. Let's leave those topics OFF-TOPIC, where they belong.


I think DMCA is fair game. It directly effects many aspects of linux  
and linux software. Including, but not limited to, Xine, MythTV,  
LinuxMCE, and others.

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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Travis Roy


Rather scary how a mere discussion of the legalities elicts such a
furor,  another chilling effect illustrated... when you can't discuss
the issues (and use illustrations such as links of the sort of things
that are under fire), what's left but to cave in and give up?


Now the question is, if Ben goes and edits the archives to remove the  
link.. Is that destruction of evidence?


H..
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Re: Copyright Issues (Was: Re: Why we can't record our TV shows

2007-03-26 Thread Ted Roche
Travis Roy wrote:

>> Let's focus our discussions on Linux and Free/Open Source Software and
>> not on proprietary multimedia. There are plenty of other forums for that.
> 
> To be fair, I do think copyright issues are something that is up for
> discussion. After all, it does effect Free/Open Source Software quite a
> bit.

Absolutely! I'm an armchair lawyer myself when it comes to discussions
of software licenses, copyright, contracts and the other stuff I have to
deal with every day as a software development and consultant. (And as
always encourage the advice of a real lawyer when there's serious money,
property or reputation on the line.) I don't oppose discussions on the
topic of Free/Open Source Software as it relates to the copyright. GNU
GPL and OSI and so on are on topic.

Expressions of your opinion on the DMCA, the Sonny Bono Copyright Act,
your interpretation of Sony/Betamax and so forth are political and just
lead to a lot of wasted air, imo. If you want to express those opinions,
and I do regularly, I aim at my congresspeople and at funding the
organizations (EFF, ACLU, etc.) that advocate for my point of view. Or
over a beer at Martha's. But here, such discussions are divisive, rarely
if ever change any minds, and make the forum a more hostile place to
hang out on. Let's leave those topics OFF-TOPIC, where they belong.

-- 
Ted Roche
Ted Roche & Associates, LLC
http://www.tedroche.com
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Seth Cohn

  *** DO NOT DISCUSS ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES ON THIS LIST. 


I understand your point, and will comply with your wishes, despite my
_opinion_ that it's not illegal in the first place.


pissing match with the MPAA.


Since we were talking television and not ever movies, the MPAA isn't
an issue, but again, I know what you meant here.  RIAA, MPAA,
Information Mafia, it's all the same thing.


play whenever you like.  In particular, online discussion forums such
as this one are *not* Common Carriers.  Go ask a lawyer.


googling for "discussion forum liability common carrier" finds lots of
discussion about the merits of this on both sides.  Those interested
can read for themselves.

Rather scary how a mere discussion of the legalities elicts such a
furor,  another chilling effect illustrated... when you can't discuss
the issues (and use illustrations such as links of the sort of things
that are under fire), what's left but to cave in and give up?

Seth
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Re: Copyright Issues (Was: Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center))

2007-03-26 Thread Ben Scott

On 3/26/07, Travis Roy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

To be fair, I do think copyright issues are something that is up for
discussion. After all, it does effect Free/Open Source Software quite
a bit.


 If you or anyone else wants to discuss what law or policy *should*
be, and why, go right ahead.

 But don't use this service as a means to discuss circumvention of
law, policy, or even major intent.  If service XYZ has policies you
don't like, feel free to tell us all why you don't like them.  Go
ahead and campaign for a boycott, if you like.  But don't drag us all
into a pit of moral and legal ambiguity.

--
"One day I feel I'm ahead of the wheel / And the next it's rolling over me"
 -- Rush, "Far Cry"
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Ben Scott

On 3/26/07, Seth Cohn <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Frankly, the Bono copyright extension was a
perversion of justice, and I'd be glad to prove it to a jury in a
court of law.


 As I said, *I am totally uninterested in campaign speeches*.

 Let me spell this out for you:

 *** DO NOT DISCUSS ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES ON THIS LIST. 

 Illegal activities are those illegal under current US Law, not those
Seth Cohn *thinks* should be illegal.

 Further traffic to the contrary will result in you being banned from
this service.

 As explanation:

 You seem to think your opinion about what is just and fair and right
matters when it comes to what's legal and what isn't.  It does not.
Your opinion might influence changes in status down the road, but as
for what is legal fact *right now*, your opinion DOES NOT COUNT.

 Do not drag me, GNHLUG, or MV Communications into your own personal
pissing match with the MPAA.  You are very willing to volunteer others
for your legal trouble, and I do not appreciate that *at all*.


No, the laws are very clear that you aren't.  You aren't responsible
for discussion on what is effectively a common carrier.


 Common Carrier status is not a "Get Out of Jail Free" card you can
play whenever you like.  In particular, online discussion forums such
as this one are *not* Common Carriers.  Go ask a lawyer.

--
"One day I feel I'm ahead of the wheel / And the next it's rolling over me"
 -- Rush, "Far Cry"
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Seth Cohn

> Ah, but the sites do a great job of filtering just for such a thing.
> For example, [OMITTED} is a feed that doesn't list...

STOP.

You are pointing out feeds of shows whose legality is questionable at
best. This is in violation of the terms of use of this list, this group,
and likely the TOS of our kind hosts.


And you've illustrated exactly the chilling effect on the flow of information.

When a link, NOT copyrighted material itself IN ANY WAY, but a mere
link to a website with information on it, is suddenly forbidden fruits
and banned, what is the long term effect of that on the Internet, on
discussion groups, etc?

That, it seems to me, IS on topic for this group, because without open
discussion and the Internet flowing freely, and with bad copyright
laws and bad patents enforced, the open source community faces a
serious threat to its' existence.


Let's focus our discussions on Linux and Free/Open Source Software and
not on proprietary multimedia. There are plenty of other forums for that.


I agree.  There is plenty of free and open materials to watch and
discuss here or elsewhere.
There are tools such as Democracy Internet TV http://www.getdemocracy.com/
and Linux Media, and this is a forum where those can and should be discussed.
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Copyright Issues (Was: Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center))

2007-03-26 Thread Travis Roy


I don't recall the "giving it to a friend" portion of the decision,  
and

the slippery slope of two friends, four friends, putting it on the web
site, popping it up on BitTorrent likely crosses the line, somewhere.


I agree with this.. Even when people were saying making mix tapes for  
friends was legal back in the old Napster days.. But I don't think  
standing in front of the local grocery store and handing out copies  
of CDs to everybody that walks by as giving a friend a copy, that's  
distribution



Let's focus our discussions on Linux and Free/Open Source Software and
not on proprietary multimedia. There are plenty of other forums for  
that.


To be fair, I do think copyright issues are something that is up for  
discussion. After all, it does effect Free/Open Source Software quite  
a bit.




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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Ted Roche
Seth Cohn wrote:
> 
> For free-to-air programs, I suspect it would be very hard to make truly
> illegal.

Seth:

I am not a lawyer and don't believe you are, either. I'd suggest we
allow the courts to determine what is and is not legal.

> For other programming, I'd still look to the Sony time-shifting
> decision and ask what the difference is between this and making a VCR
> copy (or more than one) and giving it to a friend. That is and remains
> entirely legal.

I don't recall the "giving it to a friend" portion of the decision, and
the slippery slope of two friends, four friends, putting it on the web
site, popping it up on BitTorrent likely crosses the line, somewhere.

> Frankly, the Bono copyright extension was a
> perversion of justice, and I'd be glad to prove it to a jury in a
> court of law.

I would be glad to have YOU prove it, too.

> Ah, but the sites do a great job of filtering just for such a thing.
> For example, [OMITTED} is a feed that doesn't list...

STOP.

You are pointing out feeds of shows whose legality is questionable at
best. This is in violation of the terms of use of this list, this group,
and likely the TOS of our kind hosts.

Whether or not the site in question is legal is of far less interest to
most of the group than whether the chilling effects of finding that out
are worth exploring.

Let's focus our discussions on Linux and Free/Open Source Software and
not on proprietary multimedia. There are plenty of other forums for that.

>> One may want to avoid boasting of one's illegal activities in such a
>> forum.
> 
> That assumes that it is illegal. 

And you assume it is not. This forum is not the place for those discussions.

-- 
Ted Roche

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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Nigel Stewart



I download each and every show I wish to watch (and I want for
nothing I can't get), getting not only high quality recordings, but
with commercials already removed.


I'm curious...is there a model in which you'd consider paying for
content?  


Yes, it's called Netflix.

For everything else, there are shadier alternatives,
so I'm told.

Nigel

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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Seth Cohn

Replies to a number of emails:


I'm transition to this solution, but the legality of it is debatable.


For free-to-air programs, I suspect it would be very hard to make truly illegal.
For other programming, I'd still look to the Sony time-shifting
decision and ask what the difference is between this and making a VCR
copy (or more than one) and giving it to a friend. That is and remains
entirely legal.  Frankly, the Bono copyright extension was a
perversion of justice, and I'd be glad to prove it to a jury in a
court of law.


I'm still trying to figure out a good working solution to
automatically download the shows I like without getting dupes or
incorrect versions (like a french version for example).


Ah, but the sites do a great job of filtering just for such a thing.
For example, http://tvrss.net/feed/unique/ is a feed that doesn't list
duplicates (ie any show episode only appears once)  There are others
that do the same and more...


I also can't get a few shows I enjoy. Such as This Old House,
Gardening By The Yard, and a few others.

still losing out on one HBO show I enjoy.


Just a matter of knowing where to look.  Almost everything is out there.
In other words, everything is on the Internet, and google is your friend.
(Google isn't evil, so it must be legal, right?)


I'm curious...is there a model in which you'd consider paying for
content?


Actually, I did pay for content... I paid hundreds of dollars a month
for satellite and cable.
I paid far more than the content was worth, due to the monopoly
pricing, for example.
I have and do pay for DVDs I wish to "own", though of course, the
entire copyright system, DVD encryption, DRM, etc attempts prevents me
for doing with the paid for content what I wish, so my 'ownership' is
reduced to some form of rental.


 The model could have reasonable prices and fair/non-existent
 copy-protection or whatever else you'd like.


Sure, if the pricing was minimal, or perhaps with commercials to
subsidize it, I'd pay a very small amount - on the order of $1 an
episode or much less.  As someone else pointed out: the TV->DVD market
has set a very low pricepoint once they do release the content on DVD,
so pricing it higher makes little sense.


One may want to avoid boasting of one's illegal activities in such a forum.


That assumes that it is illegal.  Since there is plenty of free-to-air
content, foreign programming, etc, I'm not talking about downloading
"illegal" items.


 For that matter, it just occurred to me that, as the legal owner of
 the server this list is hosted on, I'm probably exposed to some sort
of liability for such discussions.  :-(


No, the laws are very clear that you aren't.  You aren't responsible
for discussion on what is effectively a common carrier.  In the same
way, the 'torrent' sites are now being told that a mere LINK or
pointer to information is now illegal, and that really shouldn't hold
up in court, because if it is allowed to, your website can, without
your knowledge or consent, have a mere comment link make you liable,
which would effectively destroy the free flow of information on the
Internet, thanks solely to lawyers.


Heck, even when it isn't illegal, the media cartels have demonstrated
that they will sue you anyway.  It is an effective tactic.


No, it's not effective.  The RIAA is learning that the hard way in
general neither ISPs nor colleges will give out private info to them
so they can identify those who download 'illegal' music, and the
number of lawsuits brought against clearly innocent folks are large
enough that all it should take is a bit more of a public outcry to
stop the tactics.
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows

2007-03-26 Thread Travis Roy


On Mar 26, 2007, at 1:08 PM, Paul Lussier wrote:


Travis Roy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:


I'm curious...is there a model in which you'd consider paying for
content?  The model could have reasonable prices and fair/non- 
existent

copy-protection or whatever else you'd like.


If it's stuff that I can get OTA with an antenna (If I didn't live in
the sticks), then no, I wouldn't pay for it. I'd setup myth to record
it and auto strip the commercials.  So for me there's no difference
between this and downloading the torrent.


Except that by partaking in a Bit-Torrent cloud you are unethically
and illegally re-distributing the content which violates copyright,
and is something that does not fall under "fair-use".  Therefore,
there is a difference (legally-speaking) with respect to bit-torrent
and MythTV.

In the latter case, you are in fact time-shifting an OTA broadcast
show which falls under the fair-use doctrine.  In the former you
violate the content owner's exclusive right to control distribution.

I'm not saying I agree with this, just pointing out the differences :)


So noted.. I was just saying.

Penn Jillette said on his radio show that he didn't see, or had a  
problem with, people downloading his TV Show (Bullshit) if they are  
subscribers to Showtime already. His reasoning is that they already  
paid for the content. But, he's not the copyright holder, Showtime is.

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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows

2007-03-26 Thread Paul Lussier
Travis Roy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:

>> I'm curious...is there a model in which you'd consider paying for
>> content?  The model could have reasonable prices and fair/non-existent
>> copy-protection or whatever else you'd like.
>
> If it's stuff that I can get OTA with an antenna (If I didn't live in
> the sticks), then no, I wouldn't pay for it. I'd setup myth to record
> it and auto strip the commercials.  So for me there's no difference
> between this and downloading the torrent.

Except that by partaking in a Bit-Torrent cloud you are unethically
and illegally re-distributing the content which violates copyright,
and is something that does not fall under "fair-use".  Therefore,
there is a difference (legally-speaking) with respect to bit-torrent
and MythTV.

In the latter case, you are in fact time-shifting an OTA broadcast
show which falls under the fair-use doctrine.  In the former you
violate the content owner's exclusive right to control distribution.

I'm not saying I agree with this, just pointing out the differences :)

-- 
Seeya,
Paul
--
Key fingerprint = 1660 FECC 5D21 D286 F853  E808 BB07 9239 53F1 28EE

A: Yes.   
> Q: Are you sure?
>> A: Because it reverses the logical flow of conversation.   
>>> Q: Why is top posting annoying in email?
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread mike ledoux
On Mon, Mar 26, 2007 at 10:16:05AM -0400, Travis Roy wrote:
> >
> >I download each and every show I wish to watch (and I want for
> >nothing I can't get), getting not only high quality recordings,
> >but with commercials already removed.  Finding new shows is
>
> I'm transition to this solution, but the legality of it is
> debatable.  I'm still trying to figure out a good working solution

The legality isn't even really debatable.  Under current law in the
US, this is illegal.

-- 
[EMAIL PROTECTED]  OpenPGP KeyID 0x57C3430B
Holder of Past Knowledge   CS, O-
"AOL would be a giant diesel-smoking bus with hundreds of ebola
 victims on board throwing dead wombats and rotten cabbage at the other
 cars, most of which have been assembled at home from kits."

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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Ben Scott

On 3/26/07, Seth Cohn <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

I download each and every show I wish to watch ...


 Just a reminder, this list is publicly archived.  One may want to
avoid boasting of one's illegal activities in such a forum.

 For that matter, it just occurred to me that, as the legal owner of
the server this list is hosted on, I'm probably exposed to some sort
of liability for such discussions.  :-(

 I'm totally uninterested in campaign speeches about why this
shouldn't be illegal.  The fact of the matter is, it *is* illegal.
Heck, even when it isn't illegal, the media cartels have demonstrated
that they will sue you anyway.  It is an effective tactic.

--
"One day I feel I'm ahead of the wheel / And the next it's rolling over me"
 -- Rush, "Far Cry"
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Bill Freeman
Kevin D. Clark writes:
 > I'm curious...is there a model in which you'd consider paying for
 > content?  The model could have reasonable prices and fair/non-existent
 > copy-protection or whatever else you'd like.

First, it has to be a model in which there is content worth paying
for.  I own a number of VHS (and Beta) movies, and a few DVDs.  I
paid for them.  I can play them whenever I want (well, I'm not sure
that the Beta VCR still works).

 > Please tell us if you'd ever consider paying for this content and, if
 > so, under what circumstances.

Certainly, any content I pay for shoudn't have commercials interspersed.
I may be willing to pay for some stuff, but I'm not going to pay for it
twice.

Bill
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Thomas Charron

On 3/26/07, Tom Buskey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

On 3/25/07, Ben Scott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> On 3/25/07, Thomas Charron <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > The problem is, someone needs to stand up and say 'this ain't
> > right'.
>   This hearkens back to the wireless phone carrier subthread I
> accidentally started.
>   As long as people continue to subscribe to the service as it is now,
> DirectTV Inc has no incentive to change their ways.
>   If people refused to pay for service they couldn't record
> themselves, I can guarantee this problem would disappear.
As a TiVo owner and former DirecTV subscriber, I couldn't figure out why
people would get a DirecTiVo instead of a stand alone.
The standalone lets you transfer between 2 TiVos or to a PC that you can
burn to DVD.  The standalone can run HME java apps and view weather, movie
listings, etc.
The stand alone is free with a 1 year subscription up front.  The DirecTiVo
has a slightly smaller subscription.
Neither can do HDTV.  Of course, the Series 3 can.  $700 + subscription +
cable card.  No HME or HME or TiVo2TiVo or TiVo2PC.


 Actually, DirecTV was using Tivo in their first HD DVR.  Originally,
this is the box I wanted to get, but was informed they no longer
support them.  So I went to get one 3rd party.  But within a year,
they'll be worthless for DirecTV HD content, as they are migrating to
MPEG4 video streams rom MPEG2, and the older DirecTivo boxes cannot
handle it.  I was sad.


Of course, my next TiVo will be MythTV.  Anyone got a way for them to play
.TiVo files directly?  Or script Myth to run tivodecode to convert to mpg
before playing? :-)


 Are you speaking of Tivo2Go encrypted/signed files?  The unencrypted
files can be batch translated, not sure about on the fly conversion,
however.

--
-- Thomas
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Tom Buskey

On 3/26/07, Thomas Charron <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


On 3/26/07, Tom Buskey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Of course, my next TiVo will be MythTV.  Anyone got a way for them to
play
> .TiVo files directly?  Or script Myth to run tivodecode to convert to
mpg
> before playing? :-)

  Are you speaking of Tivo2Go encrypted/signed files?  The unencrypted
files can be batch translated, not sure about on the fly conversion,
however.



Some people are doing this with MacOSX:

curl -k --digest -u tivo:{MAK} -c cookies.txt "{tivo2go url}" | tivodecode
-m {MAK} -- - | mplayer -vf pp=lb -cache 32768 -

I haven't been able to get the curl part working.  tivodecode works great
though.
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Travis Roy


I'm curious...is there a model in which you'd consider paying for
content?  The model could have reasonable prices and fair/non-existent
copy-protection or whatever else you'd like.


If it's stuff that I can get OTA with an antenna (If I didn't live in  
the sticks), then no, I wouldn't pay for it. I'd setup myth to record  
it and auto strip the commercials. So for me there's no difference  
between this and downloading the torrent.


As far as "pay" channels (being cable and premium channels). I would  
only pay for episodes if they came in the same quality as if I bought  
the DVD box set or greater, and/or I got a coupon/voucher for the DVD  
box set when it came out. Then I would pay around $30/season or $2/ 
episode.




Please tell us if you'd ever consider paying for this content and, if
so, under what circumstances.

Regards,

--kevin
--
GnuPG ID: B280F24E  Never could stand that dog.
alumni.unh.edu!kdc   -- Tom Waits
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Tom Buskey

On 3/26/07, Ben Scott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


On 3/26/07, Tom Buskey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> As a TiVo owner and former DirecTV subscriber, I couldn't figure out why
> people would get a DirecTiVo instead of a stand alone.

  As everyone else has said, better quality.  The DTiVo units stored
the digital MPEG stream right from the satellite feed.  No loss of
quality by compressing, decompressing, compressing again.  Also, at
the time, the DTiVo was the only TiVo on the market that had dual
tuners.

> The standalone lets you transfer between 2 TiVos or to a PC that you can
> burn to DVD.  The standalone can run HME java apps and view weather,
movie
> listings, etc.

  When the DTiVo first came out, none of that was available on the
TiVo platform.  All it did was record shows and play them back.  When
TiVo's HMO (Home Media Option, the name from back when it was a
pay-extra option) was first announced, a lot of people ass-umed that
DirecTV's promises of support meant something.

  Now that DirecTV has finished shafting all their the DirecTiVo
customers, they know better, of course.  Hindsight and all that.

> Of course, my next TiVo will be MythTV.  Anyone got a way for them to
play
> .TiVo files directly?  Or script Myth to run tivodecode to convert to
mpg
> before playing? :-)

  Why not just do a one-time batch tivodecode of the .tivo files to
.mpeg files?  That's what I did.




You lose the metadata that the TiVos use.  My wife likes having that when
she pulls stuff from Galleon on the server to the TiVo.
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Kevin D. Clark

Seth Cohn writes:

> These days, I do without cable OR satellite.  Considering the high
> prices I paid for both,  I miss neither. But how do you watch TV? I
> hear you asking... Antenna?  No.
> 
> I download each and every show I wish to watch (and I want for
> nothing I can't get), getting not only high quality recordings, but
> with commercials already removed.

I'm curious...is there a model in which you'd consider paying for
content?  The model could have reasonable prices and fair/non-existent
copy-protection or whatever else you'd like.

Please tell us if you'd ever consider paying for this content and, if
so, under what circumstances.

Regards,

--kevin
-- 
GnuPG ID: B280F24E  Never could stand that dog.
alumni.unh.edu!kdc   -- Tom Waits
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Travis Roy


I download each and every show I wish to watch (and I want for nothing
I can't get),
getting not only high quality recordings, but with commercials  
already removed.

Finding new shows is trivial (thanks to many diverse sites devoted to
tracking the shows),
and with thousands of others doing the same, the bittorrents are
reasonably fast,
and I usually can expect to have a show well within 24 hours of  
it's broadcast.


I'm transition to this solution, but the legality of it is debatable.  
I'm still trying to figure out a good working solution to  
automatically download the shows I like without getting dupes or  
incorrect versions (like a french version for example).


I also can't get a few shows I enjoy. Such as This Old House,  
Gardening By The Yard, and a few others. I have come across a friend  
with a hacked DirecTiVo that will pull the shows for me, but I'm  
still losing out on one HBO show I enjoy.




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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Ben Scott

On 3/26/07, Tom Buskey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

As a TiVo owner and former DirecTV subscriber, I couldn't figure out why
people would get a DirecTiVo instead of a stand alone.


 As everyone else has said, better quality.  The DTiVo units stored
the digital MPEG stream right from the satellite feed.  No loss of
quality by compressing, decompressing, compressing again.  Also, at
the time, the DTiVo was the only TiVo on the market that had dual
tuners.


The standalone lets you transfer between 2 TiVos or to a PC that you can
burn to DVD.  The standalone can run HME java apps and view weather, movie
listings, etc.


 When the DTiVo first came out, none of that was available on the
TiVo platform.  All it did was record shows and play them back.  When
TiVo's HMO (Home Media Option, the name from back when it was a
pay-extra option) was first announced, a lot of people ass-umed that
DirecTV's promises of support meant something.

 Now that DirecTV has finished shafting all their the DirecTiVo
customers, they know better, of course.  Hindsight and all that.


Of course, my next TiVo will be MythTV.  Anyone got a way for them to play
.TiVo files directly?  Or script Myth to run tivodecode to convert to mpg
before playing? :-)


 Why not just do a one-time batch tivodecode of the .tivo files to
.mpeg files?  That's what I did.

--
"One day I feel I'm ahead of the wheel / And the next it's rolling over me"
 -- Rush, "Far Cry"
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Seth Cohn

> As a TiVo owner and former DirecTV subscriber, I couldn't figure
> out why people would get a DirecTiVo instead of a stand alone.


I had/have both, I was an early tivolutionary, telling people how much
it changed my life, and encouraging them to get one... and also had
Comcast's (crappy) DVR for some time. (Which one day soon will get
tivoized, according to the industry)

These days, I do without cable OR satellite.  Considering the high
prices I paid for both,  I miss neither. But how do you watch TV? I
hear you asking... Antenna?  No.

I download each and every show I wish to watch (and I want for nothing
I can't get),
getting not only high quality recordings, but with commercials already removed.
Finding new shows is trivial (thanks to many diverse sites devoted to
tracking the shows),
and with thousands of others doing the same, the bittorrents are
reasonably fast,
and I usually can expect to have a show well within 24 hours of it's broadcast.

I've had mythtv up and running in the past with mixed success (low end
hardware doesn't run well), though lately (the last year plus), thanks
to a cheap DVD player that plays Xvid/Divx/mpg/avi/etc, I easily do
sneakernet, burning stuff onto dvds (usually dvd RWs, since I don't
usually keep most TV shows around after I watch them)
Hardware solution beat most of the software bugs (a few things don't
play on the DVD, so I laptop watch those), though I'm tired of the
sneakernet, so

Linux Media seems like an answer, finally.  I'll be installing the
next few weeks.
Once that's running, I expect between using RSS feeds of torrents I
want to want combined with the occasional 'that looks worth watching'
click&save, automatic discovery of new shows stored on network drives,
and an interface my wife should be able to use, I'll be a very happy
camper.

So one day soon hopefully, my standalone DVD players will join the 3
tivos and the VCR all sitting around unused.
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Travis Roy


As a TiVo owner and former DirecTV subscriber, I couldn't figure  
out why people would get a DirecTiVo instead of a stand alone.




Dual tuner, and "prefect" quality all the time. Even if you have a  
stand alone tivo and you set it for the highest quality there will be  
some loss.


They're still easy to hack. I have my DirecTiVo, upgraded the HD and  
I pull off shows with TyTools (to watch, convert, or burn) and have  
TiVoWeb. 
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Bill McGonigle

On Mar 26, 2007, at 09:04, Tom Buskey wrote:

As a TiVo owner and former DirecTV subscriber, I couldn't figure  
out why

people would get a DirecTiVo instead of a stand alone.


I'm building my MythTV box after having a Dish DVR-508 for about 3- 
ish years.  The two advantages it had were:


1) $199, 3 years ago.  This was before they instituted a "DVR-fee" so  
it beat the pants off TiVo on cost.
2) I pull raw MPEG-2 streams off of my hard drive and onto DVD.   
There's no quality loss between the uplink station and my DVD player.


The downside is the software sucks so hard I'm building a MythTV box  
despite the fact that recordings will be of lower quality.  Nothing  
like a DVR that crashes to ameliorate the WAF of the MythTV box.  The  
hardware also is replete with cold solder joints which I need to put  
a heat gun to once in a while.  I'll probably still use it as a  
receiver, with the hard drive decommissioned for noise control.


I was going to buy a Conditional Access Module to decrypt the DVB-S  
stream with my SmartCard straight into MythTV but the one vendor has  
apparently been sued off the market (on 'hacking' grounds, but it  
also managed to eliminate legitimate competition).  Analog appears to  
be the best of poor choices in our environment of regulatory  
capture.  If I payed a bit more attention in EE class I could  
probably find an old receiver and extricate the CAM from it, tying it  
into the linux DVB code.  That's a project for perhaps after analog  
is working.  Anyway, the point is the integrated units give you that  
quality without taking any EE classes.  I hear a new TiVo can take a  
cablecard - I haven't looked into what's possible there with  
satellite, but I haven't heard anybody talking about it either.


-Bill

-
Bill McGonigle, Owner   Work: 603.448.4440
BFC Computing, LLC  Home: 603.448.1668
[EMAIL PROTECTED]   Cell: 603.252.2606
http://www.bfccomputing.com/Page: 603.442.1833
New Blog: http://blog.bfccomputing.com/
VCard: http://bfccomputing.com/vcard/bill.vcf


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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-26 Thread Tom Buskey

On 3/25/07, Ben Scott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


On 3/25/07, Thomas Charron <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> The problem is, someone needs to stand up and say 'this ain't
> right'.

  This hearkens back to the wireless phone carrier subthread I
accidentally started.

  As long as people continue to subscribe to the service as it is now,
DirectTV Inc has no incentive to change their ways.

  If people refused to pay for service they couldn't record
themselves, I can guarantee this problem would disappear.




As a TiVo owner and former DirecTV subscriber, I couldn't figure out why
people would get a DirecTiVo instead of a stand alone.

The standalone lets you transfer between 2 TiVos or to a PC that you can
burn to DVD.  The standalone can run HME java apps and view weather, movie
listings, etc.

The stand alone is free with a 1 year subscription up front.  The DirecTiVo
has a slightly smaller subscription.

Neither can do HDTV.  Of course, the Series 3 can.  $700 + subscription +
cable card.  No HME or HME or TiVo2TiVo or TiVo2PC.

Of course, my next TiVo will be MythTV.  Anyone got a way for them to play
.TiVo files directly?  Or script Myth to run tivodecode to convert to mpg
before playing? :-)
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-25 Thread Jon 'maddog' Hall
On Sun, 2007-03-25 at 22:49 -0500, Nigel Stewart wrote:
> > "Internet Radio has been sentenced to death." -- Doc Searls
> 
> "The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems
> will slip through your fingers."
> 
> --- Princess Leia Organa
>  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Leia_Organa

The difference is that "Princess Leia" and "Tarkin" are fiction, and the
fact they are trying to kill Internet Radio is real life.

md

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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-25 Thread Nigel Stewart



"Internet Radio has been sentenced to death." -- Doc Searls


"The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems
will slip through your fingers."

--- Princess Leia Organa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Leia_Organa
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-25 Thread Ted Roche
Jon 'maddog' Hall wrote:

> Now if a rogue media outlet started making good media (movies,
> songs, etc.) available at reasonable prices, playable on any device and
> also did not block you from recording them for personal use, that might
> give some competition.  On the other hand they probably could not
> deliver them over any of the standard delivery vehicles, since those
> were already sabotaged by the monopolies, and we would probably as a
> society have to develop a whole new way of financing the creation of the
> new movies and songs.  Hmmm...isn't there that thing called the
> Internet?

Tried that. The oligopolies conspired with the government to kill it. It
was Internet Radio:

"Internet Radio has been sentenced to death." -- Doc Searls

http://www.linuxjournal.com/node/1000196

-- 
Ted Roche
Ted Roche & Associates, LLC
http://www.tedroche.com
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Re: Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-25 Thread Jon 'maddog' Hall
On Sun, 2007-03-25 at 14:35 -0400, Ben Scott wrote:
> On 3/25/07, Thomas Charron <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > The problem is, someone needs to stand up and say 'this ain't
> > right'.
> 
>   This hearkens back to the wireless phone carrier subthread I
> accidentally started.
> 
>   As long as people continue to subscribe to the service as it is now,
> DirectTV Inc has no incentive to change their ways.
> 
>   If people refused to pay for service they couldn't record
> themselves, I can guarantee this problem would disappear.
> 
Ben,

I agree, but I think that another part of the problem is the fact that
there are monopolies.

Sure, in some places there is competition to "DirectTV", but in other
places there is not.  No cable, no OTA.  And to say "no" to DirectTV
means that you not only can't tape the show, you can't see it either.

And even if DirectTV is not a "monopoly" in the area, the fact that the
broadcasting industry as a whole is, and the media industry as a whole
is a monopoly (and the government lets them do that) makes the whole
thing an "either/or".

Then kids cry and wives (or husbands) beat you up.  "It takes a
village" (or at least a house) to understand and feel this way.

Now if a rogue media outlet started making good media (movies,
songs, etc.) available at reasonable prices, playable on any device and
also did not block you from recording them for personal use, that might
give some competition.  On the other hand they probably could not
deliver them over any of the standard delivery vehicles, since those
were already sabotaged by the monopolies, and we would probably as a
society have to develop a whole new way of financing the creation of the
new movies and songs.  Hmmm...isn't there that thing called the
Internet?

md

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Why we can't record our TV shows (was: In case you have not seen it.....Linux Media Center)

2007-03-25 Thread Ben Scott

On 3/25/07, Thomas Charron <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

The problem is, someone needs to stand up and say 'this ain't
right'.


 This hearkens back to the wireless phone carrier subthread I
accidentally started.

 As long as people continue to subscribe to the service as it is now,
DirectTV Inc has no incentive to change their ways.

 If people refused to pay for service they couldn't record
themselves, I can guarantee this problem would disappear.

 Alas, getting that to happen appears to be very difficult.  Part of
it is because most people just don't understand the technology.  Part
of it is because closed software is so common that most people don't
even know there is another way.  But mostly, it's because most people
are sheep, and do what they are told.  The media cartel says they're
not allowed to do what they want, so the sheep say "Okay, here's my
money anyway."

 Of course, I note that the parent poster is still a subscriber.  I'm
sure his reasoning is that he alone cannot make a difference, and he'd
rather take what he can get.  I've used the same reasoning myself in
other matters.  It may even be true.  But none of that changes the
fact that it ultimately guarantees we lose...

--
"One day I feel I'm ahead of the wheel / And the next it's rolling over me"
 -- Rush, "Far Cry"
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