So...What's to Stop Output from S3 in Other Formats?

[TiVotion]

Sorry if this question has been asked before, but...

The Series 3 will not yet be able to use TiVo to Go or Multi Room Viewing due to TiVo not being able to get CableLabs approval with these features in place, but since outputs are outputs, what's to stop people from just outputting recordings to other devices, like DVRs or stand alone DVD recorders? Aren't all outputs on TiVos active at all times, regardless of if anything is connected to them or not? For example, my Pioneer box with TiVo will output to VCR, as well as allow INPUT from a camcorder or other device.

I don't fully understand how the whole CableLabs and DRM thing works these days. So the whole "digital rights managment" issue isn't a concern if content is exported in analog format, as long as it's not being output in digital format? Why do none of these organizations seem to be up in arms that you can still get analog content out of a TiVo simply by being smart enough to hook up some type of device to one of the outputs (output to VCR is even a "feature")? It's still copyrighted content, isn't it?

[albrandwood]

The Series 3 will not yet be able to use TiVo to Go or Multi Room Viewing due to TiVo not being able to get CableLabs approval with these features in place, but since outputs are outputs, what's to stop people from just outputting recordings to other devices, like DVRs or stand alone DVD recorders?

Nothing ... well ... except I don't think any HD content will be available over RF/Composite/SVideo outputs (which would preclude any normal VCR etc)
Aren't all outputs on TiVos active at all times, regardless of if anything is connected to them or not? For example, my Pioneer box with TiVo will output to VCR, as well as allow INPUT from a camcorder or other device.
yes/no ... the SD outputs will probably not have any output whilst HD content is playing...

I don't fully understand how the whole CableLabs and DRM thing works these days. So the whole "digital rights managment" issue isn't a concern if content is exported in analog format, as long as it's not being output in digital format?
Correct...
Why do none of these organizations seem to be up in arms that you can still get analog content out of a TiVo simply by being smart enough to hook up some type of device to one of the outputs (output to VCR is even a "feature")? It's still copyrighted content, isn't it?
Because in most cases, its only SDTV that is available to analog sources ...
Also, currently, you are legally allowed to record to VCR for personal playback at a later time ... The issue with the DRM, is that Digital feeds from Digital Cable, can be placed online for ANYONE to download a copy of the digital content as an exact (rather than an approximate) copy of the original broadcast.
Besides, given a choice, they would love to block _any_ transfer, however, they can only use the DRM ... which only protects Digital data :-D

@

[jfh3]

The "Save to VCR" function is apparently still active, so you will be able to record the output signal. But it won't be a true digital copy, which is what all the CableLabs fuss is about.

As for your question on analog vs. digital - please don't give them any ideas. :)