Transfers

[jmcmanus]

It would seem that we cannot transfer shows between S3's over our in house network. ANyone know anything about this?

Jim

[elrcastor]

search on it, but it's a CableLabs approval issue, there's no ttg/mrv/tcb

[geekmedic]

I've heard that TTG may be coming in a future software update. We'll see.

[geekmedic]

I just read an interesting article that explains why there is no TTG option.

When content is sent by the cable provider, it is encrypted. Once it gets to the receiver, it is decrypted by the CableCARD, then re-encrypted by a common handshake to the receiver/TV/tuner, which then decrypts it.

So, in order to implement TTG, it must have a way of storing this with encryption and making it ONLY available on the unit it was transferred to. Of course, this does not have any mention whatsoever of copyright issues.

[classicsat]

The content is encrypted when recorded to the HDD with TiVo's encryption scheme. CableLabs (the party essentialy reposible for disallowing trasnfers) thinks that is good ebough for them, if the content is kept in the box.

The issue is that encryption good enough to allow the content to leave the box, and likely is there a selective way to control what content is trasnferrable?

[megazone]

And, despite the conspiracy crackpots who have posted, Cable Labs is NOT out to block all features like this. And they do NOT have any fundamental objection to content leaving the box. They've already approved a system for Microsoft. And they are working well with TiVo. The issue is just that they need to evaluate every aspect of TiVos system, both MRV and TTG, to certify that it satisfies their requirements. The folks at TiVo have told me that Cable Labs has been very good to work with. So the people who have been waving the torches and pitchforks, and pronouncing doom, need to chill.

[jfh3]

And they are working well with TiVo. The issue is just that they need to evaluate every aspect of TiVos system, both MRV and TTG, to certify that it satisfies their requirements. The folks at TiVo have told me that Cable Labs has been very good to work with.

This is all well and good, but it appears the concern is still warranted. CableLabs has had multiple opportunities to offer their thoughts on the matter and/or educate us on their processes over the last 10 days and refused every opportunity, both publically and privately, instead directing all requests for comment back to Tivo. One CableLabs employee asked me "If I could convince you that our process was technically sound, fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory, and that we were actually helping Tivo build a better product, would your bias change?" I told him I didn't think I was biased, took him up on his offer, and haven't heard anything back.

I used to think that the "Cable Labs is the enemy" line was unwarranted, but am beginning to believe that although they may not be the enemy, they certainly don't seem to be acting like a friend either. You would think CL would want as many people as possible to understand their position and concerns, but they don't seem to care. That's too bad.

[megazone]

CL cannot comment on processes with systems they are working on. Vendors would crucify them. They cannot talk about anything that is going on with a vendor, such as TiVo. Only the vendor can talk about their products. That's simple business. No vendor wants CableLabs blabbing about the progress, or lack thereof, on any of their products.

They also do no deal with the public at all. They're an industry group and work only with vendors, not the general public. They're not setup to field questions and issues from random end users, it isn't what they do. Any more than Intel wants to deal with inquiries from Dell PC users about a new Dell PC using Intel components.

I don't think they do care what the public thinks. Because, frankly, it just doesn't matter. They don't have to sell anything to the public. All that matters is that they can work with vendors effectively. There are countless companies and groups like CableLabs for different industries, we're just not aware of most of them. How many consumers try to contact the group that sets the HyperTransport standards? How about PCI? Or HDMI? How about Macrovision? They just don't deal with the general public because they have no reason to do so.

It doesn't matter what people think of CableLabs, because in the end it makes no difference to their process.

I used to work for a hardware vendor that produced systems for other companies as an OEM. Sometimes people called us asking what Brand X was doing, since it was kind of an open secret that we made some of their stuff. We referred all inquiries to those companies. If we told people *anything* there was hell to pay, up to and including being fired. Even if what we did *helped* a customer, some of those vendors would go nuclear and heads would roll. It was not our place to disclose or provide anything to their customers, period.