Net Tech Term: broadcast flag

[Keefe]

A bit-sized file that is sent along with a digital television transmission that prohibits high-definition digital video from being recorded in its high-resolution format. The intent of the broadcast flag is to prevent the files from being shared over P2P networks, violating the digital content's copyright. According to FCC regulations, the broadcast flag only will affect traditional through-the-air television programming and not cable or satellite television. The FCC, in November 2003, mandated that all digital television devices sold after July 2005 must incorporate the broadcast flag technology.

[vee_ess]

With that and HDMI connections, it doesn't look like there will be any way of effectively distributing.

there isn't a way that this could be circumvented with a device with linux ported to it? it seems like there would be a groupthat would likely do this for at least one HDTV device...making it a simple edit to a source (maybe a config) file or two (or applying a patch when compiling) for the video to be recorded. though if it could be implemented at a hardware level, that would make it much more difficult. would something like the HDTV version of deCSS (that is, decrypting the signal...) be possible. that would make things a lot easier.

[vee_ess]

Most HD protection is going to have hardware implementation, but the biggest deterant from file sharing with HD content is its massive size. In uncompressed form, HD video requires about 12 GB per hour, and when using MPEG-2 compression it requires about 9 GB per hour. HDMI connections also include the sound which will support (AC-3) Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital 7.1 standards. We'll need ethernet based internet for that to come pretty quick.

[Dragon]

what about my allinwonder card, i plug the cable directly into it if i was to capture, would it affect that do you think?

yeah i just cabbage-patched back to august, i know.

[StinkyMojo]

Originally Posted by Dragon

yeah i just cabbage-patched back to august, i know.

[Jason425]

gj answering his question btw...

I have absolutley no idea what he's talking about.. so I didn't say anything...

[vee_ess]

Dragon, your ATi card will not accept the type of digital video connections that are capable of supporting broadcast flags. Right now you are able to record whatever you want, legal or not. Years down the road, when all signals come down on HDMI and other similiar connections, you'll need some sort of conversion/modulator equipment in order to see stuff from those signals. That equipment will prevent you from even seeing protected equipment through your ATi, before it can even record it.

[Jason425]

just read the definition: @ broadcast flag...