Zapperbox products do not work with Channels DVR, and as I wrote above they probably never will. Zapperbox DVR and client boxes are a self-contained system designed to comply with NEXTGEN TV consortium security rules
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Yesterday i got a model, Converter X1, it with offline DRM function, also atsc3.0 channels function well, for other function how to test, i need more time to test the DVR function.
In STL as well, I have the HDHomerun 4k tuner but never check, are the 3 stations now broadcasting in 4k? I found them hard to come in with them all being on one tower
I actually don’t know! I get channels 102.1, 130.1, and 111.1 but my 4K TV doesn’t indicate if they’re 4K or not. Maybe the TV is up converting? Both the 3.0 and 1.0 versions show 3840x2160/60p
Theres no OTA 4K channels out there bar a few low powered ones in Idaho so...I'm not too sure what you're talking about
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Nobody is broadcasting 4k, it's all upscaled at the headend before.
I imagine this is similar to BluRay DRM ... keys are loaded into ROM at manufacture, with the ability to update/modify/replace/revoke keys at future dates through internet updates.
(I also believe that it will not be long before physical devices are hacked to expose their embedded keys in the same way that BD was to enable third-party use.)
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Embedded keys that have a finite lifetime and will cease to function unless updated via online connection to the mothership. (In terms of days/weeks/months and not years). Any leaked key is blacklisted and provider of said hardware is SOL.
Agree, the average viewer isn't going to mess with antennas at all, period. While NEXTGEN TV is a superior system for reception, many of the current NEXTGEN TV stations are running on low power stations so their coverage isn't as good as their sister ATSC-1 stations. Thus an antenna is still required in most areas for NEXTGEN TV.
Also, many NEXTGEN stations are hosted by competitive broadcasters because, for many areas, there are not enough open frequencies available to satisfy everyone who wants NEXTGEN licenses. Most stations will have to just convert their current primary ATSC-1 transmitters or broadcast from un desirable low power transmitters.
And I have to wonder about the value of OTA television in 5 years when there will be even LESS people willing to mess with digital tuners and antennas, vs. just getting the same content through streaming boxes.
In 5 years, I don't think there will be enough viewers to sustain this technology. And what content will they provide? I can't find one station, currently broadcasting over air that can't be received with a streaming device. My own antenna is becoming LESS critical to have.
So in 5 years, it's my prediction that OTA will only support those who can't afford the internet, much less DRM services.
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I can't imagine it will ever work without an antenna.
Paper Clip.
Technically, an antenna.
LOL. I think he means outdoor antenna.
I can't pick up one ATSC 1.0 station in my market (60 miles away). But I get all ATSC 3.0 stations with a small attic antenna. That's why it was a shame when one-by-one they DRMed. Fox held out until last week.
Strangely I am a lot closer to another market in the opposite direction and can pick up the major stations there, but the weather and sports are not for me.
I had my antenna pointed 170 degrees from the ATSC 3 stations and I still picked them up strongly with an attic antenna.
Silly.
You're not accounting for the most important factor, though - cost. Sure, I can find several different ways to stream all (most?) of my local channels. But they all cost money that way. Broadcast is free. That's the whole point - anyone can receive television regardless of (1) desire to pay for cable or streaming or (2) their socioeconomic status. But the big media companies don't want free watchers of their content anymore.
The ADTH NEXTGEN TV USB is a fairly inexpensive usb tuner is due to come on the market. One end plugs into the antenna and the other into a usb on an android device (Shield, Firestick, etc.). It will have its own android app. I hate to drop channels, but want my DRM channels. Do you think there is any way channels could recognize this tuner and utilize it?
No idea about that, but why bother when it only has 1 tuner? Also, Nextgen TV so far has been pretty much a scam until the patent issues are worked out. After that, it becomes a political issue, which could make things worse.
Any source with an app should be able to be captured by ADBTuner or AH4C, and therefore be integrated into Channels. No, it won't be out of the box and easy like with other stuff, but it will work and won't have DRM in the end-result streams and recordings.
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And expect it to be nerfed very sufficiently if it ever comes to market. No way on earth The Powers That Be will allow a device that can be used to remove DRM from a broadcast and potentially be rebroadcast and/or recorded.
That requires internet connection means that if you are caught being naughty with the dongle then your decryption keys are revoked and your device bricked remotely. Yes, that is all built in to the DRM scheme. Down to the ability to invalidate any recorded DRM program that the broadcaster or rights owner decides you shouldn't have access to anymore.
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