Channels ATSC 3.0 DRM Support

Channels DVR Server
#21

Man, that article makes me doubt Zapperbox even more. Especially this:

ZapperBox’s founder, Gopal Miglani, noted when DRM support was added that, “Our team has invented a proprietary process that enables us to field-provision content decryption in a highly secure manner. This achievement underscores the longevity of our hardware platform, the remarkable versatility of our software, and ingenuity of our team. While maintaining the security of the NEXTGEN TV ecosystem, we are committed to safeguarding our customers’ investments in their ZapperBox M1, which will stand as the unparalleled NEXTGEN TV DVR and gateway for years to come.”

It sounds like a sales pitch to fools. Field-provision content decryption?

3 Likes
#22

He must speak very carefully to maintain his NEXTGEN TV approval. Also, because marketing.

Like he says it's a closed "secure" system, and I doubt very much third-party apps like Channels DVR will ever be able to access it much less do anything with its encrypted files.

Their DVR is in the early development stages, but the CEO has posted in the TiVo Community Forum and seems to see TiVo capabilities as a benchmark target. Meanwhile, users report the tuners perform well.

1 Like
#23

I'm still convinced that by the time Nextgen TV is ready for public consumption, the OTA stations across the country will have already ditched their towers and switched to streaming over the internet.

Not sure if I want to be right or wrong about that, btw. Both scenarios have their advantages and disadvantages.

1 Like
#24

Yea, I agree, but, is there really a market big enough to support a company selling these devices? As it seems now, Nextgen TV is such a pain, why would anyone ever bother with all the technical limitations just to get their local OTA channels? (besides people like us on this forum)

Also, their prices are a bit steep IMO.

#25

Because local broadcast channels on Youtube TV, Hulu live, or cable tv cost greater than $70/month, and OTA local TV is free with the right hardware. If all you really want is local broadcast channels, those devices are a bargain.

1 Like
#26

Historically their main business has been embedded systems for TV manufacturers. The market for the Zapperbox products is certainly a smaller niche: the relatively tiny market segment that includes TiVo, HD HomeRun, and apps like Channels DVR and Plex. But if NEXTGEN TV attracts enough consumers (and that's a big "if", I agree) then Zapperbox may be the only one left standing in that segment, because the NEXTGEN TV consortium seems very hostile to gateway solutions like HD HomeRun.

#27

OTA has always been "buy a TV and turn it on". It's not that anymore. Even the current generation OTA is more than many people want to deal with (rescans and such).

Most will simply go elsewhere for entertainment. Sad really, those airwaves belong to me, not the media cartels. They should be forced to keep it "as is" as far as DRM or go elsewhere, not the other way around.

2 Likes
#28

So, has anybody actually bought a Zapperbox and successfully gotten its ATSC3.0 channels to work with Channels DVR? In St. Louis I get the ATSC3.0 versions of FOX, ABC and CW all unencrypted. CBS and NBC are encrypted, so my HDHomeRun can’t get those.

1 Like
#29

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

1 Like
#30

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.

#31

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

#32

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

#33

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

1 Like
#34

Nobody is broadcasting 4k, it's all upscaled at the headend before.

#35

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.)

3 Likes
#36

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.

#37

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.

1 Like
#38

I can't imagine it will ever work without an antenna.

#39

Paper Clip.

#40

Technically, an antenna.