Support for DRM protected content

[Will Pittenger]

Given that WMC is dieing a slow painful death, users with cable companies that insist on DRM protection are limited to Windows 8.1 or lower. (I'm actually trapped on Windows 7 unless I upgrade to Windows 10.) However, Windows 10 already probably has all the software needed to support recording and playback of DRM content. Any chance of NextPVR allowing such recording and playback as long as the drivers and codecs are already installed? That's Mozilla's policy. Or are NextPVR's developers so against DRM they won't help at all?

[sub]

Sorry, but NextPVR is never going to have the budget required for implementing support for these CableCard DRM channels. This is about the costs of licensing and certification rather than any technical implementation issues.

Also, remember that even if I did add support for it, you'd have to live with CableLabs restrictions, ie these channels wouldn't be available to Kodi or Emby, and you'd be having to use a HDMI HDCP connection to your monitor etc.

[Will Pittenger]

Well, I am using a TV for a monitor. 9_9

[sub]

Well, I am using a TV for a monitor.

Yep, as long as you're connecting to it via HDMI, and watching TV directly in NextPVR, it'd probably meet the CableLabs rules. As I said though, we're never going have huge amount of dollars required to go down that path.

[Will Pittenger]

Have you considered recruiting the hardware manufacturers like Ceton? Given that Windows Media Center is dead, they have very little market left. If they want to sell tuner cards with CableCard support, they need programs like NextPVR. My Windows 7 machine still has WMC, but it won't last forever. I'd like something other than the cable company's DVRs and TiVo.

[sub]

Have you considered recruiting the hardware manufacturers like Ceton?

Yes, I talked to Ceton last year about the possibility. Unfortunately they weren't really interested in pursuing the option.

[mvallevand]

I am voting Never because CableCard support isn't available in Canada and so I don't want sub to have to charge anything for this development. The HDPVR works great though.

Martin

[sub]

I am voting Never because CableCard support isn't available in Canada and so I don't want sub to have to charge anything for this development.

Rest assured, if I had gone down that path, I wouldn't have started charging for NextPVR. If I'd had to collect money to fund support for cablecard DRM support, it'd have been via some optional extra plugin a users could have purchased if they needed this. Nothing would have changed for other users. There is absolutely no work happening with this though - just an idea I explored last year.

[jcole998]

Rest assured, if I had gone down that path, I wouldn't have started charging for NextPVR. If I'd had to collect money to fund support for cablecard DRM support, it'd have been via some optional extra plugin a users could have purchased if they needed this. Nothing would have changed for other users. There is absolutely no work happening with this though - just an idea I explored last year.

A wonderful idea on how to implement this type of feature! A plug-in! Now, take the optional plug-in to the next level a la Schedules Direct and after installation of the plug-in, the user would need to contact a "DRM Enabler" to get the "key" to actually switch it on. This would put the DRM access costs on the individual subscriber.

Is there someone you can contact about individual DRM subscriptions?

BTW, I voted yes.

[Will Pittenger]

Rest assured, if I had gone down that path, I wouldn't have started charging for NextPVR. If I'd had to collect money to fund support for cablecard DRM support, it'd have been via some optional extra plugin a users could have purchased if they needed this. Nothing would have changed for other users. There is absolutely no work happening with this though - just an idea I explored last year.

I'd probably pay too. WMC is acting up lately and won't download EPG data.