[NTLUG:Discuss] Re: Discuss Digest, Vol 24, Issue 4

[tr_data1]

>As for the flag - there's no way to charge for free TV if you watch it
>off the air.  To encrypt the picture would break every TV in the US. 
>Beyond that?  Well, with 90%+ of households using some non-OTA 
>form of TV it's not a huge issue at the FCC level.

IIRC, the broadcast flag is not announced as a means to prevent you
from viewing the program as it airs -- the broadcaster selectively
decides if 1) you can/can't record it  2) can record but play just once
3) can record but only play up to x days later ...

The imposed flag is not supposed break the pre-flag HDTV products
(nor make them illegal to use beyond July 2005). Also, non-HDTV
broadcasting is planned to eventially be phased out. My guess is
that people will be able to buy converters (HDTV->NTSC) so they
can still use their old TVs.
=TR=