Wayne Stallwood ALUGlist@digimatic.plus.com
On Sun, 2006-02-26 at 14:46 +0000, MJ Ray wrote:
I think they can write video files to network storage with the right settings. http://www.dm500.co.uk/
I know very little about Sat TV (the last time I had it was with the old analogue systems)
Oops. I thought there was a T variation on sale there for Freeview. My fault: I remember that site name, but it's not the best one about the dreamboxes. Try http://www.dream-multimedia-tv.de/english/products_overview.php for a list that includes the terrestial receivers.
Answering the other questions:
Does it work with freesat, what exactly are the limitations with Sky, is it incapable of receiving sky channels even with a sky card, or just premium and pay per view content ?
It'll work with FTA sat (not freesatfromsky) and the limitations I can think of are:
1. five and the C4/E4/More4/FilmFour group are not available because of their questionable encryption contract with Sky; 2. the EPG data is limited to now and next because Sky boxes use non-DVB-standard data, which all seems to be generated by Sky because of their questionable EPG contracts; 3. you can't subscribe to most UK channels because they're only available to Sky card users and Sky won't produce a standard Conditional Access Module for their service, so Sky cards can only be used in Sky-approved receivers (= crap).
On the plus side, you may be able to get locked channels illegally more easily than with a Sky box (I don't), you can get programme data other ways (such as bleb.org) and most UK channels aren't worth the inflated subscription fees anyway, so it's better than the Sky+ monthly charges. If you get bored, it's easier to add a second LNB or a motor to go European, if you have a Linux-based or at least DiSEqC/DVB-standard set.
I'd imagine the issue is something to do with the sky cards, Sky probably licence the decryption technology to partners and if you are not a partner you can't have the sky card slot on the front of the box. They are probably concerned that if the technology is provided in a more open format then it will be more easily cracked, not saying that security through obscurity is a good thing, but some people still depend on it....
That's pretty much it. There's a bit of discussion about Freesat in news:uk.tech.digital-tv just now which has added some new info to what I already knew.
At the very least wouldn't such a box be able to save pay per view content and then facilitate it's transfer to something that could either view it again or redistribute it ?
Well, yes, but timeshifting and so on is not illegal, except when technological measures have to be broken to make it possible. This is one of the problems I described to MPs recently. See http://mjr.towers.org.uk/blog/2006/gplv3#apig-drm and http://mjr.towers.org.uk/writing/consult-apig-drm - help wanted.
Perhaps Sky should offer a black box module (perhaps in the shape of a CAM card) so that Sky facilities can be added to other hardware.
No perhaps about it, in my opinion.
Thanks,