Here's how ATSC 3 broadcast TV DRM reduces consumer choice

VIDEO INDEX:
00:00 - Intro
00:57 - Supporter Thank You's
01:30 - Broadcaster's announcement of new tuners
01:53 - Panasonic TVs
02:28 - ADTH USB Dongle
03:35 - What a DRM free world looks like
05:32 - Where's the promised support?
08:53 - File an FCC Comment!
09:59 - Conclusion

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[rogerf]

All the ATSC3 broadcasters here in central Florida DID NOT turn off encryption before, during and after the last 2 hurricanes. One of the arguments these people made was that during emergencies, encryption would be turned off. If a hurricane is not an emergency, what the heck is?

[chumbawumba]

**ANY APPLICATION OF DRM IN ANY FORM IS ANTI-CONSUMER**

[YokiBrewster]

Hi lon! I’ve been subscribed years and years. And sometimes bud it just makes my day to hear your classic intro! And seeing you do what you enjoy🎉

[schoolofwonders]

I signed the petition and have uploaded it to my community online a server of around 2, 000 people who I hope will sign it. Long Live FREE TV!

[smccrode]

In the context of the Communications Act and the FCC's mandate that broadcasters serve the "public interest, convenience, and necessity, " the primary focus has traditionally been on ensuring that broadcast content is accessible to the widest possible audience without any special equipment or subscriptions. DRM limits that and is detrimental to serving the public.

[flaxj]

Can we just file a class action lawsuit to get the DRM dropped on the ATSC 3.0 Stations?

[mrpedrodrodriguezsr]

Lon, you should include petitions, to the FTC and Congress! I have already summited your form to the FCC, but we should be pressuring others in the Government. More pressure on the Government can mean a better and quicker solution.

[PCUSE]

I can see DRM on one subchannel for 'special events and first run movies" like ON-TV and Spectrum was in the 1980s OTA. That being said, most channels should be free and clear

[andrewminutillo]

@LonSeidman keep up the great work. I am so disheartened by the DRM on ATSC 3. I've been looking forward to this new more robust signal for almost 7 years now, and maybe being able to switch to indoor antennas. For the most part, the ATSC 1 signal is fine, but there are a few channels that are prone to interference, and that is not an issue on the ATSC 3 channels. The problem is the few devices that can decrypt the DRM stink. As I write this I am in the process of returning the Zinwell box I just purchased on sale, because the IR remote control conflicts with the TVs remote control and there is some freezing happening when I watch--maybe not coincidentally I saw quite a bit of freezing when watching encrypted channels. I already purchased and returned the ADTH box when it first came out. Zapperbox is too much money for a non-network tuner, and I'm not buying new TVs, so I guess I will live with a little interference on ATSC 1 and give up the dream of all clear TV. This DRM thing is the pits.

[WaynoGur]

I live in Tucson. All the channels are encrypted. My HDHomeRun is basically a paper weight.

My Zapperbox works, but as you said, it needs an internet connection, rendering it useless in times of an emergency.

[davidjernigan]

ATSC 3.0 will never have widespread adoption or deployment with encryption

[igeekone]

Ditto on the signal quality. 3.0 may very well be the standard that everyone, even with a little indoor antenna will be able to get these channels. It's important that these channels are not locked down because of an archaic business model.

[jeffreyswanson]

OTA with DRM and required internet? No way no how. Ever !

[GameSack]

The DRM really sucks. I have that Zapperbox thing. The firmware updated and I could not receive some channels because the Zapperbox would not resolve the DRM, even though it was connected to the internet. I had to factory reset the thing and then I shut off auto-updates. Also I'm noticing that ATSC 3 looks no better than ATSC 1. It even has the same compression breakup and artifacts. One channel is broadcasting in HDR but it's fake injected HDR since no TV shows have real HDR applied.

[aramb]

In the Boston market, the only unencrypted ATSC3 station is WGBH's main channel. All the other ATSC3 stations are encrypted.

[robertoney]

DRM is a form of control for the broadcasters. In the future, it can be used as a form of subscription tv.

[raymondmartin]

I have the GT media too, which works
with mine, but as you said DRM is
locked out. 😮

[GilmerJohn]

One of the carrots the FCC dangled before the broadcasters to get digital TV going was right to encrypt one or more sub-channels. Few, if any, broadcasters too advantage of this. I suspect that consumers will decide that if I have to pay for OTA TV I might as well pay for a dish or cable and get a zillion channels.

[ericB]

This should’ve been created in a free manner just like the original over the air. The only benefit to providers is that they have targeted ads, which should be huge enough.

[dpt]

I don't see how any sunset date can be put into place with the shape that it is in. Awful.