http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/...freeview-boxes

now I am wondering if my recent Freesat HD Sat receiver will no longer able to receive the (encrypted?) channels in future.

That article says freeview, apparantly freesat PVRs have DRM (rather stupid when a DVBS reciever can recieve the same channels)

In para 7 of the item it says "Bensberg said: "Freesat has DRM. Sky has DRM. Virgin has DRM built-in"

The limitation applies to HD recordings. Freesat HD recorders (and presumably Freeview ones) encyrypt the recordings with a unique key which ties playback to the box that recorded it. The transmissions are not encrypted in any way.

In terms of the Panasonic DRM-BS750 and 850 series, the HD content from the BBC and ITV allows either 0 recordings or 1 recordings from hard drive to disc.

So the rights restriction system already appears to exist and is in place.

I've not tried to play a copied blu-ray disc in another blu-ray player to see whether it would be playable or not, so not sure how far recordings are tied to just 1 machine or not.

So those who want to upload HD programmes will simply buy a generic DVB-S/S2 box. No DRM there.

Exactly, it doesnt affect piracy at all, it just removes users rights just as all DRM does.

If anyone is that concerned about it, they can record HD from BBC or ITV in non freesat mode and have no DRM at all.

Nothing new there; but I'm still mystified by some of the stuff spouted by the ORG like "people with hearing problems will be prevented from modifying their equipment to deal with their problems", because, of course, that happens all the time, doesn't it?

Deaf folk are always there with a soldering iron, or a disassembler, making their equipment better, rather than, oh I don't know, using the subtitles.

Honestly, I don't think the ORG are doing themselves any favours with their over-reaction to this, nor are some media outlets who reproduce their claims verbatim.

There's a story (which I wrote) on RegHardware about this too. Note, of course, that this is essentially the same as the system currently implemented on Freesat.

http://www.reghardware.com/2010/06/1...w_hd_controls/

Hmmm - So if you start collecting HD progs - you have a problem if you ever want to replace your HDR.

Perhaps there should be a way of transferring the key to the new kit?

If you really want to do that you're better off setting up an HTPC.