Has the "Broadcast Flag" Gone into Effect Early?

[James Fee]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/575/has_the_broadcast' target='_blank'>http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/575/has_the_broadcast</a><br /><br /></div><i>"We received an interesting email after the broadcast of 24 on FOX. According to our reader Kesey: “I recorded 24 this evening on FOX-HD (Comcast, Chicago Area) and low and behold, I was unable to Pause, Rewind, or Fast Forward any of the show! I have not heard of this at all, but it seems as though they've found a way to restrict what a DVR can do. On the other hand, my TiVo, recorded the same show, on FOX's non-HD channel and I was able to use all of the DVR functions.”</i><br /><br />Interesting. I've heard of no other people complaining about this, but it sure wouldn't surprise me. Frankly it scares me to think one won't be able to fast forward or even pause a show. What the heck is the point of a DVR? Hopefully it is just a problem with the Comcast DVR or just an internet hoax since <a href="http://www.gadgetmadness.com/archives/20050201-comcastmotorola_6412_dvr_hd_broadcast_restrictions.php">GadgetMadness.com</a> has the exact same quote from a totally different reader. Comments at GadgetMaddess seem to reflex that other users of the HD-DVR were able to FF and pause so maybe this is just a bug.

[Wayde]

For my part, I use a Scientific Atlanta 8300 HD DVR (w/ Rogers, Canada) and it allowed me to watch my recordings of 24 (HD) from Fox with full DVR functionality.

[Wayde]

Found this on an MSN page:

Will the broadcast flag break my TiVo?

No. The FCC's ruling specifically requires that current consumer gear not be disabled by the broadcast flag. If you use TiVo or ReplayTV now, and you can figure out how to wire an analog line from a future digital TV tuner to your current personal video recorder (the required adapters will be selling like hotcakes), you'll still be able to record and play shows as usual. The trade-off is that your recordings won't be in the new high-definition format—they'll be converted to the same analog-signal-quality your TiVo now records.

What about the new high-definition digital recorders? Will they allow me to time-shift shows, skip commercials, or pause live broadcasts?

Yes. One of the biggest myths about the broadcast flag is that TV networks are pushing the flag to end time-shifting and to force viewers to watch the commercials. In reality, the flag's purpose is to stop file-sharing, not time-shifting.