Update on content management on the Freeview HD platform - Freeview

PeterB · 09-11-2009, 11:24

On 3 September Ofcom published a letter from BBC Free to View Ltd on their proposed copy protection arrangements for High Definition (HD) content on the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) platform. In particular, the BBC asked whether a change to its multiplex licence would be required to allow it to only make HD service information available on consumer equipment, such as set top boxes, which complies with the Digital Television Group’s content management specifications.

The BBC’s original letter and Ofcom’s response can be found here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/tvlicensing/enquiry/

Ofcom confirmed to the BBC that a licence change would be needed and asked for initial comments from stakeholders on this change. We received a large number of responses from consumers, manufacturers and broadcasters.

A number of these responses raised potentially significant consumer ‘fair use’ and competition issues that were outside the scope of our original letter to stakeholders. In view of this we have decided not to approve a licence change without giving these issues further consideration. Ofcom has written to BBC Free to View Ltd setting out the areas where we would need further information before we could reconsider a change to its licence as part of any more detailed consultation.

Ofcom’s letter to the BBC can be found here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/tvlic...BBC_letter.pdf

Jmoo · 10-11-2009, 15:27

Ofcom has moved to turn down a BBC proposal to introduce more stringent copy protection on the forthcoming Freeview HD platform.

Last month, the BBC defended its controversial plan to ensure that all Freeview HD receivers will be equipped with more restrictive copy protection technology.

Acting on behalf of content owners, the corporation asked Ofcom about the possibility of compressing service information data - which the boxes need to understand TV services in the data stream - on the unencrypted HD platform.

For the approach to go ahead, the BBC needed Ofcom to change the wording of the multiplex licence to reflect the fact that this new arrangement was permitted.

Despite previously indicating that it would approve the plans, the regulator has since turned down the proposal.

In a letter sent to the BBC, Ofcom strategy and markets principle David Harrison explained that the regulator will not approve any changes to the multiplex licence without giving "further consideration" to certain key issues.

Harrison said that the watchdog reached the decision after receiving an extensive response to its consultation, which raised a "number of potentially significant consumer 'fair use' and competition issues that were not addressed in our original consultation".

However, he added that Ofcom remains "keen to support" the use of copy protection on Freeview HD, and so will consider future amendment to the licence as long as the BBC can make a sufficient case for the change.

The corporation must now fully outline the benefits of copy protection on DTT for consumers, as well as address how any "potential disadvantages" to the existing Freeview PVR market would be mitigated.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitalt...opy-plans.html

mad_dude · 10-11-2009, 18:05

Good. The platform needs to remain open. IMO.

peterhb · 10-11-2009, 19:23

Yes, but for how long ?
This looks like the thin end of the wedge.
No recording of HD on Freeview then !!

ProDave · 10-11-2009, 19:55

This also looks like more reason NOT to buy an early Freeview HD receiver.

If at some later date the BBC get their way, what guarantee is there that MK1 freeview HD receivers will continue working? What guarantee is there that they will be upgradable.

Hands in pockets and wait me thinks. Looks like a repeat of 2K only boxes might happen if we are not careful

Tassium · 10-11-2009, 20:26

The BBC want to own a "platform" and licence usage to others.

As we have seen elsewhere (!) this power allows the holder to crush competition, or at least hold it at bay for a while.

Everytime they express a need it has to be seen in this light.

ProDave · 11-11-2009, 08:30

bump

The forum index say's there's 5 replies to this post but i'm not seeing them, so this reply is just to see if it's the missing post bug again.

EDIT:

I was right, until I posted this response, just post #1 was showing. Now, after posting this reply all 7 posts show.

So it's now no longer just a "missing last post" bug, but "missing last 5 posts" bug.

Grannygrunt · 11-11-2009, 10:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProDave

bump

The forum index say's there's 5 replies to this post but i'm not seeing them, so this reply is just to see if it's the missing post bug again.

EDIT:

I was right, until I posted this response, just post #1 was showing. Now, after posting this reply all 7 posts show.

So it's now no longer just a "missing last post" bug, but "missing last 5 posts" bug.

Funny ProDave I can see them all fine here. Which browser are you using?

lstar337 · 11-11-2009, 10:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grannygrunt

Funny ProDave I can see them all fine here. Which browser are you using?

It's a DS fault granny, I have seen it happen a few times.

Jmoo · 11-11-2009, 12:18

It's because my thread has been merged with a previous thread. Didn't see it before probably because the title wasn't quite so to the point.

Paul Evans · 11-11-2009, 13:31

Also the forums have been very buggy of late. I've lost count of the number of times I have to hit F5 to get a page to load in full here.

10-11-2009, 15:27	#2
Jmoo Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,681	Ofcom rejects BBC Freeview HD copy plans Ofcom has moved to turn down a BBC proposal to introduce more stringent copy protection on the forthcoming Freeview HD platform. Last month, the BBC defended its controversial plan to ensure that all Freeview HD receivers will be equipped with more restrictive copy protection technology. Acting on behalf of content owners, the corporation asked Ofcom about the possibility of compressing service information data - which the boxes need to understand TV services in the data stream - on the unencrypted HD platform. For the approach to go ahead, the BBC needed Ofcom to change the wording of the multiplex licence to reflect the fact that this new arrangement was permitted. Despite previously indicating that it would approve the plans, the regulator has since turned down the proposal. In a letter sent to the BBC, Ofcom strategy and markets principle David Harrison explained that the regulator will not approve any changes to the multiplex licence without giving "further consideration" to certain key issues. Harrison said that the watchdog reached the decision after receiving an extensive response to its consultation, which raised a "number of potentially significant consumer 'fair use' and competition issues that were not addressed in our original consultation". However, he added that Ofcom remains "keen to support" the use of copy protection on Freeview HD, and so will consider future amendment to the licence as long as the BBC can make a sufficient case for the change. The corporation must now fully outline the benefits of copy protection on DTT for consumers, as well as address how any "potential disadvantages" to the existing Freeview PVR market would be mitigated. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitalt...opy-plans.html

09-11-2009, 11:24	#1
PeterB Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 5,283	Update on content management on the Freeview HD platform On 3 September Ofcom published a letter from BBC Free to View Ltd on their proposed copy protection arrangements for High Definition (HD) content on the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) platform. In particular, the BBC asked whether a change to its multiplex licence would be required to allow it to only make HD service information available on consumer equipment, such as set top boxes, which complies with the Digital Television Group’s content management specifications. The BBC’s original letter and Ofcom’s response can be found here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/tvlicensing/enquiry/ Ofcom confirmed to the BBC that a licence change would be needed and asked for initial comments from stakeholders on this change. We received a large number of responses from consumers, manufacturers and broadcasters. A number of these responses raised potentially significant consumer ‘fair use’ and competition issues that were outside the scope of our original letter to stakeholders. In view of this we have decided not to approve a licence change without giving these issues further consideration. Ofcom has written to BBC Free to View Ltd setting out the areas where we would need further information before we could reconsider a change to its licence as part of any more detailed consultation. Ofcom’s letter to the BBC can be found here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/tvlic...BBC_letter.pdf

10-11-2009, 18:05	#3
mad_dude Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Services: SKY, Freesat HD, Freeview 20mb. PS3,CFW PSP 60gb (320gb),Wii, Saturn Posts: 3,675	Good. The platform needs to remain open. IMO.

10-11-2009, 19:23	#4
peterhb Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 7	Yes, but for how long ? This looks like the thin end of the wedge. No recording of HD on Freeview then !!

10-11-2009, 19:55	#5
ProDave Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Northern Scottish Highlands Services: Freesat From Sky+ HD, Astra 1 / Hotbird FTA, Freeview, Freeview PVR, ADSL Posts: 7,228	This also looks like more reason NOT to buy an early Freeview HD receiver. If at some later date the BBC get their way, what guarantee is there that MK1 freeview HD receivers will continue working? What guarantee is there that they will be upgradable. Hands in pockets and wait me thinks. Looks like a repeat of 2K only boxes might happen if we are not careful

10-11-2009, 20:26	#6
Tassium Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: It's Grim Services: MK2 Interocitor Posts: 2,170	The BBC want to own a "platform" and licence usage to others. As we have seen elsewhere (!) this power allows the holder to crush competition, or at least hold it at bay for a while. Everytime they express a need it has to be seen in this light.

11-11-2009, 08:30	#7
ProDave Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Northern Scottish Highlands Services: Freesat From Sky+ HD, Astra 1 / Hotbird FTA, Freeview, Freeview PVR, ADSL Posts: 7,228	bump The forum index say's there's 5 replies to this post but i'm not seeing them, so this reply is just to see if it's the missing post bug again. EDIT: I was right, until I posted this response, just post #1 was showing. Now, after posting this reply all 7 posts show. So it's now no longer just a "missing last post" bug, but "missing last 5 posts" bug.

11-11-2009, 12:18	#10
Jmoo Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,681	It's because my thread has been merged with a previous thread. Didn't see it before probably because the title wasn't quite so to the point.

11-11-2009, 13:31	#11
Paul Evans Forum Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester, UK not EU Services: Freeview, VM w/ 20Mb BB, PS2, PS3, DS, DAB, Wii Posts: 1,513	Also the forums have been very buggy of late. I've lost count of the number of times I have to hit F5 to get a page to load in full here.