Why DRM Encryption on ATSC 3.0 Is Bad

Recording over the air broadcasts is protected under the Supreme Court in the United States.

When this Supreme Court case was decided, consumers were using VCRs and VHS tapes to record Over the air NTSC broadcasts. In fact, as long as the tapes still play, a recording from many decades ago will still play today. ATSC 1.0 broadcasts can also be recorded to a universal format to be played anywhere.

If an ATSC 3.0 channel has encryption, like is the case with all of the channels on WTVJ in Miami, and channel 7 on WNYO in Buffalo, the recording will be laced with DRM. This means that playback of that file can only occur on an approved device. Essentially, a recording is tied to a device or an account. This means that if anything happened to that device, or if the company disappeared and no longer supports your account, you’re screwed. The recording that you’re entitled to from a broadcast on the public airwaves, would be unplayable, because of restrictions imposed by the broadcaster.

In order for an ATSC 3.0 device to support DRM, the device has to earn the NEXTGEN TV logo.

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South Florida and Western New York:

https://wnyovertheair.com/channels

Everywhere else:

https://www.atsc.org/nextgen-tv/deployments/

https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=atsc3

https://www.antennaweb.org

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WNY Over The Air is dedicated to providing valuable information about OTA TV in the U.S, Canada, and Mexico regarding NTSC Analog TV, ATSC 1.0, and ATSC 3.0. Western New York’s unique reception capabilities will also be featured. This channel will promote the use of OTA technologies but is not affiliated in any way with outside entities. Whether you’re just discovering the technology or have used OTA for decades, there is content here for everyone.

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