Yes we know this is not news, but you'd think it was based on the various stories around the web like this one from Yahoo Tech. We don't mean to pick on this one specifically because honestly it is a very common mistake -- although this particular article is way off as
the newer Macs do support HDCP -- but as draconian as
CableLabs and the
AACS can be, the
analog hole is still open. Now that doesn't mean these DRM requirements aren't crazy or that this protected path we always hear about is a joking matter, but it is all for naught when the HD signal hits the analog outputs -- the digital outputs do require HDCP though. This means you can watch any Blu-ray Disc or digital cable program recorded with an
ATI Digital Cable Tuner at full 1080i via VGA or component -- Blu-ray Discs can be played back at 1080p via VGA
but component doesn't support it. Now we're not trying to say this will always be the case, as both technologies support
down-rezzing via analog outputs, but as it stands now
these bits have never turned on. Now to the main point of this particular article, which is why Macs don't have a CableCARD option. Our best guess would be that
Elgato doesn't want to pony up the $200k for the CableLabs certification process and honestly we don't blame 'em.
posted Feb 1st 2009 8:41PM
Dear professional writers,
The correct phrasing is "all for naught."
Dear professional writers,
CableLabs certification process and hoestly we don't blame 'em
Does this strike you as funny at all?
its pretty lame that Apple won't get Cablecard working with mac compatibility. I am a mac person, but i want Mac compatibility with Tivo HD, Directv DVR and ... for those with cable, cablecard as well.
Most of us in the cablecard world are pissed we had to buy an OEM PC for cablecard usability. You are a mac owner and dragged yourself into OEM hell, just the wrong one.
Very lame that Mac OS be it Apple or someone else does not get Cable Card working. Id love to get a elgato hook it up to my iMac 24inch in my bedroom and be able to use that for TV. Perhaps one day
1 - Don't blame Apple for all this HDCP/AACS crap - put the blame where it belongs, squarely on Hollywood's draconian DRM requirements.
2 - Why would Elgato (or Apple TV) put themselves through CableLabs hell to go into direct competition with TiVo HD which already does all this stuff, and is struggling in the marketplace?
3 - Steve Jobs hates the CableCos, and the CableCos hate Steve Jobs. Steve wants you to get all your video from the iTunes Store via broadband. Steve will NOT support Blu-ray, CableCARD, or OTA ATSC tuners; he will NOT turn AppleTV into a TiVo HD with a built-in Blu-ray player, no matter how much the whiners complain.
4 - Deal with it - buy a TiVo HD and get over it.
Good news is, if you get a TiVO HD, you'll have more access to more content with a 10 foot interface than an AppleTV can give you.