DirecTV HDPC-20 Patent Review
The DirecTV HDPC-20 is generating lots of buzz. In a nutshell, this product will let you record DirecTV to a Vista PC, which you can then (perhaps?) stream to any TV in the house via Media Center Extenders like the XBox 360. This image comes from the back of the device, revealing several patent numbers:
I thought it’d be fun to track these down via Google Patent Search.
- 4631603
- 1986, John O. Ryan, Macrovision: Method and apparatus for processing a video signal so as to prohibit the making of acceptable video tape recordings thereof.
- 4819098
- 1989, John O. Ryan, Macrovision: Method and apparatus for clustering modifications made to a video signal to inhibit the making of acceptable videotape recordings.
- 4907093
- 1990, John O. Ryan, Macrovision: Method and apparatus for preventing the copying of a video program.
- 5315448
- 1994, John O. Ryan, Macrovision: Copy protection for hybrid digital video tape recording and unprotected source material.
- 6381747
- 2002, Peter J. Wonfor, Derek T. Nelson, Macrovision: Method for controlling copy protection in digital video networks.
- 6516132
- 2003, William J. Wrobleski, Ronald Quan, Macrovision: Method and apparatus for improving the effects of color burst modifications to a video signal.
None of this is surprising. Although DRM-free music seems attainable, video is an entirely different battle. Most of the patents describe techniques to prevent analog copies, such as recording to VHS. Patent 6381747 is a lot more interesting, however. This one lets service providers like DirecTV “activate, control and reconfigure the copy protection process”.
You should be very skeptical before buying into this system.
- Will they prevent you from recording certain types of shows? DirecTV already does this for music channels, for instance.
- Will you be able to stream all recorded shows to Media Center Extenders, or will certain categories of shows only work on the PC?
- With Windows Home Server, will you be allowed to stream your recorded DirecTV content to remote locations via the Internet?
- Will recorded shows expire after a certain number of days?
- Will recorded content expire after a certain number of viewings?
- Will your existing monthly DirecTV DVR fee cover this device, or is this a new charge?
This could be a really kick ass product, but it could also be a nightmare if you spend thousands of dollars on computer equipment and extender devices, only to discover your favorite shows are blocked.