You can add Bell ExpressVu to the list of Canadian companies sending out copy restrictions embedded in their broadcasts.
This problem started become significant somewhere around November, 2006 and has been getting worse.
I asked a friend (with the tools) to examine the video coming out of his set top box and sure enough, in line 21, the broadcast flags are being set every now and then on certain channels. Strangely, they are not set continuously. Instead they are off most of the time and seem to turn on almost randomly throughout the video broadcasts for several frames, often only during commercials or transitions, but also quite often during the actual show. It seems that more and more channels and more and more shows on channels affected are having the flags set these days.
Looking through the 100's of shows that didn't get recorded, specifically with a copy restriction in the Media Center log, I can see it is mostly the children's channels that we see this on. YTV, channels 551 & 552 and Discovery Kids, channel 559, have the most copy refusals, but I also see a lot on the Woman's Network, channel 602 (although we don't record any series consistently from them, so the problem is likely more significant) as well as many other channels.
The other thing that ExpressVu does not do correctly is transmit the parental control information (v-chip) which is also supposed to be included on line 21. Again, line 21 data seems to randomly appear throughout the broadcasts on certain channels. Speedvision, channel 416, is one which regularly includes erroneous r-rated video frames (typically several video frames in a row). This is a major pain for Media Center, because it doesn't know how to deal with these short "blips". What happens is the "enter code" screen pops up for a few seconds and goes away. This happens over and over throughout the show, each time disabling the video for a fraction of a second and the sound for a few seconds. If you try to pause it and enter the code it typically doesn't work. My theory is since the video keeps playing for a period after the screen pops up and the flag turns back off, Media Center doesn't think the code is entered for any reason. The only way to get the parental control password accepted is to pause the show and skip frame by frame until the "enter code" pops up and then enter the code.
I followed up on this with ExpressVu. At first they insisted the problem was bugs within Media Center (I believe this was from their internal on-line knowledge base). When I insisted the line 21 data was output by their set top box they responded with "MCE is totally not supported and not recommended". I escalated the calls asking why parental controls don't work since v-chip data on line 21 is required by the CRTC, but higher level techs had the same message. Their attitude was that no one should be using 3rd party PVRs with ExpressVu. They also stated that their own guide data contains complete parental control support for their PVRs and set top boxes so if I wanted a PVR to be able to record my kids shows as well as provide parental controls for other channels I should buy or rent one of their PVRs. They sent me an e-mail with links to their PVRs.
I also contacted the CRTC regarding ExpressVu's not using line 21 data correctly and it turns out the CRTC, while not willing to control copy protection, is willing to enforce parental controls (to some extent at least by exerting pressure on them with regard to license renewals).
There are several other parties fighting for some of this; at least with the v-chip data not being correct. Here is a link to a letter/complaint from the Canadian Association of Broadcasters to the CRTC regarding ExpressVu not complying with a number of things, including line 21 data (I believe these guys are also concerned with increasing copy protection):
http://www.cab-acr.ca/english/research/03/sub2_sep2503.pdf
"ExpressVu is not passing through V-Chip encoding
- 48. Programmers have been required to encode programming in accordance with the CAB’s Violence Code since 2001. This was a major initiative of the television broadcast industry and internationally Canada led the way in providing effective notification for children and parents on programming that may not be appropriate for certain audiences.
- 49. At the present time, ExpressVu does not pass the V-Chip encoding on to its subscribers, thereby frustrating the entire initiative. This state of affairs must be immediately corrected, otherwise access to critical programming information will be denied to DTH subscribers. Accordingly,
ExpressVu should be required to pass on V-Chip encoding to subscribers by way of condition of licence. "
I don't know what the best solution is to this problem, but for us Canadians, I would agree that since the broadcasters are not following the rules, the main question is why should Microsoft? There do not appear to be any laws that specify that Canadian PVRs have to comply with the copy protection setting encoded within line 21.
Likely one of the biggest issues here is Microsoft is still trying to convince broadcasters that Media Center is safe from a DRM point of view. This is essential in order to gain the ability to record HD content and is also important with SD content from pay TV and certain premium channels. Unfortunately the broadcasters appear to have made the decision already that they are going to resist hard any 3rd party (Microsoft, etc.) supplying PVRs for their networks and try to force customers to buy their own PVR solutions.
Unfortunately, once again, the consumer suffers.
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