Looks like a P2P file sharing is about to hit a new level, TiVo is going to impliment a new file sharing service with their TiVo systems. The idea is that it will be possible to send your recorded TV shows/movies to your computer or (possibly someday) across the internet to someone else! Just think, people could send whole seasons across the internet legally. Although public policy isn't really our niche, there are occasional bits of regulation that are notable for the future products they herald, like the approval yesterday by the FCC of a plan by TiVo to allow sharing of recorded content to up to 10 other users via a new service called TiVoToGo. The first implementations will probably be local network -- sending to other TiVos and PCs around your house -- but there's certainly the possibility that sharing over the internet could be implemented, as well. Unless the approval gets shut down by the numerous groups protesting the approval -- something not as likely as I at first thought, as at least nine other DRM-encumbered sharing schemes were approved in addition to TiVos, creating sort of an insta-lobby -- we probably won't pay this too much mind until products using the TiVoToGo service are implemented. But we thought you might at least like to know it's coming. http://www.gizmodo.com/archives/fcc-approves-tivotogo-018939.php
It's about freakin' time... I wonder how much it will cost though? Or will they go "Home Media Option" style and charge $99 bucks at first, then $49 bucks after a year, than make it free?
While this is certainly an advancement, there's nothing stopping you from doing this right now with a PC and a video capture card. Of course, it's not as simple as the TivoToGo will be probably, but the option is there already.
I'm actually really surprised the FCC passed this gadget. It didn't look like they were going to given the opposition from the MPAA.
Yeah, but for those of us who already have TiVOs and don't want to buy additional hardware for our computers... this is great! Plus, I don't wanna watch TV on my monitor when I can watch it on my new TV!!
this gets done quite often right now but if this new tech actually gets through then it would make it much easier and faster to release stuff on the internet Didn't replaytv have a similar feature like this before?
ReplayTV allows you to use a home network to stream shows to another ReplayTV unit. I don't think it allows you to send something through the Internet itself. I don't know, though. It might be possible to do it still. I don't have one. I just know the limited amount I've read.
This is actually a similiar predicament to when VCR's were first introduced on the market, and people could record entire movies from HBO, or entire TV shows. All the industry execs thought it would be the end for buying VHS tapes, and tape rentals... it all worked out in the end.
I find the whole idea of copyright fascinating. It's extinction seems imminent to me. Inevitable. And I'm suprised it hasn't become an issue of polictical debate. Movies, Music, Video, Books will all be free to whoever wants to download them. We are practically there already. I have had a difficult time thinking of some solution. Very difficult. The only solution I can think of off the top of my head is that the government apply an entertainment tax to everyone in population. The Tax would then be distributed to the entertainers as compensation for a "Free" product. Distributors such as Barnes and Noble and AMC would be removed from the equation. They would become extinct. All media could be downloaded for free in exchange for this tax. I see at least three problems already with this tax plan. One problem is that the remainder of the world would still have free access without a tax. The possible solution is that the tax may need to be invoked on a world wide level. A commision may need to decide what areas of the world will pay such a tax. I believe that most countries would be willing to enter into agreement. They have just as much to lose/gain as anyone. Copyright is a worldwide problem. The Second inherent problem is equality of pay and quality of product. Should William Hung receive the same cut of the tax as Avril. Nobody would agree that he does. If they did receive equal pay, everyone under the sun would cut an album for internet release. So you would need to measure output based on distribution. This could become extremely difficult to track. But given the fact that media would be free it may be possible to actually meter the distribution of it. Nobody would mind being metered because they get everything for "free". So who cares. Meter my electronic trading all you want. Obiously whoever distributes more media gets a lareger cut of the gross tax. The third inherent problem is the tax itself. Some people would be taxed that do not receive any benefit from it. Or they would receive less benefit from it. Although this seems implausible to me, assuredly somebody will not want the tax. Especially the owners of Barns and Noble. I cannot think of a way to tax break these people without inherently creating people who will take advantage of it. Economically it seems the plan would work because the artisit must still produce a quality product, to increase demand, and get a better cut of the gross tax. So quality of product should remain the same. The government benefits by being able to invest that tax money before providing a return to the artist. The artisit benefits because the gross tax will be collected as if a bulk sale. Which tends to yield more revenue than a single sale. Everybody is being forced to buy due to the tax. The public only benefits if they download more than they spend in tax. But most of us Anyway, I'm working on some other possible solutions as I write this down, but used some bbs space to start organizing my thoughts.
And the MPAA was extremely against VCRs, as well. Considering how the FCC sure seems to be in the pocket of the big media organizations, I was really surprised the FCC would go against the wishes of Big Media at this point.
