Polaroid TV USB recording encrypted?
Discussion
Hi does anyone know if a model of Polaroid TV when using the recording feature on it encrypts the recorded files?. When I recorded a TV programme a few days ago on one of the UK freeview channels, using my USB pendrive, after I stopped recording I then plugged the pendrive into my laptop only the find that the file is unreadable, with a timecode and a .ts extension. I've heard on another forum that it's either a corrupt file or the files are encrypted and can only be played back on the TV it was recorded on. I've tried the file on a different TV and it just says unsupported file.
Recording encryption is pretty standard. It generally happens on HD channel recordings. They're restricted to being played back on the same device they were recorded on. Not just the same model, but the exact same device, serial number specific. I wouldn't be surprised to find that some SD channel recordings are encrypted too.
There is gear around which isn't so.... ahem... restricted. But what you've found with the Polaroid is they want the rights holder (the broadcaster or distribution company) to be assured that the content they paid to create doesn't get copied and shared via a PC. It's the digital economy at work. I guess if you'd paid salaries and the cost of equipment, buildings, talent etc then you'd be hacked off if someone just ripped it off, but then again, stuff like local news items doesn't get posted on official streaming sites, and we know about retrospective content editing, so there's still a gap between the rights holders and what consumers might legitimately need.
There is gear around which isn't so.... ahem... restricted. But what you've found with the Polaroid is they want the rights holder (the broadcaster or distribution company) to be assured that the content they paid to create doesn't get copied and shared via a PC. It's the digital economy at work. I guess if you'd paid salaries and the cost of equipment, buildings, talent etc then you'd be hacked off if someone just ripped it off, but then again, stuff like local news items doesn't get posted on official streaming sites, and we know about retrospective content editing, so there's still a gap between the rights holders and what consumers might legitimately need.
Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff