First off, what does “open source” mean?
There’s actually a bit of debate about it’s literal meaning. In a very literal sense, “open source” means that the code, or design, or plans for something are open to anyone who wants them. In theory, anyone who wants to can tweak or fully change the plans, code, or design to suit their needs. They can even turn around and sell the product based on that code, plan or design if they want.
Now, I have a DVR–or Digital Video Recorder. These things are the wave of the futre–the next big thing. You really should thinking about junking that old VCR and investing in one of these babies. The catch is, DRM.
What’s DRM?
Well, that’s easier to define. DRM stands for Digital Rights Management and is essentially a bit of Big Brother in your own home. No, it doesn’t turn your TV into one of those telescreen things, but it will control what you do with your media if you let it. Now, broadcasters, copyright-holders and electronics manufacturers are in collusion with each other to make sure they control what you do with stuff you buy. Like a TV show (you effectively buy it by including the TV commercials) or a DVD. The theory is that if ABC doesn’t want you making a couple copies of the latest episode of Lost for a friend or even for yourself, they don’t have to let you. They just broadcast a special code hidden inside the TV signal that your DVR catches and then can know to limit whether you record that show to DVD or transfer it to another hard drive, or whatever. (Yes, some DVRs can be networked to your computer.)
The solution to Big Business telling you what to do with your stuff? Build an open source DVR.
EFF.org has been kind enough to put together a brilliant page describing, almost precisely, how to do this. Check it out here:
www.eff.org/broadcastflag/cookbook/guide.php
One minor warning, EFF, for some reason calls a DVR a PVR, for “Personal” Video Recorder. In my book, that’s inaccurate because a PVR is a handheld device that allows you to digitally record video. (Hence, the personal part.)
Personally, I’m a fan of open source in theory. The draw back is that you don’t have a mega-corporation to bitch to when their stuff doesn’t work the way it is supposed to. If I build my own PVR, all I can do is look for other like-minded individuals who have either posted the same or similar problems or who have made themselves available to help people. You can’t get mad at them or they won’t help you. Of course, with many mega-corps you’re in the same boat.
Still, if I had the money and the time, I’d definitely want to do this project. Although it is tempting to save up for a Mac Mini, a USB 2.0 capture device and a couple of external drives and just do it that way. :) Not at all “open source” of course.
The beauty of open source is that anyone can come along and improve upon something. In many cases, they can then go on to make money selling that improved something. Either way, it’s uber-grassroots and therefore way more cool than relying on some mega-corp.
