I know this has been discussed before, but, any plans to play protected channels? That’s necessary for me to actually “cut-the-cord.”
If you are cutting the cord why is playing protected channels necessary? If you are cutting the cord and going strictly OTA I am not aware of any OTA channels that are protected so don’t understand this question.
I agree with John, DRM channels are only for cable companies. Unless Over The Air is now playing DRM channels? Please let me know of this ASAP please?
DRM may not “cut the cord” but for some it can limit it enough to justify. SD was able to do it but i’m not sure if it’s something Plex can accomplish. I would use SD for liveTV but they are unable to create a smartTV app, so I hold out hope for Plex to eventually include DRM. For now I would just like to know their opinion on DRM.
One of the use cases for DRM support is for lowly folks like myself who cannot use a digital antenna as i live on the other side of a mountain range from the broadcasters. I still need basic cable just to get the OTA broadcast channels.
Not sure Plex would have anything to do with it as the tv is being provided via third party hardware and where DRM is applied is at the cable co’s discretion. I believe TWC uses DRM for a large portion of their cable channels (or maybe they used to pre-merger, not sure) and others like Comcast use DRM for HBO, showtime etc. In either case, it’s on Silicon Dust to provide access to DRM channels using the HDhomerun (which is one of their on going goals apparently).
All of the other posts are getting off topic from the OP comment about cutting the cord. Cutting the cord means you will not be receiving your service from a cable provider, he will be receiving only OTA channels which are not DRM protected. Yes cable providers have DRM protected channels and no Plex cannot handle them because their product/code has not been certified by CableLabs.
Keep in mind to there is a difference between encrypted and DRM. A cable provider can encrypt every channel and only DRM a few. Generally this is based on requirements on contracts with the content providers.
@rreddy’s use case is exactly the reason why the first cable company started actually.
I would suggest you never expect Plex to support DRM channels. There are allot of reasons, but the most specific one is that plex by its nature breaks the rules in place by cablelabs requires for DRM copy once content.
Its a confusing question. I’m going to assume the OP was referring to eliminating cable box rental charges for a ~$1 or ~$2 cable card.
If that is the case, My suggestion would be to buy a SiliconDust HDHomeRun Prime. Then buy their HDHomeRun DVR software which comes with a ~$35 annual fee (for guide and other features). This software will presumably support DRM and thus record / play media from premium sources like HBO, Showtime, Cinemax and so on.
The HDHomeRun Prime will work in Plex DVR as well but only in a Clear QAM capacity. So if the channel isnt in the clear you want be able to watch / record from it with Plex.
Also note while HDHomeRun DVR and Plex DVR can share the same recording library any protected media will only be playable via HDHomeRun DVR.
That isn’t accurate. Clear qam means not encrypted and the HD Homerun prime most certainly does content that is encrypted. DRM content simply requires an approved playback device/software. The problem is there is no wat to know for sure what channels are DRM protected until you do a channel scan. In my case the only channels protected by DRM have good streaming apps. So between plex and the streaming apps I have everything.
I don’t think Plex will be supporting DRM anytime soon or ever. I, for one, would love to see it happen. The process to get certified is not cheap and very lengthy but doable. It will require a lot of changes in code.
They should use a Kickstarter to fund it.
That is exactly what SiliconDust did in order to launch their HDHomeRun DVR software initiative to support CableCard DRM. The last time I checked it cost $60 USD off of the SiliconDust website to start, with a $35 annual fee. However, the annual fee didn’t start until the release of RC1.
So basically they are charging for beta software that has been in beta for some time.
The major issue I see with this besides the annual fee is that it only supports SiliconDUst tuners,…and its beta.
@Octavean said
The HDHomeRun Prime will work in Plex DVR as well but only in a Clear QAM capacity.
Not just Clear QAM, Plex works with encrypted channels too, just not Copy Once or Copy Never flagged content. I am using a Prime with CableCard (encrypted) and it works fine.
@mattbflint said:
@Octavean said
The HDHomeRun Prime will work in Plex DVR as well but only in a Clear QAM capacity.Not just Clear QAM, Plex works with encrypted channels too, just not Copy Once or Copy Never flagged content. I am using a Prime with CableCard (encrypted) and it works fine.
Same here
@mattbflint said:
@Octavean said
The HDHomeRun Prime will work in Plex DVR as well but only in a Clear QAM capacity.Not just Clear QAM, Plex works with encrypted channels too, just not Copy Once or Copy Never flagged content. I am using a Prime with CableCard (encrypted) and it works fine.
Right, I forgot.
I’m using Plex DVR and most of my channels come in fine. Its only the Copy Once or Copy Never flagged content that doesn’t come in such as HBO, Showtime and so on.
I used to get over 144 channels in the clear but once the FCC allowed it even the local channels were gone. Now I get absolutely nothing in the clear.
So for the OP.
There are only two solutions that I can think of that will work with Copy Once or Copy Never flagged content. Microsoft Windows Media Center (Windows 7 and 8 or forced onto Windows 10) and SiliconDust HDHomeRun DVR (Beta) software.
The OP will still likely get a lot of functionality out of Plex DVR and cablecard though.
Are you sure the Hd homerun software can do DRM content on the platforms the op has. My understanding was a few of then are still having issues getting approved.
Hey guys, all of you are correct. It’s unfortunate how difficult CableLabs makes supporting CCI flagged ‘Copy Never’ channels and while we would love this functionality, judging by how long it’s taken an approved CableLabs vendor (SiliconDust) to get recordings working and thats only on one platform (Windows UWP, which runs on win10 and Xbox) I wouldn’t hold your breath Plex can support it… We’d love too but it doesn’t seem to be in the cards, at least anytime in the near future.
Wow! Ok, lots of feedback here. I have a Silicon Dust HD prime and I simply want to, yes, pay the $5 to rent a cable card instead of the $30 for multi-room DVR and an additional set-top box. I have Verizon Fios and to get the internet, it’s $75 … to get T.V. is an additional $10.
I’ve really been searching for a replacement to WMC …this is as close as I’ve gotten.
