Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: Notesfiles $Revision: 1.7.0.10 $; site trsvax Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!convex!trsvax!uhclem From: uhclem@trsvax Newsgroups: net.video Subject: Re: Cable and scrambling Message-ID: <58300038@trsvax> Date: Mon, 6-Jan-86 10:32:00 EST Article-I.D.: trsvax.58300038 Posted: Mon Jan 6 10:32:00 1986 Date-Received: Fri, 10-Jan-86 05:24:14 EST References: <201@hoqam> Lines: 40 Nf-ID: #R:hoqam:-20100:trsvax:58300038:000:1969 Nf-From: trsvax!uhclem Jan 6 09:32:00 1986 <"If we took out the bugs, it wouldn't be crashy, would it?!?"> >You should note that the cable companies consider your VCR competition >against their service. You going out and renting a movie and playing >it on your VCR is direct competition against their service. >>SURPRISE! My cable company (Valley Cable in the San Fernando Valley) this >>past month had a bill stuffer PROMOTING the use of your VCR and their cable. >>"Your VCR is made for cable..." We provide SOOOO many movies for your taping >>enjoyment. Build a library. etc.etc.etc. Then a note that taping of copy- >>righted movies is COMPLETELY LEGAL for personal use only. >>Seems at least one company has decided to stop fighting and start joining. >>If only they provided a signal that was worth taping! About a year and a half ago, a half-page article appeared in the local cable guide, giving a general blessing to connecting a VCR to the local cable system (Sammons of Ft. Worth), and providing some connection instructions. The opening sentence said something like "Now that it is legal to videotape cable-transmitted programs, here is how to do it right." They failed to mention what law or decision made it legal. Their instructions had you insert the VCR on the downstream side of the box, and tune channel 3 all of the time. More recently, a Texas law allowing cable companies to have you electrocuted if you even walk too close to their cable and inductively pick-up their signal was put into effect. This time, Sammons used a full page ad and about 11 free channels to remind everybody (for 5 months, 24hrs a day) about what the law was, what it's number was, and how many different possible loopholes it covered. I guess when the law is in your favor you tend to talk about it more. "Sheer and Destroy" - Slogan "Thank you, Uh Clem." Frank Durda IV @