ATSC3 Broadcast Television, DRM and the impact on FOSS programs

Those of you who manage media under Linux are likely familiar with programs such as PLEX, Kodi, Emby, Jellyfin, etc. Many of these applications allow you to use your Linux server as a DVR to time shift over the air broadcasts using a tuner such as HDHomeRun. This works perfectly fine with the current ATSC 1.0 standard.

The new ATSC3 standard has been in test mode for the last several years. Broadcasters have been experimenting with it. Unfortunately, broadcasters have now decided to start using DRM. What does that mean? It means that if you are using Plex, Kodi, Emby, Jellyfin, etc. to record programs with Linux, it isn’t going to work with ATSC3 and DRM.

There is a Youtube video, that explains this entire situation. I recommend you take a few moments and watch it, especially if you are currently using a Linux DVR to time-shift OTA recordings.

ATSC 3.0 and DRM

Edit: The FCC actually responded, you can learn about that here:
The FCC wants to hear from you

RSS Feed for FCC Comments re: ATSC3

Sounds like it will definitely impact those who work and watch the broadcast shows on a DVR at a different time than while on-air.