tobias_platen's blog
Tobias Alexandra Platen's software freedom blog
DRM free Smart TV
Today is Day against DRM, so I’ll post a short update about a DRM free TV set construction that I have build in the last two month.
My TV set only supports DVB-T and old analogue cable TV. Because I don’t want to buy a new one with even harder DRM and the patented H.265 codec, I am now using Kodi to watch TV. Kodi is free software and runs on a ThinkPad T400, which I also use as a DVD player. I installed Libreboot and removed the internal screen, which caused problems with the external TV set connected via VGA.
Libreboot is a free BIOS replacement which removes the Intel Management Engine. The Intel Management Engine is proprietary malware which includes a back door and some DRM functions. Netflix uses this hardware DRM called the Protected Audio/Video Path on Windows 10 when watching 4K videos. The Thinkpad T400 does not even have an HDMI port, which is known to be encumbered by HDCP, an ineffective DRM that has been cracked.
Instead of using DRM encumbered streaming services such as Netflix, Entertain or Vodafone TV, I still buy DVDs and pay them anonymously with cash. In my home there is a DVB-C connector, which I have connected to a FRITZ!WLAN Repeater DVB-C which streams the TV signal to the ThinkPad. The TV set is switched on and off using a FRITZ!DECT 200 which I control using a python script running on the ThinkPad. I also reuse an old IR remote and an IRDuino to control the ThinkPad.