> I claim this is because the TV predates the era of open computing platforms like Unix.
I claim it's because DRM, since if it wasn't for DRM wanting control of the whole reception to display path to be protected, you could just stick an open computing device in between the streaming signal and the display device, and make your own technical choices.
You still can, AFAIK, for content that doesn't require HDCP.
I remember having a TV tuner card back in the day on my old desktop and this is exactly what I did. I don't watch much TV or anything so.I haven't really checked, but are such cards available today with the encrypted digital cable that's ubiquitous everywhere? Even most broadcast is digital now and requires a decoder box between.
I claim it's because DRM, since if it wasn't for DRM wanting control of the whole reception to display path to be protected, you could just stick an open computing device in between the streaming signal and the display device, and make your own technical choices.
You still can, AFAIK, for content that doesn't require HDCP.