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New HDTV Encryption Obsoletes Sets

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the pain-in-the-asses dept.

Brian Weatherhead writes "I wrote an article, detailing the MPAA's control over your HDTV. Their new standards will make any HDTV bought before 2002 obsolete! Consumers will be upset to say the least." Talks about the different formats for video signals, and copy protection methods for those signals. And yes, if this goes down, anyone with an HDTV without DVI input could very well be watching 480p signals when HDTV standardizes. Fortunately at the rate this stuff has been happening, those TVs will long since have died. But one thing is for sure- with the DMCA, and these new video formats, PVRs could become a thing of the past.

4 of 366 comments (clear)

  1. We're saved! Well, some of us... by TheSHAD0W · · Score: 4, Informative

    They're putting the encryption on the DIGITAL connection. Analog connections will NOT be deliberately obsoleted. My HDTV is connected via analog; is yours?

    The article predicts that hardware with analog outputs will become harder to find in the future, but that doesn't mean they'll disappear completely, and by the time they've nearly gone, I'll bet I'll have reason to upgrade anyway.

  2. Re:We're saved! Well, some of us... by -tji · · Score: 5, Informative

    Actually, No..

    Take a look at the box your HDTV Set Top Box came in, or look at the manual. It includes the capability to "down-res" the analog output, if copyright holders so choose.

    That is what is obsoleting your old set. When the industry decides that DVI is the only acceptable interface, they flip the switch, and the 1080i signal is now down-res'd to 480p.

    What a luxury, to be an industry that can spit on consumers & still flourish. In fact, HDTV owners are often some of the biggest movie fans, trying to get the best quality possible for their movie viewing. And the movie industry says "screw you"!

  3. Re:Glad I didn't buy one.... by Reikk · · Score: 5, Informative


    Nobody is broadcasting in HDTV? All major networks are broadcasting things in HDTV. Hook up an antenna. Here are the following shows I can watch _just tonight_ on my HDTV:

    ABC: Tarzan, Alias, The Practice
    CBS: Eduction of Max Bickford, Rosa Parks Story
    Fox: Simpsons, Malcom, Bernie Mac
    NBC: Winter olympics
    UPN: Buffy
    and more.. movie channels HBO, Showtime, etc.

    Unless you live in the boonies, most major networks are indeed broadcasting in HDTV OTA. HDTV programming is available via satellite for DirectTV and Dish network. HDTV is available via cable for those with certain cable companies (time warner and a few others).

    Next time you post something, try getting a clue and stop karma whoring with your political rhetoric.

  4. It's only media by asv108 · · Score: 4, Informative
    I'm not trying to reduce the impact of this story, but the headline was a little sensationalized. HDTV media under this standard will not work but you will still be able to watch HDTV on the pre-2002 sets. I just want to clear that up for the masses who are too lazy to read the actual article :)

    One note we can take from the history of a commercially unsuccessful product is DAT copy protection. DAT had the potential to become a consumer audio format, but the industry was really worried about copy protection since with DAT you can make perfect digital copies. They put in a copy protection "feature" called SCMS Serial copy management system. After a few years deck manufactures started producing decks that defeat SCMS. Maybe this will happen with HDTV media protection. If not, I'm sure somebody will figure out a way to bypass it or reverse engineer it.