AT&T Tech Support 360
February 16, 2006 4:00 AM PST
New DVDs already sparking copy-protection confusion
Unraveling the mystery won't be easy. Many, if not most, of today's top-of-the-line computers and monitors won't make the cut, even if next-generation Blu-ray or HD DVD drives are installed.
That's because strict content protection technologies may automatically degrade the DVDs' picture quality, or even block them from playing at all, if the right connections and digital protections aren't in place. Even the most expensive computers sold today mostly lack those features.
Acronym soup
A glossary of DVD and content-protection terms.
Indeed, the consumer backlash has already begun. Graphics-chip makers such as ATI and Nvidia are drawing criticism online for marketing products that are "ready" for these new copy-protection tools but that nevertheless lack critical features needed to let the discs play at top quality.
"This is a sticky issue," said Richard Doherty, an analyst with the Envisioneering Group. "It's going to be very confusing for consumers, and it's going to be very daunting" for computer makers.
The copy-protection muddle stems from Hollywood studios' desire to avoid the film piracy that was born when tools for unlocking the encryption technology on today's DVDs began spreading online in late 1999.
Along with a picture quality upgrade, the new generation of DVDs will be shipped with new digital rights management controls, with strict computerized rules attached saying exactly when and how a movie can be played.
For people who buy standalone DVD players and HDTVs, this mostly won't be a concern, as the right plugs will generally already be built in.
But computer buyers will face a far more challenging landscape. The everyday analog plug that connects most computers to monitors today doesn't support copy protection, and so is viewed as unsafe by Hollywood studios. Movies playing on a computer over this ordinary analog connection will likely be downgraded to near-DVD quality.
Even worse is the so-called DVI plug that sends high-quality digital signals to a monitor but also doesn't support copy protection.
That offers an even greater risk of copying in Hollywood's eyes. Studios have persuaded Microsoft to add a feature in the upcoming Vista operating system that can shut down that connection altogether, unless the computer has an Intel-created encryption technology called HDCP, or High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, turned on to guard the signal all the way to the monitor screen.
Put another way--if the DVD doesn't like your plug, your monitor may go black.
A newer connection technology called HDMI almost always comes with built-in encryption. If both the computer and the monitor have this installed, everything should work as planned.
Simple question--will it work?
Today, it's extraordinarily difficult to find information that explains whether a company's products will be compatible with the new DVDs.
Part of the problem is that the copy protection technology for the
See more CNET content tagged:
copy protection,
DVD,
margin,
computer monitor,
HD-DVD
This is going too far. I have neither the time nor the interest to connect these dots, which in all reality appears to hurt the legitimate movie-watchers just as much as it hurts the pirates (if not less so, since the pirates will ALWAYS be able to handle the code).
They can't honestly think they're accomplishing anything useful with all these ridiculous standards and restrictions, can they?
Let's put this into perspective:
"What we're coming out with is something that's probably going to last 15 years or more...HDCP, even though not well deployed today, will be well deployed in five years...we are planning for the future." (Leake,IBM)
"Even the most expensive computers sold today mostly lack (the required DRM) features."
"Many, if not most, of today's top-of-the-line computers and monitors won't make the cut, even if next generation Blu-Ray or HD DVD players are installed."
This scenario is much worse than anticipated. Blu-Ray and HD DVD ship in three months. With uncertainty and doubt surrounding HD DVD and Blu-Ray already, alienation with forms of DRM at the outset is a plan for failure.
"Even worse is the so-called DVI plug that sends high-quality digital signals to a monitor but also doesn't support copy protection."
This is not true. DVI with HDCP support has been available for some time.
HDMI and DVI are actually based on the same technology, only with HDMI adding audio support on the same cable. Many TVs have shipped with DVI connectors and HDCP support. In fact, upscaling DVD players require use of the DVI connector (or HDMI in the newer ones) for 720p or higher for the same reason that HD DVD formats do: HDCP support.
There is another problem, however. DVI and HDMI both present the issue of limited bandwidth. There have been questions raised over whether or not the next step up in resolution will even work properly on these cables. The current high for HDTV, 1080p, might just be the limit.
So for the most part, this technology might be around for another 15 years, and I may never even see it. Does Linux have DRM? Can't someone with Linux just make a program that can rip the video regardless of any protection?
This is all just a waste of time for these companies. It's just stupid...
I have a smaller collection of CDs. I will probably be able to play them many years from now.
I have a few DVDs. I might be able to play them ten or twenty years from now (and will have to watch the same ads before I can access content).
You see where it's going. There is no sense in collecting stuff in the newer formats. They age too fast. With the new "content protected" schemes there is absolutely no sense in trying to build a collection. Already you would have to work hard to know if your equipment would support the discs you buy, and you can be quite certain that when you would eventually have to replace your equipment you would have absolutely no way to make sure it would support everything in your existing collection.
and in a few years, will these formats be supported? they say they will, but you know these people. You would be able to play those things in the future. Newer equipment would be backward-compatible in 10 or 20 years. But you can be quite certain this "backwards-compatibility" would eventually mean you would be able to access the content at a lower quality, just like today they promise it would be if they are "not satisfied" with the way your own equipment restricts you. So why collect "higher quality" items if you know it would not stay "higher quality" in the future?
The good thing here is that this can drive consumers (at least serious ones that pay and collect) to other independent sources. And if you absolutely have to have something in your collection - find an unprotected pirated copy that you can be sure would work in the future!
They are going to dictate what I can and what I cannot watch? Are we kidding? Of course they can set any kind of rules for the products they want to sell but I am also free not to buy them. i canhappily live without buying any DVD for as long as I want; movies companies could not survive three months without sales. As for the objection that the majority of the people will not be affected because they play DVDs on stand-alone players just check the increase in the sales of "MediaCenter" based PCs to verify as more and more people are moving toward a new way to handle their media products.
What is most ironic is that Microsoft and Intel have been pushing people to the concept of "Digital lifestyle" etc. for years and now, under the pressure of dumb and shortsighted companies and the best politicians their money can "enroll", are going to kill an un-born, potentially huge market. Shareholders wake-up!
...with over 1000 DVD's in retail packaging, 2 x 32" lcd tv's, an upscaling dvd player with hdtv tuner, and a 5.1 surround sound system i have finally reached what i consider the end of my love affair with hollywood.
i am not a pirate, but i swear to the greedy film industry that if my current setup can not play hddvd's with the simple purchase of an hddvd player, then my love of film ends here.
enjoy the memory of having loyal fans hollywood, because i think this is the last time you will ever see them again.
ps... intel and microsoft... shame on you.
Anyway, how stupid, very stupid is the Industry, don't they know it's hardly a matter of a month or so and the code will be cracked and sent all over the globe. Naturally they'll make laws too, and well, they're a laughing stock!!!
Really do not worry at all!!!!!! Patience.
Sony had found the "ultimate code" and got it screwed up!!! With the right tools one can copy any Sony protected DVDs and music CDs, and it plays beautifully.
My father used to work in a prison. He said: You make the rules & safety tighter, the prisoner has got time and skill and always ends up one notch ahead!!! See!!!
And don't be silly folks, let the stupid ones pay for the test, in six to nine months time it'll be all over.
Scoobeeedoooo-bedooooo!!!! or shalala!!! if you like it better!!!
For the industry, is literally, trying to force the cosumer, to spend an average of $20K plus in expensive total equipment upgrades
And then in addition, there is the $100k plus to replace existing library stock dvd's!(old stock reissued in new formats)
In the interim, the industry, will consider ways to kill all fair use, and seek to enforce some kind of annual license fee or pay per view to rent the product only(triples the annual corporate profits)
Choices, to be led by the nose, needlessly spend $$$$, or wait until the smoke and mirrors used here are removed!
Choices, don't you love them!
HD is no substitute for a good plot.
Not a pirate or poster, just a user.
- only problem i see
-
by techguy83
February 16, 2006 1:25 PM PST
- Maybe I am not giving everyone a fair shake, but I fully expect that Sony's PS3 sales will be used to boost blue ray into popular contention as several hardcore gamers and parents will buy this product to have it and to play nextgen games on it. I also expect that several people will buy the new gear heedless of the ramifications. So, all this talk is well and good, but dont expect too much fro joe schmoe who doesn't care/ doesn't want to care.
-
Reply to this comment
View
reply
-
-
See all 86 Comments >>