AACS - are we all stuffed?

[gilesm]

Just been reading a report over on another web site ([URL="http://blog.scifi.com/tech/archives/early_hdtv_adopters_screwed_by_hddisc_rules.html#more" [/URL]) which suggests blu-ray and HDVD will use some other form of encryption AACS which many old HDTVs aren't compatable with. Can't really find much about it, other than that if your TV isn't AACS then the device will only output half the resolution. Is this different to HDCP? Would be pretty hacked off if having bought an HDTV Ready TV that quite happily works with Sky that it wont work with blu-ray / HDVD.

 

[Stephen Neal]

AACS is the on-disc encryption and protection scheme. It isn't the connectivity encryption system (i.e. the video connection to a TV) - this is HDCP. They interact though - as the AACS coding on the disc will cause the player to output HDCP encrypted video - which all "HD Ready" displays will be compatible with.

The AACS coding MAY also mandate that the HD component outputs are downconverted to 540p (which is signal compatible with, but lower resolution than, 1080i) or similar.

If you have a display that doesn't have DVI or HDMI with HDCP, and only has analogue component inputs, then you may be limited to a lower resolution playback. However if you have an "HD Ready" display you should be OK.

 

[shuggyscotland]

I just read this From the theinquirer.net

THE MAN responsible for Apple's Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, and iDVD products, Mike Evangelist has called for a boycott of the HD standard.

http://writersblocklive.com/part-156

Interesting coming from someone within the industry. Don't really know what I think, just thought I'd pass it on.

 

[Stephen Neal]

I just read this From the theinquirer.net

THE MAN responsible for Apple’s Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, and iDVD products, Mike Evangelist has called for a boycott of the HD standard.

http://writersblocklive.com/part-156

Interesting coming from someone within the industry. Don't really know what I think, just thought I'd pass it on.

Yep - though a call for boycott from a content provider, rather than an editing facilities provider would have more clout I guess...