the klang
Your getting a touch mixed up I feel with all this new terminology and technology.
01. HDCP does not control when and how you watch video material - its intended to stop you making illegal copies of the material.
02. HDCP is alive and kicking in the Standard Definition market just as it will be in the Higher Definition market.
03. HDMI or DVI (with HDCP) is the format Hollywood have insisted the big hardware manufacturers adopt before they open the door to their Movie libraries for distribution in High Definition.
04. High Definition exists in many flavours and formats around the world - you can already purchase a JVC D-Theatres tape based system that plays back pre recorded D-Theatre movies in 720P or 1080i; this will work with your PDP-502MXE. See
http://www.dvhsmovieguide.com/
05. Up-scaling - DVD players that can upscale Standard Definition PAL and NTSC to 720P are becoming pretty prevalent (and low cost). DVD players that can do this well are less common.
A better option is to consider a purpose built Video Processor that will convert all of your video sources to your Displays native pixel and refresh rate. See
http://www.lumagen.com or
http://www.dvdo.com
06. HD Broadcasts in Europe - this one is going to be a no go on your Display. SKY and others will broadcast 720P(50) and 1080i(50) via HDMI or DVI with HDCP.
07. Your options:
A. Add a Projector to your set-up. If its practical you could spend as little as 1K and get a decent HD (fully HDCP) compliant image; or spend around 3.5K and get something quite special.
B. Add a new display to your set-up - still pretty thin on the ground. Your three year old Display is not in the minority when it comes to not being compatible with what's just around the corner in terms of HD TV.
Pioneer XDE Plasma TV's are one of the very few devices that can now sport the 'Official' HD Ready for Europe logo.
So what is it your most worried about DVD playback, Higher Definition DVD playback (Blu-ray DVD or HD DVD) or HD Broadcasts in Europe?
Best regards
Joe