Captain_RJ
December 14th, 2001, 00:17
Just thought everyone should know this. At the end of July 2001 Direct TV announced that all knew model HD receivers appearing at the end of 2002 will have DVI output with the built-in HDCP software. (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection.) Digital Video Interface is one connection designed to go b/n the monitor and set top-box decoder. It passes uncompressed video with an encryption key; and hey what do you know uncomressed video can''''t be recorded. <br />Only display devices with this interface will be able to display FULL HD content.(1920x1080 pixels) And the only one on the market currently with the DVI/HDCP is the JVC AV-61S902 D''''Ahlia. Altough no one else in the market has announced that they intend to use this interface, some are considering it. <br />Unfortuantely it doesn''''t help that the "5C" group made up of Sony, Toshiba, Hitachi, Panasonic and Mitsubishi support the other digital interface, Firewire, which is not compressed but has an encryption software built in called DTCP(Digtial Transmission Content Protection)<br />The trade group that represents the motion picture industry the MPAA(Motion Picture Ass. of America) supports DVI but not IEEE 1394. If the connection doesn''''t have their support then HD programming can''''t move along and become more widespread, since they need to feel comfortable with releasing HD prograaming without the feeling that some consumers will go into the movie buisness and pirate their assets. Especially since you can record HD signal if the content provider allows it(or the encryption can be broken) via the new D-VHS recoders.<br />Meanwhile, before we see those receivers, Direct TV and newly merged Echostar (Dish Network) can at their option turn off the anolog HD signal via component video or VGA. They can also more than likely degrade the signal (decrease resolution) as they see fit, probably w/ influence from the MPAA. This includes every make and model from Hughes, Sony, Panasonic, Mits., and Toshiba.<br />Word about whether this lower resolution will be the policy from the cable company providers that also broadcast HD signals remains to be seen at this juncture.<br />This down-rez''''d signal however, will not apply at all for those in the market that recieve any terrestial HD broadcasts, like in the major cities that recieve it for free.<br />For those that have Echostar''''s "Dish Network" and the model 6000 you might be able to breath easier thanks to a "grandfather clause" that they are considering to maintain the full resolution.<br />If want to voice your objection to this kind of insanity write to:<br />Jack Valenti care of MPAA, 15503 Ventura Blvd., Encino, CA 91436.<i>can''''t</i>