Your HDTV Display is OBSOLETE

[mcq]

One of my customers pointed out this article to me. I haven't heard ANYTHING like this to date. I know copy protection is to be built in the STB, but in the display?!

My customer is a financial analyst. His interpretation is that if this happens, Hollywood is bigger and stronger than we think. We need to start calling our Congress folks NOW!
 http://www.pcmag.com/article/0,2997,s=1501&a=24658,00.asp

Patrick K. McHugh

[This message has been edited by mcq (edited 04-27-2002).]

[Matt Heebner]

This is what Hollywood wants but it is up to the manufacturers and the consumer if this going to happen (Divx anyone??). There was going to have to be a bi-directional DVI input on the TV anyways. I do not think is is going to be an issue for a  couple of reasons.

DVI is a fully uncompressed signal. There are already limits on how much bandwidth is available for OTA broadcasts. Same with DBS providers. I could see this happening for special event purchases and PPV though, but OTA cannot incorporate the DVI protection.

Mark Cuban, probably the leading man in HD programming in the world, has stated that he will not support DVI . The only way to get HD programming (if DVI becomes the way) on a system that does not have DVI is to down-rez it to 480p. Mark has stated that he WILL NEVER allow that to happen even if he has to buy up all the stations in the country. He is quite a force to be reckoned with.

The industry has adopted the "firewire" IEEE1394 interface. This is what will be included eventually on all STB, TV's, even A/V receivers and DVD players. While it is possible some will add DVI as well, it is not the standard.

DVI is not a settled format yet. By the time it comes around (if it ever does) it will have changed many times. I would not buy equipment now for the sole purpose of a DVI connection. Chances are it won't be compatible with any newer DVI standard (if there is even going to be a standard) set.

This is what Hollywood wants. It will only happen if we the consumers let it happen. There is no freakin way I am going to let Hollywood dictate if my equipment supports their paranoid protection scheme. I am the consumer with the money who is going to buy all the equipment. I will not be supporting any DVI standard. I think once it gets out that this will prevent any type of recording, and maybe even a pay-per-view type of approach to TV watching, there will be a backlash against Hollywood. Remember that there are some powerful people on our side as well. (Mitsubishi, Mark Cuban, Intel Corp., etc.) These same companies are in discussions with congress over the ability to record for personal use, and the rights of the consumers.

Remember also that Hollywood wants to incorporate this into all high resolution displays, like a computer monitors. This would not only hurt the HD business, but computer business as well. Imagine if every computer in the world went obsolete because the monitors, and computer systems didn't support the DVI standard. Remember, Hollywood want copy protection on EVERYTHING that can display (and record) a high resolution signal. Personally I think Hollywood and the MPAA have way overstepped thier bounds.

Matt

[This message has been edited by Matt Heebner (edited 04-27-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Matt Heebner (edited 04-27-2002).]

[Kevin Arnold]

I'd have to agree with you Matt. DIVX is the perfect example of their thinking. And they learned nothing. When VCR's came out in force in the early 80's I heard the same whining, teeth gnashing, and overheated rhetoric from the Hollywood crowd about their precious product and copyrights. They even took time shifting taping to the supreme court to try and stop it. Then they finally figured out that they would have additional viewers that otherwise couldn't watch. The VHS rental business is now bigger than box office receipts for many movies. Even with their Macrovision copy protection, it isn't hard to obtain the proper equipment to defeat it. Yet there isn't that big a market in copied movies or DVD's for that matter. Most people will watch a movie once and never again. They may collect a few. But its really too much trouble to make a copy of something that is crap to begin with. They overestimate their product. Will I be making perfect copies of "Where's Raymond" to hold, watch, and cherish for the years to come? Are recording artists selling pencils on the street corner because of dastardly copying and MP3 burning?

They must never forget that the consumer is the 800 pound gorilla in the equation and must be deferred to. Much as they want to dictate terms, if those terms are onerous they will have to sell the BMW's

------------------
Kevin Arnold
38" RCA widescreen w/a Winegard on a rotor.

[mcq]

Don't forget... DIVX was a half-butt attempt by one party (Circuit City) to steal market share from it's electronic competitors. On paper, I actually believe that they had some good ideas. (I would rather by a cheap DVD that I watch once and hate than buy one at full price that I regret buying. How many time have you bought a program, movie, or CD that was atrocious. I consider THAT stealing and piracy of my money! {AI SUCKED, anyone want my copy?})

I do laugh at the stupid short-sighted attempt of Hollywood to do away with VCR tapes. One of my all time favorite films "Lethal Weapon" died at the box office, but thrived on the VCR circuit. It went on to have three pretty decent sequels!. (I first saw it at Budget Cinema on a 95 degree day to get out of my non-air apartment.)

As consumers we have to vote with our pocket books and voice to our representatives. I will be calling mine this week. Unlike some folks, I cannot afford to replace my $4000 TV anytime soon. It's going to be many years before my marriage will allow me to get another one of these things.

Furthermore, it's this kinda press by an industry recognized expert in a very popular magazine that breeds bad-will towards the HDTV market! That is what scares me the most!

Patrick K. McHugh

[Joseph S]

 

I actually believe that they had some good ideas.

There was nothing good in DIVX.

1)Pan and Scan Crapola
2)No extras
3)Phone requirement
4)Discs both on the 48 hour variety and the "Gold Upgraded/Purchased" type were not playable at your friend's house or even on another machine not on that phone line.
5)The players were more expensive
6)When DIVX was out of service and when they went out of business your "purchased" discs were absolutely worthless.
7)Only available through one source and a poor one at that

If you have a DVD you find you don't like, you can easily get 75-100% of your purchase price back by putting it up on ebay or you can trade at various sites.

[This message has been edited by Joseph S (edited 04-28-2002).]