HDTV's Copy-Protection Prison

[Gregg Lengling]

Copyright uncertainty is limiting HD recording-gear options, leaving cable networks' HD content stuck in the set-top box, for now


With the cost of high-definition TV sets continuing to drop and HD programming's availability rising, it's more than a little disappointing that sophisticated gear such the Microsoft Media Center PC has such limited ability to handle HDTV. When equipped with a digital tuner, Media Center can show and record HD programming, but only from local broadcast stations -- no ESPN, no HDNet, no HBO.

The difficulty is with the unsettled state of copy protection for HD programming rather than any technical issue. Until now, HD content has been sent out unprotected over cable and satellite systems. With some new Federal Communications Commission rules in place and equipment capable of recording HD video hitting the market, content owners are starting to apply protection -- but the hardware and software needed to allow video recorders to comply with the protection schemes aren't ready.

Joe Belfiore, general manager of Microsoft's (MSFT ) eHome group, says uncertainty about just how to handle content protection forced the decision to limit HD capabilities in the new version of Windows XP Media Center Edition announced Oct. 12. He says two basic ways exist to get HD content from cable into the Media Center PC: "One was for us, in effect, to become the cable set-top box."

SHORT-LIVED SOLUTION.  Under the FCC's "plug-and-play" cable rules, consumer-electronics makers can equip receivers, recorders, or other gear that handles HD cable with a "cable slot." A "cable card" that fits in the slot performs the functions of the set-top box, communicating with the cable network to see that you get the premium content you've paid for and respect any copying or retransmission restrictions imposed by the content owners. The problem is that these cable cards are not yet commercially available.

The other method would be to use a FireWire (or IEEE 1394) connection to get HD content from an existing digital set-top box to the Media Center PC. One problem with this approach is that not all digital cable boxes are equipped with the required FireWire connection. An even bigger concern is that this method would probably cease to work as more programmers protected their content.

"Ultimately, it's all going to be protected," says Belfiore. "Any work we did to take advantage of unprotected content would necessarily be short-lived."

FUNDAMENTAL BLOCKAGE.  Once the hardware is ready, probably early next year, Microsoft plans to upgrade the Media Center to allow display and recording of HD cable content (satellite may be problematic because the FCC's plug-and-play rules apply only to cable). Some considerable technical challenges still remain. HD requires a data stream of 15 megabits per second, about 5 to 10 times the rate of standard TV, depending on compression. That's a lot of data to move and a lot of hard-drive storage room.

Even if copy-protection rules allow it, a standard double-layer DVD wouldn't be able to hold even a single 30-minute HD program. And you won't be able to use a wireless network to move HD content around the house, as the Media Center allows with standard TV. But until the initial problem of getting HD content into a Media Center or other digital video recorder is solved, these other difficulties are academic.

[sknaf]

Hi Gregg,

Thanks for the informative article.  I am going to HD this xmas
and I was thinking of building a Tivo type unit.  Where I could
record OTA HD, and also be able to surf on the TV.
Sounds like I can do the OTA stuff, but nothing else, unless
I goto TW or real Tivo/Driectv.
Bummer!

  - Knaf

[John L]

They might as well make it a law to make it illegal to own, or manufacture Video Tape Recorders.  Therefore they might as well bann VCRs if the Copyright people are going to be so picky over the matter.

I recall back in the 60s or 70s when WITI-TV, ch. 6 the station known to operate it's DTV on 1 single 9 volt battery used to schedule some awesome movies at 2:00 am.  Well you know we didn't have VCRs back in those days so if you wanted to see the movie you had to make a special effort to set your alarm clock to watch the movie.  there were times the scheduled movie didn't start until 30 mins late.

-John L.