content to hardware-compliant digital displays such as PC monitors and
HDTVs. In its simplest form it requires a transmitter and receiver---the
transmitter taking the form of your next DVD player (Blu-ray or HD-DVD) and
the receiver taking the form of your current or next HDTV or PC monitor).
HDCP was developed by Intel for the "paranoid" (read greedy) film industry
and content providers like Sony. It is by far the best way to protect
digital content from piracy.
The technology works on an authenticated key principal---the transmitter
(DVD player) will query your receiver (HDTV or PC monitor) to make sure that
the equipment is HDCP compliant before any video is shown. Guess who holds
the key? Not you. The beauty of this technology for content providers is
that if a hacker does somehow figure out the key, Sony can blacklist it. So
far there is no legislation that prevents content providers from doing
whatever they want with their content.
Here is the consumer rub: If you just purchased a brand new HDTV or LCD
monitor that doesn't support HDCP, you won't be watching high definition
DVDs when they come out sometime next year (2006). Moreover, you won't be
enjoying the full power of the next release of Windows (Windows Vista)
either.
Most people don't understand the implication here, and that's exactly what
the manufacturers and resellers of high tech, non-HDCP compliant devices are
banking on this holiday season. Intel is the designer of HDCP, but content
makers like Sony will be forcing us to use it to their ultimate benefit
(profit).
The best case scenario for people when high definition DVDs come out next
year will be that they'll be able to watch at a lower resolution. The worst
case scenario is that they'll get to experience a blank screen with maybe
some audio.
Most people I've talked to about this don't seem to be that worried, yet
like gasoline prices, I think we are just getting used to (through
conditioning) greedy corporations taking advantage of us---Sony and
Hollywood being among the top 10, in my opinion.
Today, I went to Costco to inquire about HDTVs. My question to the helpful
sales person in the TV section was: can you direct me to your HDCP compliant
HD Plasma TVs? After a short surprised stair, the answer was: we don't have
any at our store, but you can find them at our online store. Hmmm, this is
interesting.
When I asked why anyone would spend 2 to 4 thousand dollars on a TV that
isn't HDCP compliant, the answer was: because people have the money and
don't understand technology. Those were the salesman's exact words. Not sure
why, but I was shocked to hear this. I am a firm believer that you don't
need to understand new technology in order to enjoy its advantages over
yesterday's technology.
Then I found myself at Best Buy. This time my inquiry was met with a blank
stair followed by another question: uh, you're gonna have to help me out on
that one? Clearly, the word is NOT out yet---HDCP will be the future of DVD
copy protection, and we'd better get used to it.
High Definition DVDs will mostly likely come in one of two forms: Blu-ray
and/or HD-DVD. Both of these technologies use a blue laser optical disk
format. At this wavelength of light, it will be possible to squeeze more
than 20GB of data on a single disk---equivalent to 2 hours of
high-definition video.
Perhaps I'm making a big deal out of this, and my wife teases me for
agonizing over every technology purchase I make, but I just can't get past
this. I buy a beautiful HD Plasma TV and then have to watch the next
generation DVDs in low-def or not at all? Oh, I'm sure Sony, Toshiba and
others will develop a "black box" that attaches to my new HDTV to overcome
this shortcoming, but it won't be for free.
This also applies to the monitor market for your computer. One of the
biggest selling points for me with LCD displays, aside from low power,
clarity and minimal eye-strain, is the long life these displays are designed
for. I may upgrade my computer once every 2 years, but my monitor should
last 8 or more years.
When Windows Vista comes out later in 2006, to take full advantage, you'll
need to have a HDCP-compliant monitor. So, to purchase an expensive monitor
without HDCP support today seems a bit wasteful to me. Yet Dell and others
are offering their LCD displays without regard to tomorrow's
incompatibilities.
The bottom line is if you purchase a new HDTV or PC monitor from the floor
selection at your local electronics and appliance store before 2006, there's
a good chance it is NOT HDCP-compliant.
Caveat Emptor
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