Analog Blu-ray HD Output May Now Be Blocked

[admin]

January 1st 2011 was an important date in the development of Blu-ray. It is the date in which analog HD output on Blu-ray ends, when all new Blu-ray players will now have to limit analog output to SD. Studios are now also able to use ICT (Image Constraint Token) to prevent analog HD output on older players.

The cut off date and ICT was originally devised as part of the Blu-ray specifications to accommodate what is called the "analog sunset", the plan to remove support for analog output by 2013.

From January 1st, all Blu-ray players produced after this date will only output HD from digital outputs, namely HDMI, with component output limited to a maximum resolution of only 540p. For older players, studios can now use the ICT flag embedded onto Blu-ray discs to tell the players not to output HD over analog. Discs with ICT will have to carry the ICT logo on the disc cover.

By 2013, no Blu-ray player will be allowed to carry analog outputs.

So those with TVs that only have component inputs will have to look for a new one, if they want to continue watching new Blu-ray movies in HD.

Analog output, apart from being outdated, is also easier to record from, and so by removing analog output support, the studios believe piracy can be reduced. However, Blu-ray related piracy is mostly done now through digital means, with no loss of quality involved (which is unavoidable with analog copying), and the ICT and analog sunset will have no effect on Blu-ray piracy.

More:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/10/analog-sunset-begins-all-the-new-blu-ray-players-will-only-outp/

[drfsupercenter]

That is the most stupid thing I've ever heard. Why would they prohibit component outputs? Not everyone's TV has HDMI... and it's not like it's exactly hard to decrypt Blu-Rays, anyone who resorts to using the "analog hole" is doing it wrong anyway when it comes to piracy. LOL

[chrisjkirk]

Yet again anti-piracy measures hurt the customer while the real pirates get to watch movies unrestricted and for free. This just forces legitimate consumers to the point where they have to break copyright and remove the encryption just to use paid for media without having to buy a new TV.

I thought it was only the computer game industry that pulled this kind of crap but clearly the movie industry is hell bent on making the same mistakes.

[Budreaux]

This is not about piracy. this is about converting the States over to full digital. We've already started this and the crossover was put on delay due to some other issues, BUT, it is something that needs to happen anyways. We are and have been behind in doing this for several years.

[admin]

It is true that this is partly about the digital transition, but I don't really think it's necessary to ban analog output at all to achieve this. The new TV I just got only came with 1 composite input and 1 component input, while it had 4 HDMI - the exact reverse of the situation only a couple of years ago, so the transition will take place naturally, without the need to ban anything in the process.

I mean, who even uses component when they have the ability to use HDMI? There's no need to force users to use digital over analog - they're already doing it willingly. So that leaves only the anti-piracy reasons.

Even with the digital TV transition (at least here in Australia), nobody is banning analog, since those with old TVs can buy a set top box and enjoy HDTV via component output.

In any case, the digital transition will happen naturally, and those that don't want to upgrade TVs, and especially projection systems (many of which still works great, even if they only accept analog inputs), can and should still be allowed to use analog for HD.

[drfsupercenter]

Yeah, using component cables with a projector is simply an amazing picture, even at only 720p - projected on a large wall, I've done it before.

But really, whether it's for antipiracy or not, I think forcibly disabling it is stupid... I have an HD PVR, for example, that can take 720p or 1080i HD inputs and record them to .ts files, I've done it to record gameplay videos from my Xbox 360 etc... if I can't use component anymore than boo hoo, that's pathetic.

I was helping my friend buy a Blu-Ray player, and they ended up spending more on a Sony one that had component, since the cheapy one had only HDMI and RCA, where they had an oldish TV with component but no HDMI.

[chrisjkirk]

I also can't see it having anything to do with digital switchover either. There are tons of ways of getting a digital source into your home, through cables or discs, which then use an analogue cable to transmit to the TV, if you wish. The digital switchover can occur without forcing people to go out and buy new equipment other than the device decoding the digital content.

I've got an old top of the line anologue projector that takes component video (which for most viewers is nearly good as HDMI). My choices now are to go out and spend at least a couple of thousand on a new digital projector or break copyright.

It's all about controling the way you view content and what you use to do it and is nothing but harmful to the consumer.

[Budreaux]

I'll have to look up the article, but the US needs to convert to digital due to bandwidth. The bandwidth that is being used for analog TV broadcasts is needed elsewhere and by converting away form it will allow for the analog bandwidth to be allocated elsewhere that it is needed.
Again, I'm speaking from memory that is not 100% accurate, but I'll look up the info.

That being said, having the ability to use analog on a home electronic doesn;t impede on bandwidth, so obviously there are other factors in play here.