Non-HDMI HDTVs May Not Play Next Gen DVDs

[MDC]

"An industry group is set to rule soon whether millions of HDTV homes will be able to use their existing TV sets or have to buy new sets to watch the movies in high definition. The potential problem is centered on the way customers will connect one of the new HD video disc players to their televisions--or rather, the way that Hollywood wants them to connect, according to representatives of several consumer electronics companies at the Ceatec exhibition here this week."

Martyn Williams, IDG News Service

Here is a link to the article.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20051005/tc_pcworld/122843

 

[BMXTRIX]

Sounds like the article is incorrect. It is not HDMI that matters but the digital connecton w/HDCP. HDCP has been known for several years now to be something that people should really have on their HDTVs. Yes, 3+ year old models are now likely to have issues. Heck, my projector from a couple years back has DVI without HDCP, but when I bought it, I expected that I would upgrade in a few years.

Almost every single display with DVI or HDMI now includes HDCP decryption standard. There is no reason in the world to believe that HDMI is what they are specifically speaking of and very little information that confirms this. HDMI is likely the standard by which Blu-Ray and HD-DVD will go to for their connections. It offers a bit more in the A/V world than DVI does. So, yes, HDMI will be on all the players, and all content will be protected by HDCP. But, you can still use HDMI -> DVI adapters and watch the movie and you can still use the analog outputs to view 480p versions of the movie as well.

This may come as a shock to some, but most people who have been following the HD disc progression, already know that HDCP is the king and digital is the delivery method.

 

[Duffinator]

This may come as a shock to some, but most people who have been following the HD disc progression, already know that HDCP is the king and digital is the delivery method.

I agree with BMX on his analysis on this. About three years ago there was a lot of discussion on the net regarding DVI/HDMI and how the manufacturers of sets without these inputs should be held accountable to those who bought sets before this standard was created (me included). I was pretty annoyed about the whole thing but have since gotten over it. I'm looking forward to upgrading my CRT based HD RPTV (that is now 5 years old) with a newer technology display like a Mitsubishi 62" DLP with 1080P capability!