DVI HDCP Issue
Dear Gary: This is a letter I sent to FCC Chairman Powell at mpowell@fcc.gov and various government and industry officials: What’s At Stake Dear Chairman Powell: There is a troubling issue regarding the transition to the new digital television standard, and there appears to be a major oversight on what is really at stake. Until this problem is resolved at its root cause, I am afraid that we will continue to see the slow transition to high-definition TV. I would like to offer you a different perspective on what really has been happening. If you frequent the audio/video Internet forums, you will find that many consumers have postponed their purchases of HD-ready televisions, because of the heated controversy over content protection encryption schemes and HD digital interfaces. History has shown that concerns over copy/content protection have only delayed the adoption of new technologies. Presently, the movie studios have been imposing Digital Visual Interface (DVI) with High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) on future consumer HD products. Hollywood’s intentions are clear and I suspect that its ultimate goal is to eliminate analog high-definition connections altogether. The implementation of DVI with HDCP encryption is one critical step toward that goal, but it is one step in the wrong direction toward the adoption of digital television. This uncertainty over digital connections and copy protection is disrupting and foiling the transition to digital TV. Furthermore, what is most troublesome is this proposal to downconvert the video resolution of analog high-definition outputs. This is absurdly senseless, because doing so could practically make current HD televisions AND set-top boxes obsolete. There is no logical reason for this. Technological obsolescence can easily be avoided by making new formats and interfaces backward-compatible. Why have only DVI and not both DVI and analog HD outputs? Adding to this absurdity is the recent announcement of yet another high-definition digital interface, High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), a different but varied version of DVI. But there is something more preposterous. I understand that HD products with DVI have been announced, but are not even out yet! It is no wonder why current and potential HDTV owners have been outraged over this matter. An abundance of people have been enjoying their digital televisions, in which over two million units have been sold. What statistics do not indicate are the countless others who wish to do the same. Like it did initially with videotape and DVD, Hollywood is only hurting itself by not embracing new technologies like HDTV. If DVI/HDCP succeeds in the way the studios want it to, then the MPAA wins, consumers lose, and we will all pay dearly. We cannot let content providers have the slightest bit of satisfaction that they control the consumer marketplace to their liking. Otherwise, we will regret it in the future when new formats and technologies emerge. I truly believe that the movie studios can make concessions and compromises, and in the end, everyone—including the studios —will benefit from HDTV. One solution is simple. Do NOT permit any resolution reduction of high-definition analog outputs. This will undoubtedly alleviate the concerns of perhaps dozens of thousands of consumers who are now ready to purchase HDTVs. To be sure, do not permit the elimination of HD analog inputs and outputs at all. Digital TV officially started broadcasting in the U.S. in November 1998, and its adoption is still being met with obstacles and industry foot-dragging. Moreover, people are still debating over standards. Some consumer electronics manufacturers have been trying to appease the studios and, in the process, have aggravated the situation. Sir, I implore you and others to put an end to this ludicrousness and abuse of power, so that the transition to digital television can be completed. It is a matter of principle and doing what is right to fight tyranny. No one likes to be manipulated, and anyone who tries to manipulate others is only looking out for their own self-interest. Please do the right thing, because ultimately the rights of consumers will depend on it. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Phuoc Nguyen, Fremont, California, Fredtimbo@aol.com P.S. Copies of this e-mail are being sent to the following members of Congress: Billy Tauzin, John McCain, Dianne Feinstein, Barbara Fox, and Pete Stark.
Phuoc Nguyen, Fremont, California
Editor-In-Chief Gary Reber Comments: Phuoc, I applaud you for your personal efforts to bring this serious matter to government officials. We stand with you in stating your position, which I believe needs the support of all home theatre enthusiasts. I encourage our readership to write to their Congressmen and Congresswomen, and to FCC Chairman Powell.
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