Universal will not use ICT; only two studios left
BusinessWEEK is reporting that Universal has decided not to take advantage of the image constraint token. While some are still skeptical of the studios and their long term
goals, all but Warner and Lions Gate have announced that they will not down-rez analog outputs. This is great
news for those of us who either have no choice but to use analog inputs or those of us who choose to use them. The bad news is that it appears Warner is going to down-rez according to the article; "Execs at Warner Brothers declined to comment, but sources with knowledge of the studio's plans say "at least some" of the 20 HD-DVD releases planned through April will use the software." I knew at least one studio would do it, but I wish it wasn't them, I will have a hard time boycotting "The Matrix" because I don't plan to buy any movies that down-rez. We will see how long that lasts. Now we just wait and see what Lions Gate does, but I have a bad feeling that no news is bad news.
via [engadget.com]
Filed under: Programming, Industry
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John @ Mar 28th 2006 9:13AM
This AACS stuff will be cracked in time, so I wouldnt worry too much about it. And when it does get cracked, I'll be running all my movies with it disabled (or however they go about cracking it) even though I have an HDMI port. Its the principle of the matter to me -- and i think its a load of crap. These big companies need to quit pushing their paying customers to piracy because of the flaming hoops they make us jump through.
Thomas Crymes @ Mar 28th 2006 11:39AM
Seems to me that the content providers would want to not enforce the down-rezzing at first.
They want people to see how good HD is, then when they've got them hooked, start the down-rezzing and watch everyone run out to buy their new compatible HDTVs.
Actually, that doesn't really hold up, but it does seem fiendish.
c.Lake @ Mar 28th 2006 5:01PM
Wow... how big of Universal. Are you really not going to screw the common man out of our money? 'Cause I can't wait the throw my money away on this made-up, Blu-ray bullsh_t. As for Warner Bros Execs... get over yourself.
Question @ Ben D -- (not trying to be a jerk), but haven't you seen "The Matrix", just one to many times? I know I have, from 1999 to 2003. 4 years - it was on at "EVERYBODY"S house, including mine. I finally sold my copy to EB Games, they gave me a $1.25 for it. I don't even remember the other 2 movies.
Ben Drawbaugh @ Mar 28th 2006 5:06PM
c.Lake,
You would think that I have seen it enough, but next time I am board, BAM! into the DVD player it will go.
Seriously, there are a few movies I watch atleast once a year and the Matrix is one of them. Not to mention when looking for PQ it is nice to watch something you are familiar with.
Ray Morris @ Mar 29th 2006 1:44AM
HD-DVD/Blu-Ray will be a small nitch market like Laserdics were years ago until one of them dies. Although Laserdics didn't have catches, gimmicks, codes, flags, threats of down rezzing, and other nonsense these new things have!