ICT a non-issue till at least 2010?
by Richard Lawler 
posted May 20th 2006 at 3:55PM
That's the rumor that has been floating around the interent since E3. This German site (translated via Google) claims to have knowledge of a "backroom agreement" between hardware manufacturers and studios that would allow for full-resolution output through analog connectors until at least 2010. The theory is supported by the Xbox 360's HDMI-lacking HD DVD add-on, and the budget PS3's similar lack of a protected output. Still, rumors and back room agreements won't do much to ease the concern of HDTV owners with only analog inputs, and people considering buying a next-gen console to double as a high definition DVD player.The longer the issue remains in limbo, the longer prospective buyers will be content to ride the fence, so lets hope they make a public decision and soon.
[Thanks for the tip via AVS Forums David!]
Filed under: Industry
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris Lanier @ May 20th 2006 4:22PM
I didn't read the page, but full resolution output must use a digital connection, ICT or not. AACS defines 1080p out of digital connections only (ie. HDMI-HDCP). You can't output 1080p out of component, ICT enable or not.
Chris
Richard Lawler @ May 20th 2006 5:26PM
Chris, the source article (through an admittedly laughable google translation) appears to say full resolution, what that means for AACS and 1080p I can't say.
JC @ May 21st 2006 12:46PM
True, you can't achieve 1080p over component, but I think by full resolution they are referring to 1080i/720p over component as opposed to the ICT restricted 540p or whatever it is
Michael @ May 21st 2006 4:24PM
Component cables are perfectly capable of displaying 1080p pictures ... are you referring to the devices limiting 1080p from being displayed over component even without the ICT?
zombieflanders @ May 21st 2006 10:11PM
Some of the hardware reps over at AVS Forum have stated in the past that component is quite capable of physically handling 1080p. We'll know for sure when the Blu-ray players start to come out, since they are all stated to have 1080p output.
Chris Lanier @ May 21st 2006 11:00PM
Again. AACS states 1080p over digital connections ONLY. No Blu-ray (or HD DVD) Player will be doing 1080p out of component.
And yes, component can handle 1080p fine. That doesn't mean you will be seeing any players supporting it. (Again, not a single one will)
The only way you might be able to see if the hardware itself supports over component is to get a disc with 1080p content without AACS (self-made disc for example).
Chris
Ben Hobbs @ May 22nd 2006 3:27PM
Jusrt wait for the Chinese players to arrive, they will support 1080p over component.
Paul @ Nov 12th 2006 4:52PM
I will only buy a HD DVD that will play 1080i over my component video connections to my HDTV. No buts. No ICT copy-protection. If manufacturers want to kill my purchase, what can I do. I am not buying another HDTV with HDMI connections. If they do not want my purchase, OK. The regular DVD's will be cheeper.