Will 2008 be the year for Selectable Output Control?
If you've been following the development of HDTV for a long time, then you've probably heard of Selectable Output Control. Years ago before HDMI was a reality and not all HDTVs had DVI ports, component was king; then along came some new DRM that would allow a provider to disable a STB's output that didn't support DRM (read component). Fearing harm to their new pet project, the FCC forbid its use, but left the door open. Now it appears that the door may be opened in 2008 by providers who might require that you use HDMI with HDCP or watch your HD on your older HD set at 480p. According to Scott Greczkowski from SatelliteGuys.us, DISH Network has recently started instructing their installers to use HDMI and that if the customer's HDTV doesn't support HDCP, that they shouldn't use HDMI at all -- better to be downconverted, then to not be seen at all. We hope this never happens, but we understand how much pressure providers can be under from the content owners. We don't believe the FCC will ever allow them to lock down everything, but even if only PPV is affected, we'd be bummed.
Filed under: Industry, Regulatory
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Eddie @ Dec 6th 2007 2:03PM
The day they do this is the day I, a responsible consumer who likes paying for my content, become Robin Hood and set up an internet feed from my house for all to see.
They cannot do this to their paying customers, and the FCC would be wise to examine the effects of a substantial increase in piracy were this ever to happen.
Let me pay for what I use how I want to use it, or I will steal it out of principle you greedy bastards.
Pekingman @ Dec 6th 2007 2:59PM
If DirecTV ever does this to more than just PPV channels, I'll cancel my account immediately. I have an older HD set and if I have to buy a new set or watch downconverted content to get the content to it, fuck it. My OTA antenna will be my new best friend. I'm not going to pay $100 a month for the premium package to watch TV the way I want without having to buy new hardware to satisfy the insecurities of companies whose policies only promote more piracy. Are you reading this DirecTV or Dish or Cable Company?
yachipe @ Dec 6th 2007 3:06PM
i have to see....
Leonardo DiCrapio @ Dec 6th 2007 3:16PM
HDMI seems like it was a collaboration between the content providers and the electronics manufacturers. Most people will be forced to upgrade their equipment, so the electronics manufacturers end up winning. My 27" Sony CRT SDTV that I bought in 2000 had S-Video which was brand new to me because I got a DVD player with S-Video as a birthday present in 2000 (I bought the TV after I got the DVD player). In the last ten years, average consumers have seen with new HDTV's, three additional newer, better video interfaces (DVI, component, and HDMI -- with HDMI carrying audio, also).
Not using HDMI usually leads to the inability to upconvert DVD's with most DVD players -- I hacked my Oppo, though. I have a Yamaha RX-V2500 A/V receiver (without HDMI). I have a sub-$100 RCA HD-DVD player I bought on EBay that I will use the analog 5.1 outputs to get Dolby TrueHD from whatever HD DVD's offer it (i.e. Batman Begins and Blade Runner). Unless I got a top of the line Toshiba HD-XA2 or HD-A35 (both of which were more than I wanted to pay for considering I will not even be getting 1080p out of them), I had to go with a 1st generation player (which I did) in order to get the best audio. I don't have my Oppo hooked up with analog 5.1 outputs (I have no SACD's or DVD-Audio discs, so it probably would not be worthwhile).
Jason @ Dec 6th 2007 3:19PM
Ouch, 9 million Xbox360 owners just got stitched up... (those without HDMI)..
Glad I waited for the real deal, and did not jump on the early adopter bandwagon..
Wes @ Dec 6th 2007 4:21PM
No offense intended, but are you sure you read the article before commenting? This has nothing to do about xbox 360s or xbox 360's component versus hdmi connections. It mentions 'DISH NETWORK recently...' not 'MICROSOFT recently...' and some the possiblity that some cable/satalite providers might prevent hd-playback if you don't have a hdcp compliant set.
Nowhere did it say xbox 360s would ever be downconverted. Where the heck did that thought come from? Fanboyism?
Justin @ Dec 6th 2007 4:49PM
The funny thing is that Dish's own HD receivers deliver a better picture over component than HDMI. This will be a boon for HDMI switches and receivers, since most inexpensive HDTV's only have one HDMI input.
DarkRogue @ Dec 6th 2007 6:24PM
Bad idea and a good way to lose subscribers. A lot of people have TV's that don't do HDCP (meaning they also can't use HD players) and would as mentioned above instantly drop their service if they can't even get HD content. Next with the losses the rates will have to go up or DISH and any other company that does this will see a lot of investors pull out if they don't and see severely diminished returns and even more subscribers will pull the plug. Don't forget your customers are the reason you exist.
GhostDoggy @ Dec 6th 2007 6:48PM
I see no problem with this anymore. There are several sources that allow you to feed protected content into a little black box and output it on analog. I cannot imagine the courts actually sending you to jail for pirating content you paid for while doing so in your home on an old display.
BTW, I do this now.