Yes, what you wrote above may be true, but it's incomplete. Yes, MPAA wants to use SOC to turn off your analog outputs, but remember this is "Selectable Output Control," not "Selectable Analog Output Control." MPAA isn't just asking the FCC for the ability to limit content out analog outs, it's asking the FCC for the right to be able to choose which output it's movies can use.
Meaning, MPAA could develop it's own special output plug, and only allow it's content to flow out from that plug. Sony is a member of the MPAA, and one of the studios that asked for SOC. Sony is also the company that developed a special proprietary port on the back of their Bravia TVs that their online distribution uses--Hancock is reportedly going to be released early, but only thru this special port on Bravia TVs.
Coming up with a new plug in itself isn't a bad thing, but be assured that manufacturers who want to use that port will have to cripple the functionality of their device. I suggest to you that *that* is what MPAA is really after, not just turning off analog outs.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
alex @ Jul 24th 2008 9:48AM
Yes, what you wrote above may be true, but it's incomplete. Yes, MPAA wants to use SOC to turn off your analog outputs, but remember this is "Selectable Output Control," not "Selectable Analog Output Control." MPAA isn't just asking the FCC for the ability to limit content out analog outs, it's asking the FCC for the right to be able to choose which output it's movies can use.
Meaning, MPAA could develop it's own special output plug, and only allow it's content to flow out from that plug. Sony is a member of the MPAA, and one of the studios that asked for SOC. Sony is also the company that developed a special proprietary port on the back of their Bravia TVs that their online distribution uses--Hancock is reportedly going to be released early, but only thru this special port on Bravia TVs.
Coming up with a new plug in itself isn't a bad thing, but be assured that manufacturers who want to use that port will have to cripple the functionality of their device. I suggest to you that *that* is what MPAA is really after, not just turning off analog outs.