Conclusion
We have to admit, we only recently figured out the consequences of HDCP. It´s been months since we knew that a coming norm would be problematic and this is the reason for this article. It took so long, because of a lack of information even on the part of the manufacturer. It is only after getting to the bottom of the subject that we learned its true dimension.
In short, even if you have bought one of the rare HDCP monitors on the market (the probability is low except if it includes an HD Ready sticker) it wouldn´t be capable of displaying protected HD videos because your current graphic card isn´t compatible. Even if you would have paid the money for the latest graphic card, with video interpolation and processing it doesn´t support DRM and HD protected movies. The result would have been the same; a black screen in the worst case and downsizing at best. So why all the fuss? Because these functions would have cost a little bit more and in this context (a cut throat price war), no one want to increase its prices for something nobody is asking for...just because of a lack of information.
So neither monitor nor graphic card manufacturers offer this function, which isn´t too expensive and available since at least 2003, because we don´t ask for it. Is it time to tell them that it´s now urgent to include it? For that isn´t the best way to write to them directly? Here is a sample letter:
Object : Why my monitor and graphic card aren’t HDCP certified? To whom it may concern,
I recently bought some new computer equipment and had in mind the possibility of reading HD content. For now everything is OK, demonstration movies available on Microsoft and Apple websites are displayed perfectly.
How could I ever imagined that I wouldn´t be able to read protected HD content (Blu-Ray, HD-DVD, satellite, cable or downloaded) because my monitor or my graphic card don´t include the required components which only cost a few $?!?
HD movies are about to be released. On the market there are no compatible graphic cards or monitors even if the components for HDCP certification are available at least since 2003?!?
This choice leaves me perplexed Based on the fact that you, the manufacturer are aware of this unavoidable norm for three years and that ensuring the compatibility would have cost you only $5 per product, do I have to conclude that you are simply planning on us renewing your products?
Thank you for any reply,
Kind but sincerely disappointed regards.
We could also add the major graphic card and monitor manufacturers:
ATI,
NVIDIA,
INTEL,
Acer,
Apple,
Belinea,
BenQ,
Dell,
Eizo,
Fujistu-Siemens,
HP,
Hyundaï,
Iiyama,
LaCie,
LG,
Nec,
Packard Bell,
Philips,
Samsung,
Sony,
ViewSonic...
Of course; we also have to include the
MPA (Motion Picture Association) because they are at the origin of HDCP. Once more, the cost of this norm, which is supposed to protect content providers and their revenues will be put on those who will see their liberty (private copies) strongly reduced. They definitively want to have their cake and eat it too.
In the end, knowing that we bought our components and now have flat or CRT monitors capable of displaying at least 720p videos and that we will legally rent or buy HD protected movies we won´t be able to watch them, because we could pirate them. We only hope today that someone will find a software answer as soon as possible…
There is still a tiny hope though. HDCP protection will only really be included in a few media within the next 6 months. More will join in a year when the general public will start to be really interested.
There is still time for manufacturers and most of all editors to find an agreement and less violent solution than downsized and / or black images because of a lack of HDCP compatibility. Let´s hope that we will have worried too much for nothing.
