Audio Video News

CE Pro reported yesterday that Blu-ray players made after December 31, 2010, will be required to downconvert high-def content to 480i or 576i for their component-video outputs. Who has the authority to require this? The AACS Licensing Administrator, that's who. This industry-wide organization develops and maintains the Advanced Access Content System, a critical element in the effort to combat piracy by managing how content can be viewed and copied.

Last updated in June 2009, the AACS Adopter Agreement is 188 pages long, and this particular item is found on page 106, so it's no wonder it hasn't gotten more attention before now. Here's the text of the relevant portion:

2.2.2.1 Analog Sunset – 2010. With the exception of Existing Models, any Licensed Player manufactured after December 31, 2010 shall limit analog video outputs for Decrypted AACS Content to SD Interlace Modes only. Existing Models may be manufactured and sold by Adopter up until December 31, 2011. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Adopter may continue to manufacture and sell an Existing Model in which the implementation of AACS Technology is a Robust Inactive Product after December 31, 2010 provided that when such Robust Inactive Product is activated through a Periodic Update, such Periodic Update results in a Licensed Player that limits analog video outputs for Decrypted AACS Content to SD Interlace Modes only. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to override limitations or obligations stated in any other section of this Agreement.

For purposes of this section, "SD Interlace Modes" shall mean composite video, s-video, 480i component video and 576i video.

2.2.2.2 Analog Sunset – 2013. No Licensed Player that passes Decrypted AACS Content to analog video outputs may be manufactured or sold by Adopter after December 31, 2013.

At the moment, AACS applies only to Blu-ray players, and all Blu-ray content providers, replicators, and player manufacturers must license the technology. A licensing agreement for online content is under development and should be available this year.

This is very bad news for anyone with a legacy A/V receiver that has no HDMI. Up to now, these users could connect the component output of a Blu-ray player to the AVR and get a 1080i signal, which isn't ideal but may be better—or at least more convenient—than connecting the player's HDMI output to the display and audio output to the AVR and then having to switch both devices. Starting next year, they will no longer have this option with new players, so it might be a good idea to get a BD player or HDMI-equipped AVR before then.