New wrinkle in HD DVD security 'downgrade'

[Javert]

Remember the thread on AACS' downgrading HD DVD/BluRay video quality if you didn't have HDMI and its security measures?
http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?t=101640

Turns out there may be a loophole: Japan.

Well if your one of those millions who think the studios are screwing you over, now comes a loophole for you to exploit and probably the most sane development in this whole argument. DVD File reports that in the March 2006 Issue of Nikkei Electronics Asia, an article indicates that the AACS standards are being implemented in Japan somewhat differently than in North America. HD-DVD discs sold in Japan and a few other unnamed countries will not impose the 'image constraint' security measure over analog component video connections until 2011.

This gives the owners of the installed base of HD-ready displays that are not equipped with HDMI inputs around five years to retire their sets and replace them with suitable displays. For Japan, equipment manufactured after 2010 will no longer be capable of outputting full resolution video in analog form; that's when image constraint will be implemented. And after 2013, analog video outputs will be eliminated completely in Japan.

In short: The limit doesn't apply on Japan's machines until 2010. Ironically, guess where piracy is more prevalent, US or Asia? So basically, partial security=no security.

So for those worried about HDMI outputs and the like, imports are your best bet.

The losers in this loophole? Consumers and American sellers. Winners? UPS and E-bay.

Source

 

[VirusType2]

great.

Hopefully this whole thing becomes widely known so we can have the most amount of people possible screwing those bastards that are trying to screw the consumers