This is a most interesting interview that was held by BetaNews with a representative from the HD-DVD camp. A troubling aspect for the future of both the new High Def formats is they are both hinging the success or adoption of their formats on Hollywood content. This, like many things, is a two way street. After all, what good is high definition and players, if their is nothing to watch? On the other hand, we as consumers, will be holding in our hot little hands, veritable digital masters of multi million dollar projects. For that reason, the studios are apprehensive to say the least to start passing these things out with the Internet throbbing in the background and PC enthusiasts sitting with dual core CPU desktops with near terabyte storage systems at the ready. At issue as well is, there are differences of opinion on just how much freedom Joe Blow the consumer should be allowed with said content.
For a while, there was a bit of wrangling going on with one aspect of the AACS or Advanced Access Content System. This is known as Mandatory Managed Copy. The purpose of this in very simple terms was to make it possible to use these discs in a variety of ways other than just play them on a television from a high definition player. For instance, one should be able to stream the content over a home network, or even play it on a PC. Both camps finally were able to promise the inclusion of Mandatory Managed Copy. However, due to the many agreements that had to be struck with Hollywood, things may not be as rosy as it would seem at first glance.
On January 7th, BetaNews sat down with HD DVD representative "expert" Mark Knox, to discuss how the Microsoft-backed format will compete with Sony's Blu-ray. Knox of course, is not going to be very positive about the rival camp Blu-ray. In fact, in this snippet from the interview, he lets it slip that Blu-rays flavor of Mandatory Managed Copy may have some nasty tricks up it's sleeve, tricks that could confuse most consumers or at least they may get an unpleasant surprise, if they purchase any Blu-ray discs containing content from Fox Studios:
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Knox said Fox was unhappy with the decision to let consumers watch movies where they please using Mandatory Managed Copy. Managed Copy has become a contentious point in the next-generation DVD battle, with HP demanding that Blu-ray require the technology on all discs. However, as Fox's proprietary DRM will run after AACS, the studio could theoretically restrict such portability. This proprietary format is also rumored to have delayed the PlayStation 3, which will include a Blu-ray drive for the masses. Pioneer is set to launch a $1,800 Blu-ray player in May. |
Nothing like a little proprietary DRM icing on an already unpalatable cake, yummy! You should take a moment to go over to the BetaNews site and read this interview in it's entirety. They also go into a lengthy explanation of how they feel the Blu-ray strategy is a failure from the get-go due to technical issues. I am sure that those CD Freaks out there that are very knowledgeable in writing strategies, will be very interested in Mr. Knox's negative comments on Blu-rays writing scheme! In addition, you can also read an interview with the Blu-ray camp, dated January 6, in an article entitled "What format war?" that may be of interest as well!
Source: Beta News
