Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Analog sunset begins, all the new Blu-ray players will only output HD via HDMI]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/10/analog-sunset-begins-all-the-new-blu-ray-players-will-only-outp/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/10/analog-sunset-begins-all-the-new-blu-ray-players-will-only-outp/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/10/analog-sunset-begins-all-the-new-blu-ray-players-will-only-outp/#commentsLas Vegas Sunset The chicken littles have been worried about this since long before the first Blu-ray (or even HD DVD) title was ever released, and the first step towards the analog sunset has officially come. Any new Blu-ray player announced after January 1st 2011 will only output HD via HDMI -- players that started shipping last year can still be sold until the end of this year though. If you just love component video, you might figure you'll be able to get a player today and continue to enjoy it for years to come, but maybe not. You see the studios also have the Image Constraint Token (ICT) which when set on a title will tell every and all Blu-ray players to down convert analog output to 540p. The only reprieve is that if its set on a title, it must be marked on the box, and of course it can't be retroactively set (any title you own now will continue to play exactly the same way it does on your existing players). We're waiting for final confirmation, but apparently the ICT hasn't been an option to studios until now so start looking for the icon on your latest purchases. The final stage in the sunset is 2013 when analog outputs will be removed from Blu-ray players completely, but we suspect we'll have better things to worry about by then like ultra HD or digital distribution.

Analog sunset begins, all the new Blu-ray players will only output HD via HDMI originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 21:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSanalog sunsetAnalogSunsetBlu-rayICTimage constraint tokenImageConstraintTokenMon, 10 Jan 2011 21:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Analog HD from Blu-ray isn't going anywhere]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/18/analog-hd-from-blu-ray-isnt-going-anywhere/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/18/analog-hd-from-blu-ray-isnt-going-anywhere/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/18/analog-hd-from-blu-ray-isnt-going-anywhere/#comments
People just love to hate on DRM and honestly we understand, in fact we hate DRM as much as anyone. But like we've said in the past, as much as we hate it, we aren't willing to lie to paint it in a bad light -- the facts do a good enough job by themselves. The latest from a few chicken littles is that after December 31st 2010, Blu-ray Discs won't play in HD via analog outputs. Now anyone who's followed Blu-ray and AACS knows that the analog sunset is nothing new and is not good news. But the fact is it only applies to new Blu-ray players released after said date. So in other words it does NOT apply to all the players currently on the market. This of course means that the Blu-ray player you installed today will continue to work the same ways it does today for years to come. Now to make matters worse, some have confused the AACS's analog sunset policy with the Image Constraint Token. While both are bad for consumers, they aren't related. The analog sunset defines the types of outputs a Blu-ray player has, while the ICT is per title and affects all Blu-ray players no matter when they were manufactured. The other important point about the ICT is that studios have had the ability to implement since it since the first HD DVDs shipped, but has never been used. Each studio announced its plans not to use the ICT for the foreseeable future, but the rumor is that the ride might be over this year, or next. The only good news about the ICT is that the outside of the box must be marked if its used, so at least you know before you buy.

Bottom line is that any player or disc you buy today will be playable as long as you own it. So as long as the player doesn't break, it'll continue to output HD via its analog outputs and any Blu-ray disc will continue to work the same way it did when you bought it. Everyone knows that analog will die one day -- and for good reason -- but lets not run around and pretend that the Blu-ray players and discs we buy are going to somehow self destruct any time soon.

Analog HD from Blu-ray isn't going anywhere originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSBlu-rayDRMhdICTImage Contraint TokenImageContraintTokenThu, 18 Mar 2010 19:26:00 EST<![CDATA[At this point it doesn't look like Managed copy will ever get here]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/26/at-this-point-it-doesnt-look-like-managed-copy-will-ever-ger-he/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/26/at-this-point-it-doesnt-look-like-managed-copy-will-ever-ger-he/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/26/at-this-point-it-doesnt-look-like-managed-copy-will-ever-ger-he/#commentsManaged Copy Oh Managed Copy, the feature that made such a big stink so early on in the Format War still can't seem to become a reality. It was bad enough that it took until the very last version of the AACS to even be defined. Now here we are six months later and although last month all the studios have signed the new AACS license, Managed Copy doesn't seem any closer. It doesn't matter that all the discs being shipped today support it, because evidently the license servers aren't anywhere near being operational. In fact the only thing that has seemed to have happened in the last six months -- other than discs shipping today that support it -- is that we caught a demo of it from Pioneer in September at CEDIA and Cyberlink was telling people at CES that PowerDVD will support it this year. Don't get us wrong, we still think it's coming, but it just need to go ahead and get here already.

At this point it doesn't look like Managed copy will ever get here originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSBlu-rayCyberlinkhdManaged CopyManagedCopyPowerDVDFri, 26 Feb 2010 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Managed Copy hits Blu-ray Discs December 4th, but you still can't use it]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/07/managed-copy-hits-blu-ray-discs-december-4th-but-you-still-can/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/07/managed-copy-hits-blu-ray-discs-december-4th-but-you-still-can/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/07/managed-copy-hits-blu-ray-discs-december-4th-but-you-still-can/#commentsManaged Copy demo
The egg had to come before the chicken right? Well either way, one of 'em came first and in the case of the latest Blu-ray feature, Managed Copy, the Blu-ray Discs will come before the hardware. Less than five months since AACS was finalized and the details of Managed Copy were revealed and so far we've only seen one demo and not a single product announcement. This doesn't surprise us, but AACS-LA is apparently surprised because although all Blu-ray Discs sold after December 4th have no choice but to allow at least one copy to be made, the requirement to label the packaging as such has been postponed until Spring of next year. We'd expect at least a few products that support Managed Copy to be announced at CES and although we highly doubt any stand-alone Blu-ray players will sport this feature anytime soon, we do have our hopes on PC software and expect a few movie jukebox devices like Kaleidescape -- that we won't be able to afford -- will be announced at the big show in Vegas.

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Managed Copy hits Blu-ray Discs December 4th, but you still can't use it originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSBlu-rayHD moviesHdMovieshdtvManaged CopyManagedCopySat, 07 Nov 2009 02:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: First working Blu-ray Managed Copy demo]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/video-frist-working-blu-ray-managed-copy-demo/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/video-frist-working-blu-ray-managed-copy-demo/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/video-frist-working-blu-ray-managed-copy-demo/#commentsManaged Copy video
Just because Pioneer isn't in the plasma business anymore doesn't mean the company is dead, and one of the new points of focus over there is on media aggregation. So part of the new do-it-all Entertainment Tap concept Pioneer was displaying today included a demo of storing Managed Copies of Blu-ray Discs on a hard drive. The copy itself was done in about 4x real time (dependent on the drive's speed) and looked great thanks to some hardware transcoding. We also appreciated the Pioneer interface that made copying the disc easy. Of course at this point this is just a demo, with no word on availability or price, but it is a start to what will one day hopefully be a better way to enjoy HD movies.

Continue reading Video: First working Blu-ray Managed Copy demo

Video: First working Blu-ray Managed Copy demo originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSBlu-rayCEDIACEDIA 2009Cedia2009Entertainment TapEntertainmentTapETfeaturedfeaturedvideofeaturesManaged CopyManagedCopyPioneervideoThu, 10 Sep 2009 19:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: First working Blu-ray Managed Copy demo]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/video-frist-working-blu-ray-managed-copy-demo/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/video-frist-working-blu-ray-managed-copy-demo/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/video-frist-working-blu-ray-managed-copy-demo/#commentsManaged Copy video

Just because Pioneer isn't in the plasma business anymore doesn't mean the company is dead, and one of the new points of focus over there is on media aggregation. So part of the new do-it-all Entertainment Tap concept Pioneer was displaying today included a demo of storing Managed Copies of Blu-ray Discs on a hard drive. The copy itself was done in about 4x real time (dependent on the drive's speed) and looked great thanks to some hardware transcoding. We also appreciated the Pioneer interface that made copying the disc easy. Of course at this point this is just a demo, with no word on availability or price, but it is a start to what will one day hopefully be a better way to enjoy HD movies.

Continue reading Video: First working Blu-ray Managed Copy demo

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Video: First working Blu-ray Managed Copy demo originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSblu rayBlu-rayblurayCEDIACEDIA 2009Cedia2009Entertainment TapEntertainmentTapETfeaturedhdManaged CopyManagedCopyPioneervideoThu, 10 Sep 2009 19:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Poll: How much would you pay to make a copy of a Blu-ray Disc?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/20/poll-how-much-would-you-pay-to-make-a-copy-of-a-blu-ray-disc/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/20/poll-how-much-would-you-pay-to-make-a-copy-of-a-blu-ray-disc/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/20/poll-how-much-would-you-pay-to-make-a-copy-of-a-blu-ray-disc/#commentsManaged Copy
Now that Hollywood is going to finally give us a way to make a copy of the movies we buy -- and maybe rent -- we wonder how much people are actually be willing to pay. It obviously should be somewhere between free and the original cost of the disc, and while we go back and forth about the idea of paying for a copy at all, we can see both perspectives. Ultimately we're just happy to have more choices, but paying $30 for a copy of a $30 disc would obviously be no choice at all.

View Poll

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Poll: How much would you pay to make a copy of a Blu-ray Disc? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSAACS-LAblu rayblu-rayblurayhdManaged CopyManagedCopySat, 20 Jun 2009 13:23:00 EST<![CDATA[The plan for legit Blu-ray copies explained at Engadget HD]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/19/the-plan-for-legit-blu-ray-copies-explained-at-engadget-hd/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/19/the-plan-for-legit-blu-ray-copies-explained-at-engadget-hd/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/19/the-plan-for-legit-blu-ray-copies-explained-at-engadget-hd/#comments
For those with a disc rack full of Blu-ray packages and who'd like to shove all those optical discs to the attic for a streamlined media server solution -- without resorting to other routes like downloading or cracking open AACS -- Managed Copy is finally on the way, thanks to the just finalized AACS specification, to offer an authorized option for making a copy of your Blu-ray disc. We had a nice long talk with gatekeepers AACS-LA about what to expect when compatible Blu-ray hardware arrives in 2010 and Managed Copy-enabled discs begin shipping later this year; for more details like how many copies can be made, how the DRM works and how much this might cost head over to Engadget HD and see what it all means, and hopefully when we can put away our discs for the last time in favor of a Blu-ray Jukebox.

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The plan for legit Blu-ray copies explained at Engadget HD originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aacsaacs-labackupblu-rayblu-ray jukeboxBlu-rayJukeboxcopydrmengadget hdEngadgetHdhdtvkaleidascapemanaged copyManagedCopymedia serverMediaServerFri, 19 Jun 2009 20:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Blu-ray's Managed Copy explained, a Movie Jukebox is possible]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/19/blu-rays-managed-copy-explained-a-movie-jukebox-is-possible/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/19/blu-rays-managed-copy-explained-a-movie-jukebox-is-possible/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/19/blu-rays-managed-copy-explained-a-movie-jukebox-is-possible/#commentsWe'll be honest, while others were predicting how poorly implemented the new Managed Copy system for Blu-ray would be -- mostly because the studios can charge for copies -- we were dreaming of new ways we'd like to enjoy our favorite movies. With DVD's CSS, everything was very restricted; simple tasks like transferring a movie to your PMP or storing 'em all on a Media Center PC was way, way more complicated than it should be -- not to mention a violation of the DMCA. Obviously we wanted to know more, so we went straight to the source and asked the AACS-LA exactly how it'll work, as well as how it'll handle things like rent, rip and return. Surprisingly, we were actually happy after the call and contrary to what you might believe, Managed Copy was actually designed with the consumer in mind.

Continue reading Blu-ray's Managed Copy explained, a Movie Jukebox is possible

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Blu-ray's Managed Copy explained, a Movie Jukebox is possible originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It took over three years, but mandatory Managed Copy is set to become a reality next year as each studio is required to sign the recently finalized AACS license by December 4th 2009, and any studio that signs early receives up to a 25 percent discount on licensing fees. What isn't mandatory, though, is hardware support, and although the current generation of players definitely won't work, most expect the majority of new BD devices to. The cost (you didn't think it'd be free, did you?) and the number of copies is up to the studio, but at least one copy will be allowed. That copy can be made via a menu on the disc and can take the form of another Blu-ray Disc or a DRM-laced Microsoft file. Up until now, Apple hasn't joined the party so no joy for iPod users -- although this could still happen. Either way, a connection to either the AACS' or studio's authorization server will be required to make it work. As cool as this all sounds, we're still skeptical; and although we'll be the first to try it, somehow we don't think it'll live up to our expectations.

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Blu-ray gets Managed Copy next year, requires new hardware originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSAACSLABlu-rayhdtvManaged CopyManagedCopyMandatory Managed CopyMandatoryManagedCopyMicrosoft DRMMicrosoftDrmFri, 12 Jun 2009 10:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Blu-ray gets Managed Copy next year, requires new hardware]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/12/blu-ray-gets-managed-copy-next-year-requries-new-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/12/blu-ray-gets-managed-copy-next-year-requries-new-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/12/blu-ray-gets-managed-copy-next-year-requries-new-hardware/#commentsManaged Copy
It took over three years, but mandatory Managed Copy is set to become a reality next year as each studio is required to sign the recently finalized AACS license by December 4th 2009, and any studio that signs early receives up to a 25 percent discount on licensing fees. What isn't mandatory, though, is hardware support, and although the current generation of players definitely won't work, most expect the majority of new BD devices to. The cost (you didn't think it'd be free, did you?) and the number of copies is up to the studio, but at least one copy will be allowed. That copy can be made via a menu on the disc and can take the form of another Blu-ray Disc or a DRM-laced Microsoft file. Up until now, Apple hasn't joined the party so no joy for iPod users -- although this could still happen. Either way, a connection to either the AACS' or studio's authorization server will be required to make it work. As cool as this all sounds, we're still skeptical; and although we'll be the first to try it, somehow we don't think it'll live up to our expectations.

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Blu-ray gets Managed Copy next year, requires new hardware originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSAACSLAblu rayBlu-rayblurayhdManaged CopyManagedCopyMandatory Managed CopyMandatoryManagedCopyMicrosoft DRMMicrosoftDrmFri, 12 Jun 2009 10:34:00 EST<![CDATA[AACS finalized, death to analog in 2013]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/08/aacs-finalize-death-to-analog-in-2013/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/08/aacs-finalize-death-to-analog-in-2013/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/08/aacs-finalize-death-to-analog-in-2013/#commentsNot that any of this really matters since AACS has long since been made irrelevant, but this really pulls back the reigns on anyone who thought Hollywood was making progress in its perspective on DRM. What we mean is, at a time when music is sold DRM free, Hollywood demands that new Blu-ray players made after December 31st of 2013 will no longer support analog on any AACS protected content. Of course who even knows what we'll be watching in four years, or if HDTVs will even have analog inputs by then, but what's worse is that starting in 2011, new Blu-ray players will only output SD via component, which for all intents and purposes makes component useless. The only good news in the final version of the AACS is that Managed Copy is alive and well, but a lot of good that does if no studio ever decides to use it.

[Via Blu-ray.com]

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AACS finalized, death to analog in 2013 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSanalog holeanalog sunsetAnalogHoleAnalogSunsetblu rayblu-rayblurayhdManaged CopyManagedCopyMon, 08 Jun 2009 10:54:00 EST<![CDATA[SlySoft working on user friendly Blu-ray player software]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/slysoft-working-on-user-friendly-blu-ray-player-software/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/slysoft-working-on-user-friendly-blu-ray-player-software/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/slysoft-working-on-user-friendly-blu-ray-player-software/#commentsSlySoft AnyDVD HDThere is no shortage of Blu-ray playback software for Windows, but most of it can be pretty annoying. Assuming you even have all the HDCP compliant hardware to use it, it is still pretty limited in regards to audio capabilities and then worst of all, there is all the forced video like previews and legal warnings. Lucky for us the AACS LA's worst nightmare, SlySoft, has plans to make Blu-ray playback on a computer even less painful. While AnyDVD already allows you to playback Blu-ray Discs on non-HDCP complaint hardware, in addition this should let you output uncompressed PCM audio via HDMI without the protected path that is only available in very expensive audio cards. It would also let you disable BDJ and skip straight to the start of a movie -- possibly even resuming BDJ discs. And our personal favorite is the ability to skip those annoying legal warning, of which we are actually close to reciting the one in French because we've read it so many times. No word on availability but at free, the price is right. While SlySoft is working so hard, we'd also like some Mac software to help ease Apple users' "bag of hurt."

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SlySoft working on user friendly Blu-ray player software originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 May 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The reason Blu-ray recorders have migrated from Japan to the UK recently -- and why you'll likely never see them in the U.S. -- is all about the copyright holders. Danielle Nagler, head of BBC HD, hit the blogs to break down the wheres and hows of the DRM changes associated with bringing FreeSat disc HD DVRs like the Panasonic DMR-BS850 and Humax FOXSAT-HDR to market, basically meaning users are allowed one HD copy of a show, which can be played back on protected devices and connections only (transfer to portable players is planned to the future.) Follow the flow chart for the details, and figure out if it'd be worth it to make your own BD-R DVR backups so easily.

[Via Pocket-Lint]

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BBC breaks down the new DRM rules for Blu-ray recorders originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aacsbbcbbc hdBbcHdblu-rayblu-ray recorderBlu-rayRecordercopyrightdmr-bs850drmdtcp-ipfoxsat-hdrfreesathd dvrHdDvrhdtvhumaxsatelliteFri, 17 Apr 2009 16:01:00 EST<![CDATA[BBC breaks down the new DRM rules for Blu-ray recorders]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/17/bbc-breaks-down-the-new-drm-rules-for-blu-ray-recorders/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/17/bbc-breaks-down-the-new-drm-rules-for-blu-ray-recorders/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/17/bbc-breaks-down-the-new-drm-rules-for-blu-ray-recorders/#comments
The reason Blu-ray recorders have migrated from Japan to the UK recently -- and why you'll likely never see them in the U.S. -- is all about the copyright holders. Danielle Nagler, head of BBC HD, hit the blogs to break down the wheres and hows of the DRM changes associated with bringing FreeSat disc HD DVRs like the Panasonic DMR-BS850 and Humax FOXSAT-HDR to market, basically meaning users are allowed one HD copy of a show, which can be played back on protected devices and connections only (transfer to portable players is planned to the future.) Follow the flow chart for the details, and figure out if it'd be worth it to make your own BD-R DVR backups so easily.

[Via Pocket-Lint]

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BBC breaks down the new DRM rules for Blu-ray recorders originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aacsbbcbbc hdBbcHdblu rayblu-rayblu-ray recorderBlu-rayRecorderbluraycopyrightdmr-bs850drmdtcp-ipfoxsat-hdrfreesathdhd dvrHdDvrhumaxsatelliteFri, 17 Apr 2009 16:01:00 EST<![CDATA[S1Digital to roll out Xonar-equipped HTPCs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/13/s1digital-to-roll-out-xonar-equipped-htpcs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/13/s1digital-to-roll-out-xonar-equipped-htpcs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/13/s1digital-to-roll-out-xonar-equipped-htpcs/#commentsS1Digital P500 HTPC
We've seen (and heard) ASUS's Xonar HDAV1.3 HDMI card that is able to pass along lossless digital Blu-ray audio up close and personal, so it was only a matter of time before the hardware found its way into a custom-install HTPC. In this case, the first to market might just be S1Digital's P500 Media Center HTPC. As we said after our demo at CES, the ArcSoft + Xonar setup is a little involved, so it's probably a good fit for the custom-install world where integration legwork carries a high premium. S1Digital's free Windows 7 upgrade offer will remove the "instantly obsolete" barrier to entry, so really the only one remaining is that pesky $6,000 entry price. Any other OEMs are welcome to jump in and try to beat S1Digital to market, but we wouldn't count on a much cheaper option just yet.

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S1Digital to roll out Xonar-equipped HTPCs originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 03:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aacsasusblu rayblu-rayblurayhdhtpcmedia center pcmedia pcMediaCenterPcMediaPcothersp500prolines1digitalsound cardSoundCardxonarxonar hdav1.3XonarHdav1.3Fri, 13 Feb 2009 03:19:00 EST<![CDATA[CableCARD recordings and Blu-ray play at full resolution over analog outputs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/01/cablecard-recordings-and-blu-ray-play-at-full-resolution-over-an/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/01/cablecard-recordings-and-blu-ray-play-at-full-resolution-over-an/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/01/cablecard-recordings-and-blu-ray-play-at-full-resolution-over-an/#comments
Yes we know this is not news, but you'd think it was based on the various stories around the web like this one from Yahoo Tech. We don't mean to pick on this one specifically because honestly it is a very common mistake -- although this particular article is way off as the newer Macs do support HDCP -- but as draconian as CableLabs and the AACS can be, the analog hole is still open. Now that doesn't mean these DRM requirements aren't crazy or that this protected path we always hear about is a joking matter, but it is all for naught when the HD signal hits the analog outputs -- the digital outputs do require HDCP though. This means you can watch any Blu-ray Disc or digital cable program recorded with an ATI Digital Cable Tuner at full 1080i via VGA or component -- Blu-ray Discs can be played back at 1080p via VGA but component doesn't support it. Now we're not trying to say this will always be the case, as both technologies support down-rezzing via analog outputs, but as it stands now these bits have never turned on. Now to the main point of this particular article, which is why Macs don't have a CableCARD option. Our best guess would be that Elgato doesn't want to pony up the $200k for the CableLabs certification process and honestly we don't blame 'em.

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CableCARD recordings and Blu-ray play at full resolution over analog outputs originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSanalog holeAnalogHoleblu rayblu-rayblurayCableCARDDCTElgatohdHDCPICTimage constraint tokenImageConstraintTokenMacOSXSun, 01 Feb 2009 20:41:00 EST<![CDATA[SlySoft takes down BD+ DRM once more]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/29/slysoft-takes-down-bd-drm-once-more/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/29/slysoft-takes-down-bd-drm-once-more/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/29/slysoft-takes-down-bd-drm-once-more/#comments
A fresher, probably completely unbreakable version of BD+ isn't even expected until February, but SlySoft's making sure you have plenty to watch on your non-HDCP compliant display over the holidays. The newest refresh of its AnyDVD HD software (v.6.5.0.2 at last count) reportedly "decrypts copy protection on all current Blu-ray movies." In conjunction with the celebration, the outfit is also reminding everyone that it will be moving to a subscription-based update program starting in the New Year, so you've got T-minus two days and counting to buy now and secure that 20% discount.

[Thanks, Erie]

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SlySoft takes down BD+ DRM once more originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aacsanydvdanydvd hdAnydvdHdBDBD plusBdPlusblu rayblu-raybluraycrackcrackedDRMhdMPAASlySoftMon, 29 Dec 2008 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[ASUS demos Xonar HDAV1.3 HDMI Deluxe sound card]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/asus-demos-xonar-hdav1-3-hdmi-deluxe-sound-card/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/asus-demos-xonar-hdav1-3-hdmi-deluxe-sound-card/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/16/asus-demos-xonar-hdav1-3-hdmi-deluxe-sound-card/#comments
One might assume that it'd be easy to forget a device that was introduced way back at the front end of this year, but for HTPC owners looking for a reliable way to bitstream Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio via HDMI, this one would be impossible to shake from the memory bank. Reportedly, the card went on sale (at least in some parts of the globe) this September, but early adopters were deeply saddened by the unit's inability to bitstream. Thankfully, ASUS has heard the weeping, and it has conjured up new drivers (and the Xonar HDAV1.3 HDMI Deluxe) in order to remedy the issue. The crew at TweakTown was able to video a live demonstration in Taiwan, and they came away emphatically impressed. Shoot on down to the read link for a look at what they found.

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ASUS demos Xonar HDAV1.3 HDMI Deluxe sound card originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSamdasusaudioF5ZF8Trhdhdmihdmi 1.3Hdmi1.3htpcother hardwareotherhardwarePAPSsound cardSoundCardvideoXonarXonar HDAV1.3XonarHdav1.3Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:53:00 EST<![CDATA[SlySoft moving to subscription-based upgrade model]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/12/slysoft-moving-to-subscription-based-upgrade-model/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/12/slysoft-moving-to-subscription-based-upgrade-model/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/12/slysoft-moving-to-subscription-based-upgrade-model/#commentsIt was nice to purchase SlySoft's AnyDVD HD once and let the gurus in Antigua continually re-break whatever DRM Hollywood chose to throw out, wasn't it? After this year, you can kiss that luxury goodbye -- that is, if you continue to sit on the sidelines. SlySoft has just announced that starting on January 1, 2009, it will "change its update policy from free lifetime updates to an annual subscription fee." The good news? Anyone who buys a SlySoft product before that day will not be affected by the change. In other words, you've still got a few weeks to decide whether or not you want to join the Blu-ray backup crowd, and to make your decision easier, the outfit is offering a 20% discount on all software products (save for upgrades) through December 31st.

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SlySoft moving to subscription-based upgrade model originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For all the digital download pundits who are quick to harp on the "limited viewing window" of downloadable material, chew on this. In a move that can only be described as "miraculous progress," Japan's own Tsutaya has somehow twisted the arms of four US film companies in order to allow HD content to be recorded to Blu-ray Discs or other optical media (up to two times) for later viewing. Initially, the Tsutaya TV on acTVila will have around half of its library (412 titles and growing) available for burning, and while details are somewhat fuzzy, we are told that HDTV video can be exported "without down-conversion" to BD-Rs, DVD-Rs and iVDR-S media. Of course, AACS protection will be applied, but this is infinitely more convenient than that whole Qflix disaster. Better still, we're told that future improvements will include down-converting HD content for use on portable devices (think Digital Copy), and it's anticipated that the downloadable films will be available day-and-date with hard copy releases. The rub? Each film will cost around ¥3,675 ($40), so for now, you're still better off heading to the store. Still -- focus on the progress, people, progress.

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Tsutaya online video portal to allow HD-to-optical disc burning originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSacTVilabdblu-rayday-and-datehd streamingHdStreaminginternet tvInternetTvjapanmedia streamermedia streamingMediaStreamerMediaStreamingonline tvonline videoOnlineTvOnlineVideostreamstreamingTsutayaTsutaya TV on acTVilaTsutayaTvOnActvilaThu, 11 Dec 2008 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Tsutaya online video portal to allow HD-to-optical disc burning]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/11/tsutaya-online-video-portal-to-allow-hd-to-optical-disc-burning/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/11/tsutaya-online-video-portal-to-allow-hd-to-optical-disc-burning/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/11/tsutaya-online-video-portal-to-allow-hd-to-optical-disc-burning/#comments
For all the digital download pundits who are quick to harp on the "limited viewing window" of downloadable material, chew on this. In a move that can only be described as "miraculous progress," Japan's own Tsutaya has somehow twisted the arms of four US film companies in order to allow HD content to be recorded to Blu-ray Discs or other optical media (up to two times) for later viewing. Initially, the Tsutaya TV on acTVila will have around half of its library (412 titles and growing) available for burning, and while details are somewhat fuzzy, we are told that HDTV video can be exported "without down-conversion" to BD-Rs, DVD-Rs and iVDR-S media. Of course, AACS protection will be applied, but this is infinitely more convenient than that whole Qflix disaster. Better still, we're told that future improvements will include down-converting HD content for use on portable devices (think Digital Copy), and it's anticipated that the downloadable films will be available day-and-date with hard copy releases. The rub? Each film will cost around ¥3,675 ($40), so for now, you're still better off heading to the store. Still -- focus on the progress, people, progress.

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Tsutaya online video portal to allow HD-to-optical disc burning originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSacTVilabdblu rayblu-rayblurayday-and-datehdhd streamingHdStreaminginternet tvInternetTvjapanmedia streamermedia streamingMediaStreamerMediaStreamingonline tvonline videoOnlineTvOnlineVideostreamstreamingTsutayaTsutaya TV on acTVilaTsutayaTvOnActvilaThu, 11 Dec 2008 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Hollywood can already control what you record on your DVR]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/22/hollywood-can-already-control-what-you-record-on-your-dvr/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/22/hollywood-can-already-control-what-you-record-on-your-dvr/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/22/hollywood-can-already-control-what-you-record-on-your-dvr/#commentsBlocked content
There has been a bit of a ruckus lately about the fact that Hollywood recently petitioned the FCC so that the ban on selectable output control (SOC) would be lifted. The articles go on to say that the this could impact the way you record with your HD DVRs, but it really isn't the case. As DirecTV HD DVR, TiVo HD and Vista Media Center owners (among others) can tell you, there are already flags out there that can either limit the amount of time you can keep a show, or prevent you from recording something entirely. The copy never flags are not supposed to be used, but it's obvious that they are, and the copy once flags get abused by some providers as a rule, rather than the exception. But SOC has nothing to do with recording on your HD DVR; SOC is all about closing the analog hole.

Continue reading Hollywood can already control what you record on your DVR

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Hollywood can already control what you record on your DVR originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSFCCfeaturedhdICTImage Contraint TokenMPAASeletable Output ControlSOCTue, 22 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SlySoft keeps AnyDVD HD current, circumvents latest BD+]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/18/slysoft-keeps-anydvd-hd-current-circumvents-latest-bd/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/18/slysoft-keeps-anydvd-hd-current-circumvents-latest-bd/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/18/slysoft-keeps-anydvd-hd-current-circumvents-latest-bd/#commentsThe crew over SlySoft isn't messing around, as just days after the v6.4.1.1 update hit the web, along comes yet another version to run laps around Big Content's best efforts. Posted yesterday, AnyDVD HD 6.4.5.0 adds in support for "a new version" of BD+ that's apparently included on films such as Jumper and a new flavor of AACS. This update also fixes a few minor problems with CSS logging and key retrieval, not to mention quirks found when removing ALPHA-DVD protection. You know the drill, head on down and stay current.

[Via CDFreaks]

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SlySoft keeps AnyDVD HD current, circumvents latest BD+ originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Worried about getting lossless digital audio from your BD-playin' HTPC via HDMI, are you? Fret no longer, as ASUS has just introduced your solution at Computex. Hailed as the "world's first HDMI 1.3a compliant audio / video enhancement combo card," the Xonar HDAV1.3 is both Protected Audio Playback Systems (PAPS) and Advanced Access Content System (AACS) certified, enabling it to pipe out bitstreamed multi-channel HD audio from Blu-ray Discs through a single cable. Yep, with some help of a special version of ArcSoft's TotalMedia Theater, it's also fully capable of decoding BD titles and taking full advantage of Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio -- not limited to 16bit like previous solutions -- and just so you know, the firm is also offering up a Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe (shown after the cut) which allows users to get 7.1-channels of audio the analog way. Pricing? Pssh -- this is ASUS we're talking about here.

[Via DailyTech]

Continue reading ASUS intros HDMI-equipped Xonar HDAV1.3 sound card

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ASUS intros HDMI-equipped Xonar HDAV1.3 sound card originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSamdasusblu rayblu-rayblurayComputexComputex 2008Computex2008F5ZF8Trhdother hardwareotherhardwareothersPAPSportssound cardSoundCardspeakersturionturion x2TurionX2XonarXonar HDAV1.3XonarHdav1.3Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:32:00 EST<![CDATA[ASUS intros HDMI-equipped Xonar HDAV1.3 sound card]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/05/asus-intros-hdmi-equipped-xonar-hdav1-3-sound-card/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/05/asus-intros-hdmi-equipped-xonar-hdav1-3-sound-card/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/05/asus-intros-hdmi-equipped-xonar-hdav1-3-sound-card/#comments
Worried about getting lossless digital audio from your BD-playin' HTPC via HDMI, are you? Fret no longer, as ASUS has just introduced your solution at Computex. Hailed as the "world's first HDMI 1.3a compliant audio / video enhancement combo card," the Xonar HDAV1.3 is both Protected Audio Playback Systems (PAPS) and Advanced Access Content System (AACS) certified, enabling it to pipe out bitstreamed multi-channel HD audio from Blu-ray Discs through a single cable. Yep, with some help of a special version of ArcSoft's TotalMedia Theater, it's also fully capable of decoding BD titles and taking full advantage of Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio -- not limited to 16bit like previous solutions -- and taking full advantage of Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio, and just so you know, the firm is also offering up a Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe (shown after the cut) which allows users to get 7.1-channels of audio the analog way. Pricing? Pssh -- this is ASUS we're talking about here.

[Via DailyTech]

Continue reading ASUS intros HDMI-equipped Xonar HDAV1.3 sound card

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ASUS intros HDMI-equipped Xonar HDAV1.3 sound card originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSamdasusComputexComputex 2008Computex2008F5ZF8TrPAPSsound cardSoundCardturionturion x2TurionX2XonarXonar HDAV1.3XonarHdav1.3Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Managed Copy to be sorely absent from finalized AACS specifications?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/22/managed-copy-to-be-sorely-absent-from-finalized-aacs-specificati/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/22/managed-copy-to-be-sorely-absent-from-finalized-aacs-specificati/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/22/managed-copy-to-be-sorely-absent-from-finalized-aacs-specificati/#commentsIt's sad, really. Nearly three full years ago we were attempting to curb our enthusiasm as we heard that Managed Copy could be a mandatory aspect of Blu-ray Discs. Fast forward to the present, and we're hearing the brilliant technology may not even make the cut for the finalized AACS specifications. According to Consumer Electronics Daily, the so-called "cornerstone of the AACS content protection system" may not ever become a reality, as the final AACS specs -- which are due to (finally) be wrapped up this summer -- aren't likely to include MC. As expected, the issue here seems to circle around content licensing, with studios "not always having the content rights to allow for a Managed Copy." Finally, a decent idea in the DRM realm, and it could quite possibly remain just an idea forever.

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Managed Copy to be sorely absent from finalized AACS specifications? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaCSblu rayblu-raybluraycopycopyingDRMhdManaged CopyManagedCopyTue, 22 Apr 2008 10:23:00 EST<![CDATA[SlySoft stays one step ahead of AACS]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/12/slysoft-stays-one-step-ahead-of-aacs/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/12/slysoft-stays-one-step-ahead-of-aacs/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/12/slysoft-stays-one-step-ahead-of-aacs/#commentsNothing lets you know spring is in the air like fevered cat-and-mouse DRM activity. The AACS LA (Advanced Access Content System Licensing Administrator) has seen fit to try the "proactive renewal" strategy, hoping that changing up the encryption keys will keep Blu-ray Region B users securely under thumb. Good luck: the ominous-sounding MKB v7 is already "supported" in SlySoft's AnyDVD HD version 6.4.1.1, released yesterday. The end result is exactly zero "downtime" for users, as discs utilizing MKB v7 aren't due out until the end of this month. To add insult to injury, SlySoft then turned around and loosed version 6.4.1.2 today with "Improved region lock removal from Blu-ray discs which contain signed Java code." SlySoft doesn't look like it's willing to relinquish its role as fox in the henhouse!


[Via Afterdawn]

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SlySoft stays one step ahead of AACS originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Apr 2008 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aacsaacs laAacsLaanydvd hdAnydvdHdblu rayblu-raybluraydrmhdslysoftSat, 12 Apr 2008 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Germany's CDA starts production of 3X DVD]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/12/germanys-cda-starts-production-of-3x-dvd/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/12/germanys-cda-starts-production-of-3x-dvd/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/12/germanys-cda-starts-production-of-3x-dvd/#commentsComin' straight outta Thuringia is the first news we've heard in a year about HD DVD's red-laser cousin, 3X DVD. CDA Datenträger Albrechts GmbH has announced its started production of 3X DVDs, which are basically HD content, compressed with VC-1 or MPEG-4 and AACS DRM, on a standard red laser DVD that is readable only by HD DVD players. The advantage is that it costs the same to produce as a regular DVD, and CDA is apparently producing dual-sided DVD-10 discs, with standard DVD content on one side, and HD on the other. Of course, with several German studios dropping HD DVD support (along with a few others you may have heard of) its hard to see who will take advantage of CDA's new capabilities.

[Via EMediaLive]

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Germany's CDA starts production of 3X DVD originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3x dvd3xDvdaacscdadvd-10germanyhdhd dvdhddvdred laserRedLaserthuringiavc-1Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Kaleidescape to gain Blu-ray support]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/05/kaleidescape-to-gain-blu-ray-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/05/kaleidescape-to-gain-blu-ray-support/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/05/kaleidescape-to-gain-blu-ray-support/#comments
When we spoke with Kaleidescape representatives at CEDIA last year, they had absolutely no idea when HD DVD or Blu-ray would be supported in their systems. Fast forward a few months, and we may have an answer. An anonymous tipster from Kscapeowners has informed us that Kaleidescape will be announcing to dealers in the not-too-distant future that Blu-ray support will be added. Of course, it's also noted that some studios may charge more for the right to copy Blu-ray Discs to a Kaleidescape system, but it's not like that was unexpected. Who knows, maybe this is what managed copy is all about, after all.

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

Update: Sure looks official from this.

Update 2: Head on past the break to see the official note sent out to dealers. Thanks, Michael!

Continue reading Kaleidescape to gain Blu-ray support

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Kaleidescape to gain Blu-ray support originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aacsblu rayblu-raybluraybreaking newsBreakingNewscopy protectionCopyProtectionhdKaleidescapemanaged copyManagedCopyother hardwareotherhardwareothersrumorsupportTue, 05 Feb 2008 15:34:00 EST<![CDATA[BD+ has not been compromised, yet]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/09/bd-has-not-been-compromised-yet/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/09/bd-has-not-been-compromised-yet/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/09/bd-has-not-been-compromised-yet/#commentsBD+
Despite SlySoft announcing that BD+ was compromised, and promising an update to its AnyDVD HD software, -- which enables you to rip a Blu-ray discs -- here we are a few months later and the latest is that SlySoft recommends that you buy HD DVD. But with Warner recently going blu, a question at the Blu-ray press conference was "did BD+ have anything to do with their decision?" And while Warner's answer was "no", afterwards it was brought to our attention by a Fox employee that BD+ has not been compromised. But, if that's true, then where do these HD Fox titles distributed via illegal means come from? The situation is actually hilariously ironic, as in love with BD+ that Fox seems to be, high quality transfers of their movies still make it onto the internet because of the European releases of HD DVD -- not distributed by Fox and thus not Blu-ray exclusive -- are only protected with AACS. So if you think about it, without BD+, users would have to buy Fox titles to get them on their computer for other uses, but as it stands, it makes more sense for them skip laying down any cash and download the movies instead, nice job guys.

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BD+ has not been compromised, yet originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSBDCESCES 2008Ces2008DRMFoxhdtvSlySoftWed, 09 Jan 2008 16:12:00 EST<![CDATA[BD+ has not been compromised, yet]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/09/bd-has-not-been-compromised-yet/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/09/bd-has-not-been-compromised-yet/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/09/bd-has-not-been-compromised-yet/#commentsBD+
Despite SlySoft announcing that BD+ was compromised, and promising an update to its AnyDVD HD software, -- which enables you to rip a Blu-ray discs -- here we are a few months later and the latest is that SlySoft recommends that you buy HD DVD. But with Warner recently going blu, a question at the Blu-ray press conference was "did BD+ have anything to do with their decision?" And while Warner's answer was "no", afterwards it was brought to our attention by a Fox employee that BD+ has not been compromised. But, if that's true, then where do these HD Fox titles distributed via illegal means come from? The situation is actually hilariously ironic, as in love with BD+ that Fox seems to be, high quality transfers of their movies still make it onto the internet because of the European releases of HD DVD -- not distributed by Fox and thus not Blu-ray exclusive -- are only protected with AACS. So if you think about it, without BD+, users would have to buy Fox titles to get them on their computer for other uses, but as it stands, it makes more sense for them skip laying down any cash and download the movies instead, nice job guys.

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BD+ has not been compromised, yet originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSBDblu rayblu-rayblurayCES 2008Ces2008DRMFoxhdSlySoftWed, 09 Jan 2008 16:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Macrovision purchases BD+ DRM for $45 million]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/19/macrovision-purchases-bd-drm-for-45-million/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/19/macrovision-purchases-bd-drm-for-45-million/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/19/macrovision-purchases-bd-drm-for-45-million/#comments Macrovision just announced it has purchased the Self-Protecting Digital Content technology that forms the basis of Blu-ray's BD+ DRM system. If you're wondering, that would be the same BD+ technology that went from "impenetrable for 10 years" to "cracked" just last week. 18 months ago, Macrovision hoped to avoid becoming irrelevant by including its analog content protection in the AACS spec used by both formats, but is taking over Blu-ray's digital content protection with the $45 million purchase from Cryptography Research. We're wondering how these latest vulnerabilities will affect Macrovision's plans to commercialize the technology through licensing, since one of BD+'s strengths is an ability to address "emerging" security threats.

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Macrovision purchases BD+ DRM for $45 million originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aacsacpbdblu rayblu-raybluraydrmhdmacrovisionspdcMon, 19 Nov 2007 15:08:00 EST<![CDATA[SlySoft claims to have cracked BD+, naysayers fall quiet]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/30/slysoft-claims-to-have-cracked-bd-naysayers-fall-quiet/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/30/slysoft-claims-to-have-cracked-bd-naysayers-fall-quiet/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/30/slysoft-claims-to-have-cracked-bd-naysayers-fall-quiet/#comments
We haven't broken down the minutes and seconds or anything, but we're fairly certain that July 10th wasn't exactly ten years ago. Nevertheless, the so-called "impenetrable" BD+ DRM scheme has reportedly already been subverted, and it's no shock to hear that the folks behind SlySoft had a hand in it. Regrettably, there's not a lot of details beyond that just yet, but according to the outfit's CEO, the software is ready to rock and should be released before the end of 2007. Chalk (yet another) one up to the hackers.

[Via HighDefDigest, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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SlySoft claims to have cracked BD+, naysayers fall quiet originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 03:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aacsbdblu rayblu-raybluraycopy protectionCopyProtectioncrackcrackeddrmfoxhackhackedhdprotectionslysoftTue, 30 Oct 2007 03:13:00 EST<![CDATA[SlySoft claims to have cracked BD+, naysayers fall quiet]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/30/slysoft-claims-to-have-cracked-bd-naysayers-fall-quiet/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/30/slysoft-claims-to-have-cracked-bd-naysayers-fall-quiet/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/30/slysoft-claims-to-have-cracked-bd-naysayers-fall-quiet/#comments
We haven't broken down the minutes and seconds or anything, but we're fairly certain that July 10th wasn't exactly ten years ago. Nevertheless, the so-called "impenetrable" BD+ DRM scheme has reportedly already been subverted, and it's no shock to hear that the folks behind SlySoft had a hand in it. Regrettably, there's not a lot of details beyond that just yet, but according to the outfit's CEO, the software is ready to rock and should be released before the end of 2007. Chalk (yet another) one up to the hackers.

[Via HighDefDigest, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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SlySoft claims to have cracked BD+, naysayers fall quiet originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 03:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aacsbdcopy protectionCopyProtectioncrackcrackeddrmfoxhackhackedhdtvprotectionslysoftTue, 30 Oct 2007 03:13:00 EST<![CDATA[AACS LA is one step ahead, for now]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/16/aacs-la-is-one-step-ahead-for-now/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/16/aacs-la-is-one-step-ahead-for-now/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/16/aacs-la-is-one-step-ahead-for-now/#commentsDown with DRMThe world of DRM is a cat and mouse game and will be till the content creators finally figure out DRM doesn't work. The latest titles from both HD formats includes the latest version of AACS (MKB v.4) and as a result they can't be ripped. SlySoft (the makers of AnyDVD HD) are working hard to update their software, but at this point it's been at least a week -- it might end up being the most resilient update since AACS was originally compromised, as they usually they have an update in a few days. But this isn't the worst of it, as most of the new Blu-ray titles also include BD+. Some say it isn't crackable; but we know how that goes, and SlySoft seems to think they'll have it worked out in about six weeks.

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AACS LA is one step ahead, for now originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Oct 2007 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSAACS LAAacsLaAnyDVD HDAnydvdHdBDblu rayblu-rayblurayDRMhdhd dvdhddvdMKB v.4MkbV.4SlySoftTue, 16 Oct 2007 16:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Meet the new boss, Cable Labs' DTCP-IP]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/27/meet-the-new-boss-cable-labs-dtcp-ip/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/27/meet-the-new-boss-cable-labs-dtcp-ip/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/27/meet-the-new-boss-cable-labs-dtcp-ip/#commentsDTCP-IP for home networksCableLabs' latest DRM scheme, DTCP-IP (Digital Transmission Copy Protection), got approval from a number of movie studios last week. This new streaming protocol is an extension of the DTCP protection on FireWire links, and is supposed to allow secured sharing of digital content within a home network. How secure? According to the CableLabs CEO, the new protocol allows for the "same level of protection, functionality, and treatment of content" as with AACS. Ahem. If that's true, count on a crack before the standard ever sees the light of day. Still, we're hoping that this will open up possibilities for TiVO functionality that has gone missing, like To-Go and Multi-Room Viewing. We also wonder what the real definition of a "home network" means to CableLabs -- could this spell trouble for place-shifting devices like the Slingbox?

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Meet the new boss, Cable Labs' DTCP-IP originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Aug 2007 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACScableCableLabsDRMDTCP-IPFireWirehdother hardwareotherhardwarerecordersTiVOMon, 27 Aug 2007 11:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst claims BD+ is impenetrable for ten years, hackers chuckle]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/10/analyst-claims-bd-is-impenetrable-for-ten-years-hackers-chuckl/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/10/analyst-claims-bd-is-impenetrable-for-ten-years-hackers-chuckl/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/10/analyst-claims-bd-is-impenetrable-for-ten-years-hackers-chuckl/#comments
We must say, it feels awfully good to not be Richard Doherty of the Envisioneering Group right about now, as he's probably taking an incredible amount of flack for his nonchalant comments made in the latest issue of HMM. As seen in the scan, Mr. Doherty claims that "BD+, unlike AACS, which suffered a partial hack last year, won't likely be breached for ten years." As if that weren't comical enough, he also added that "if it were, the damage would affect one film and one player," essentially nullifying his prior claim of invincibility. Of course, he did mention that BD+ offered up "four times the safeguards on top of AACS against piracy," so we'll give the oh-so-inundated hackers about four times longer than usual to prove this guy wrong.

[Via Slashdot]

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Analyst claims BD+ is impenetrable for ten years, hackers chuckle originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aacsbdbdablu rayblu-raybluraycontent protectionContentProtectioncrackcrackeddrmhackerhdTue, 10 Jul 2007 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Verance rolls out audio watermarking for HD DVD / Blu-ray]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/02/verance-rolls-out-audio-watermarking-for-hd-dvd-blu-ray/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/02/verance-rolls-out-audio-watermarking-for-hd-dvd-blu-ray/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/02/verance-rolls-out-audio-watermarking-for-hd-dvd-blu-ray/#comments
It's been so long since we've heard anything serious about audio watermarking that we were beginning to worry, but for the hackers up for yet another challenge in the realm of high-definition film, your brief wait is (nearly) over. Verance Corporation has just announced the immediate availability of its audio watermark technology for licensing by manufacturers of Blu-ray and HD DVD players and components, which means that users will likely face another layer of content protection when trying to free their movies from the bondage of DRM. No word just yet on a timeframe in which this stuff will actually make its debut, but it is noted that the AACS is "is expected to release final license agreements requiring the inclusion of VCMS/AV detector technology in HD DVD and Blu-ray players in the coming months."

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Verance rolls out audio watermarking for HD DVD / Blu-ray originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aacsaacs'audio watermarkAudioWatermarkblu rayblu-raybluraycopyrighthdhd dvdhddvdmpaapiracyVerancewatermarkMon, 02 Jul 2007 23:01:00 EST<![CDATA[BD+ DRM is now available for Blu-ray]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/20/bd-drm-is-now-available-for-blu-ray/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/20/bd-drm-is-now-available-for-blu-ray/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/20/bd-drm-is-now-available-for-blu-ray/#commentsBD+
Some people still haven't figured out that DRM doesn't work, and in yet another attempt to "enable content" the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) is proud to announce that BD+ is available. The recent exploits in AACS have been rumored to slow down the release schedule for Blu-ray titles from FOX and Disney and many believe this is because they've been waiting for BD+, -- an additional optional layer of DRM available to Blu-ray. This new code will run in a virtual machine while the disc is in use and can do just about whatever it deems necessary to validate that your player is secure before allowing the movie to be played. What BD+ cannot do is modify your player, so once the disc is ejected, the process is gone.

[Via Blu-ray.com]

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BD+ DRM is now available for Blu-ray originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jun 2007 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AACSBDBDABlu-rayhdtvWed, 20 Jun 2007 12:44:00 EST