FCC Grants MPAA Request to Disable Analog Outputs
FCC Grants MPAA Request to Disable Analog Outputs
Posted 05/07/2010 at 3:06pm
| by Ryan Whitwam
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The FCC took a stand back in 2003 saying that Selectable Output Control (SoC) was unnecessary, and could harm consumers. But a recent petition from the MPAA has resulted in a partial waiver, allowing SoC to be implemented in certain circumstances. SoC is an anti-counterfeiting technology that would force digital content to be output only to an HDCP compliant HDMI port.
The FCC will allow SoC to be used only on "high value" content. Specifically, any digital content (i.e. video on demand or streaming) that is not available on DVD or Blu-ray at the time, can be protected with SoC for up to 90 days. The rationale for this is a bit confusing. The FCC statement says, "Consumers simply cannot expect to be able to access something that does not yet exist." In short, the FCC doesn't need to fully protect people with older TVs because the expectation of getting this high value content is not assumed.
What this comes down to is that for owners of older TVs without an HDMI, you may be denied access to some special content that is made available before an official DVD release. Those with newer TVs however, may be able to get pre-release access to upcoming movies. How do you feel about this? Is it a reasonable trade-off, or should the FCC have held firm?
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Danthrax66
May 08, 2010 at 4:33pm
The best way to boycott the mpaa is with your wallets; don't go to any movies this summer and get all of your relatives not to either. In fact hold protest outside the movie theaters we need to get a message to the movie industry that we are tired of their shit. Hell half the fucking movies they make are complete shit anyway. Also download as many movies illegally as you can, I don;t care if you watch them or not we need to get all of america involved in this so they wake up and realize their 20th century business model isn't going to work anymore.
Live, Learn, and Shut the Fuck Up.
CentiZen
May 09, 2010 at 11:13am
No matter what you do, that won't change a thing. The MPAA will always keep coming up with hairbrained scemes to force everyones money into their hands, and they will always fail in implementation. I mean, a warez uploader could beat this authentication with just a simple high def video capture card.
Carpnter
May 08, 2010 at 7:54am
Just because you have HDMI on your equipment doesn't mean you are in the clear. Some TV's are known for having handshake problems with HDMI. This was a stupid move by the MPAA. I suspect that this was more of a move to protect items distributed for the Oscars when they have discs distributed to them before they are actually out for sale.
Stinky Fartface
May 08, 2010 at 6:26am
They will never win by restricting options. Time and time again all these types of measures end up doing is pushing average consumers, who would otherwise be legal consumers, towards piracy. Piracy will always provide a solution. Closing the "analog hole" will do absolutely nothing to staunch piracy. They are encouraging piracy with this kind of crap, not fighting it.
wolf17
May 07, 2010 at 9:10pm
I seriously hate the MPAA. Not dislike, hate. They are a bunch of idiots. The FCC statement should read something along the lines of the MPAA simply cannot expect to get money that doesn't exist (b/c people are going to pirate and not buy your s**t). They should just take all their money outside and burn it, and just get it over with already... why drag this overzealous bullshit that will lead to their own demise over with already!!
Anways, sorry for the rant, but this really get on my nerves...
"Life is about living, not stressing" - a very smart girl :)
SillyElf74
May 07, 2010 at 7:25pm
This is 100% fail by the MPAA. I would NEVER buy some VOD program knowing the MPAA is sticking it's greedy little fat fingers into my A/V gear. I'll wait to watch what ever it is like I do now. No biggie for me.
aviaggio
May 07, 2010 at 6:56pm
Another epic fail by the MPAA. Pirates will find a way around it, and the rest of us will just wait the 90 days. There is absolutely no content on the planet that I can't wait 3 months to see.
Smells a lot like the foul odor coming from their 30-day DVD release bullshit. Guess what MPAA, we're not going to buy the shit; we're happy to either download it illegally or wait the 30 days till we can get it on Netflix.
When will these bozos ever learn?
Mark17
May 07, 2010 at 6:28pm
That is a bunch of bull ****. So, even if I pay for VOD or streaming of something it will be restricted? Just another reason to download it for free. Not that I would do something as terrible as that.
Neufeldt2002
May 07, 2010 at 3:17pm
This will be broken in 3... 2... 1...
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
The stupidest question that you could ever ask is the one you never do.
WarCrime342
May 07, 2010 at 3:30pm
Hahahahahahahah. Ain't that the truth?
Yet another technology that will be broken in a matter of 24 hours upon it's release. It will end up harming the consumer and be just a blemish in the piracy roads.
Why do they even invent stuff like this?
kevaskous
May 07, 2010 at 3:16pm
If MPAA has anything to do with it, i don't agree with it, almost regardless what it is. this of course will results in a civil suit against someone for this ruling.
nsvander
May 07, 2010 at 11:43pm
Who wants to join on a class action against the MPAA and the FCC? So you are telling me that my grandmother that is living on a social security check, has to go out and buy a new TV, and a new cable box, because she wants to watch VOD? Who is going to pony up the $$$ for this she is on a fixed income, and she likes to watch a lot of the new movies when they come out, she can't afford going to the movie theaters already, now this? Sounds like a blatant case of Tech Discrimination, or maybe this is the governments devious plan to help spur the economy? Dont have a digital connection, no VOD, so upgrade or no new releases for you!!!
Saigua
May 08, 2010 at 12:00am
Grans missing out on video-on-demand or cheap flix is uncompelling in itself. Is she really over 40 and still looking to US pop culture for her place in the world? On a CRT? Then tough for her, it's just not going to work.
Time-Warner is certainly culpable as an adjunct in that video-on-demand is being regularly mangled in delivery (misdelivered, cut up with borked schedules and DVR disservice.) Make a proper single party case of it if not merely dealing with it in legislative sensibiliy.
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