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Good News:
HD Over Component Video Is Alive and Well According to FCC Ruling
May 10, 2010
It’s a common question in the industry: “Will my cable (or satellite) company turn off HD video on my set top box’s component video outputs?” The FCC just issued a ruling on it, and the answer is:
- No, not for anything you currently watch or have access to.
- Yes, but only for a new type of content: early-release movies available through Video on Demand (VOD) services. Even then the restricted access only lasts for a short while.
Content currently available in HD over component video is unaffected, which is a huge win for manufacturers, integrators and end-users that employ component video connections in their systems.
Background
Recently the Motion Picture Association of America told the FCC it would like to use Video on Demand services to make movies available in the home much sooner than has been the case. In return, they asked that the FCC allow them to use Selective Output Control (SOC) to prevent illegal copying and distribution of those movies. SOC simply allows the content providers to select which set top box outputs can pass HD, the goal being to shut off any outputs that don’t employ copy-protection… meaning component video outputs.
It’s important to note that the FCC banned the use of SOC years ago, fearing that owners of HDTVs with only component video connectors would be prevented from seeing content in HD. So what the MPAA was really asking for was a waiver of part that ruling, just for early-release movies via Video on Demand.
The Ruling
In this case, the FCC decided that it would be good for the public if early-release movies were available through Video on Demand, so they granted the waiver. However, they modified the MPAA’s request so that it would be in effect for a more clearly defined term. Here is their exact wording: “Accordingly we will terminate the waiver for a particular film 90 days after the first activation of SOC, or immediately upon the retail release of the film on any prerecorded media (including Blu-Ray), whichever is sooner.” Translation: movies can now be released via VOD as early as the content providers wish, and they’ll be protected by SOC for 90 days, or until they’re made available in pre-recorded form.
Summary
- Consumers with HDMI-equipped HDTVs will get access to something they’ve never had before (legally): films still in theaters or not yet released on prerecorded media.
- Consumers with HDTVs that have only component video inputs won’t have access to these films, but they never had it to begin with, so they haven’t lost anything (in the eyes of the FCC).
- Content providers will get to sell early-release movies via VOD with less chance of piracy.
Conclusion
Integrators, manufacturers, and consumers can take heart that by law, HD video over component is alive and well.
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