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iMacfan · Oct 13, 2006, 06:03 AM

Hello,

Having returned two 24" iMacs due to wierd noise issues, I've decided to go all out and get a Mac Pro. To go with it, I can get the Eizo 24" widescreen for the same price as a 23" ACD. However, both don't have HDCP and I worry that it might seem crippled in the future.

What does everyone else here think? AFAIK, none of the Mac Pro's graphics cards supports it either, so maybe it won't be a problem, maybe there'll be a workaround and it won't matter.

Ultimately, I'll probably go with the Eizo as I know it will have the best picture quality, but it would be nice to know that it'll be future proof to some extent.

David

iMacfan · Oct 13, 2006, 03:49 PM

Obviously not...

mduell · Oct 13, 2006, 07:25 PM

As soon as studios start flipping on the Image Constraint Token (commonly abbreviated ICT) on AACS protected content (all HD-DVDs and BluRay disks, plus where ever else AACS gets implemented), you'll be limited to watching HD video at a quarter of the native resolution.

iMacfan · Oct 14, 2006, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by mduell

As soon as studios start flipping on the Image Constraint Token (commonly abbreviated ICT) on AACS protected content (all HD-DVDs and BluRay disks, plus where ever else AACS gets implemented), you'll be limited to watching HD video at a quarter of the native resolution.

I thought that all HD disks needed HDCP, regardless of ICT, if not, then I really am not worried.

David

mduell · Oct 14, 2006, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by iMacfan

I thought that all HD disks needed HDCP, regardless of ICT, if not, then I really am not worried.

No. AACS doesn't require HDCP unless ICT is enabled.
DailyTech - Image Constraint Token On Hold For Four More Years

iMacfan · Oct 14, 2006, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by mduell

No. AACS doesn't require HDCP unless ICT is enabled.
DailyTech - Image Constraint Token On Hold For Four More Years

Thank you - that's very reassuring. I guess the technical difficulty of illegally sharing a 50Gb movie will prevent it being widespread until then.

David

F*ckDell · Oct 14, 2006, 01:55 PM

Whoa Whoa Whoa.... what the hell is going on?

I know about HDCP and all that good stuff, but what the hell is AACS and ICT? How about "you'll be limited to watching HD video at a quarter of the native resolution."

I want 1080p, 6.1 DTS in my iTunes movies!

tooki · Oct 14, 2006, 05:33 PM

The current Dell 24", the 2407WFP, supports HDCP and costs way less than the Apple (or Eizo) model.

tooki

iMacfan · Oct 14, 2006, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by tooki

The current Dell 24", the 2407WFP, supports HDCP and costs way less than the Apple (or Eizo) model.

tooki

Point taken, but with the colour banding issues and the DELL logo on the front, I'd slit my wrists long before HDCP was necessary...

David

mduell · Oct 14, 2006, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by F*ckDell

Whoa Whoa Whoa.... what the hell is going on?

I know about HDCP and all that good stuff, but what the hell is AACS and ICT? How about "you'll be limited to watching HD video at a quarter of the native resolution."

I want 1080p, 6.1 DTS in my iTunes movies!

AACS is the copy protection system used on HD-DVD and Blu-Ray disks. Blu-Ray disks may additionally use BD+. It roughly replaces the CSS that was used on DVDs.
ICT is the image constraint token, an option that can be set in the AACS scheme. When enabled, the maximum video output is 960x540 (one quater of 1920x1080) over non-encrypted links.

Riddler · Oct 15, 2006, 02:08 PM

I'm going with this over the Dell:

BenQ United Kingdom - Computing

Will post my impressions when I get it towards the end of the month. Specs are great and supporting HDCP is just a bonus for the future.

cruisereg · Oct 15, 2006, 10:04 PM

I'm not sure about everyone else, but when I go to HD-DVD or Blu-ray, the smallest display that will be viewing the content will be the 37" 1080p LCD I have or a future display I purchase (I will not buy any HDTV with less than native 1080p support). So for a computer display, if I found something that I really liked, especially if he price was right - I'd buy it in a heartbeat, even without HDCP. If the display has HDCP, thats a nice side benefit but only because it turns the display into a multi-purpose display. If for some reason I need to an extra TV temporarily (who knows!) the LCD with HDCP is a quick standin with the right cable.