{"id":713,"date":"2010-08-20T13:22:43","date_gmt":"2010-08-20T19:22:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cis-nc.com\/wordpress\/?p=713"},"modified":"2010-08-20T13:22:43","modified_gmt":"2010-08-20T19:22:43","slug":"analog-sunset","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cis-nc.com\/wordpress\/cisncuser\/flat-panel-tvs\/analog-sunset\/","title":{"rendered":"Analog Sunset"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\"CIS<\/a>

CIS is Charlotte's Source For Technology Questions and Answers<\/p><\/div>\n

How concerned should integrators and consumers be about restrictions on component video outputs affecting Blu-ray players?<\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

The impending so-called \u201canalog sunset\u201d has been touted as the next big thing affecting the custom electronics industry.<\/p>\n

Whether or not that\u2019s hyperbole, it\u2019s certain that there are things integrators need to know about restrictions being imposed by the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) licensing agreement \u2014 especially in regards to Blu-ray playback.<\/p>\n

If savvy clients haven\u2019t already begun asking questions about whether or not they should throw out their component cables, they soon will. Integrators need to know what to tell them and how to react.<\/p>\n

Right now integrators can allow clients to view content off Blu-ray discs using an analog component video output on a Blu-ray player. But according to the AACS licensing agreement, after Dec. 31, 2010, no new designs may be introduced with hot HD component outputs; existing designs can be manufactured and sold through Dec. 31, 2011. No Blu-ray players with hot HD component outputs may be manufactured or sold after that date, but they can still output SD resolutions through 2013.<\/p>\n

That doesn\u2019t mean that you can\u2019t use Blu-ray players made before Dec. 31, 2010, for viewing content off Blu-ray discs using an analog component video output. Meanwhile, in-stock models made before Dec. 31, 2010, with component inputs capable of HD output can continue to be sold through 2013.<\/p>\n

\u201cI recently heard a competitor state that they were going to purchase as many older [Blu-ray] players as they could afford to put off dealing with the changes for as long as possible,\u201d says CEDIA chairman Ken Erdmann, owner of Springville, Utah-based Erdmann Electric. \u201cThat will not solve the problem and is rather shortsighted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Indeed, after January 1, 2011, Blu-ray disc makers can include an \u201cImage Constraint Token\u201d (ICT) that disables HD over component video down-converting the HD capable input to SD while that particular disc is in the drive. Existing discs in a customer\u2019s collection without the ICT, however, will continue to provide HD component output with no change. The token is only disc-based, so discs with no ICT will operate the same as always (allowing 1080i component out).<\/p>\n

Erdmann speculates that Blu-ray titles released years earlier could even \u201cinclude ICT for those titles manufactured after the 2011 implementation date. A client could be very unhappy if they were used to watching a favorite title for years that when they replaced the worn or damaged disc with a newer version of that title it no longer looked as good or possibly would not play at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Is Analog Fading to Black?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnalog Sunset\u201d is a term that is actually used in the AACS license agreement:
\n2.2.2.1 ANALOG SUNSET \u2013 2010. With the exception of Existing Models, any Licensed Player manufactured after December 31, 2010, shall limit analog video outputs for Decrypted AACS Content to SD Interlace Modes only. Existing Models may be manufactured and sold by Adopter up until December 31, 2011.<\/em><\/p>\n

2.2.2.2 ANALOG SUNSET \u2013 2013. No Licensed Player that passes Decrypted AACS Content to analog video outputs may be manufactured or sold by Adopter after December 31, 2013.<\/em><\/p>\n

Source: The AACS Final Adopter Agreement, available at http:\/\/www.aacsla.com.<\/a><\/p>\n

At the very least, this legal language will leverage installers with some frustration, according to Fred Harding, who does sales and technical support for distributor Capitol Sales.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will cause stress for folks who are installing Blu-ray players over the next year who aren\u2019t prepared. Worst case will be down the road, when manufacturers of other HDMI-equipped products stop putting analog outputs on their devices based on economic decisions. In that case, it will be the absence of connections rather than a mandate that hurts. I\u2019d start planning if it were me.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, points out Trent Davis, Audio Authority\u2019s product manager, manufacturers alone can\u2019t always decide when to stop putting technology on their devices. He cites, for example, that many components still are required by the FCC to have FireWire ports even though the technology isn\u2019t commonly used anymore.<\/p>\n

Still, the AACS provisions will affect integrators that \u201chave used the component video safety net\u201d because they\u2019ll \u201cbe forced to come to terms with the HDMI output,\u201d says Erdmann.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe loss of 1080i video brought about by the implementation of the ICT will be unsatisfactory to our clients. Even worse, integrators unwilling or unable to deliver the best quality video by using the HDMI output might find their clients looking elsewhere to satisfy their desires for the best quality video and audio in their systems. As time goes by and more of the provisions [are] allowed and implemented under the AACS licensing agreement, the unprepared integrator will face even greater challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n

Is the Issue Over-Hyped?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Audio Authority, makers of HMDI and component video distribution systems, switchers and adapters, matrix switches, recently issued a whitepaper, \u201cComponent Video\u2019s Future: Demystified,\u201d because there is a lot of misinformation out there, says Davis.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s not saying it\u2019s much ado about nothing, but he says the facts are becoming blurred amid all the speculation.<\/p>\n

The bottom line, according to Audio Authority, is that component video isn\u2019t going away \u2014 but its role will be changed, even mitigated. \u201cSome content sources will be experiencing some changes in the way they are required to control component video output, while others are under no threat from pending restrictions,\u201d writes the company.<\/p>\n

Extron Electronics, a manufacturer of A\/V components including matrix switchers and cables, also issued a whitepaper on the topic, \u201cAnalog Sunset Demystified.\u201d The company\u2019s stance is that even with the impending restrictions, \u201cuse of legacy components already installed or the design of systems using products that both have analog and digital outputs will be around for quite some time,\u201d says Joe da Silva, director of product marketing.<\/p>\n

\u201cA\/V integrators have the choice to design systems using a \u2018hybrid\u2019 approach or transition all signals to a digital format. The hybrid design for digital and analog distribution can be much more cost effective than an all-digital approach. A\/V integrators who incorporate high-definition protected content and playback of Blu-ray disc format into their designs will certainly be influenced by the restrictions associated by AACS provisions.\u201d<\/p>\n

What about Content?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The ICT has actually been around for a while, Audio Authority points out, but it\u2019s not known to have been used on a mass-released Blu-ray disc. Let\u2019s take a look at AACS\u2019 specific ICT and Digital Only Token (DOT) language:
\nSEC. 3, 1.3.2 Content Participants\/Providers shall not, prior to December 31, 2010, direct Licensed Content Producers to embed the Image Constraint Token in Licensed Content Products offered for sale or other distribution in a country in which there was a government or quasi-government regulation or equivalent prohibiting the use of an Image Constraint Token, or equivalent, for scrambled or encrypted content as of November 30, 2005.<\/em><\/p>\n

SEC. 3, 1.4 If Content Participant\/Provider has directed that the Image Constraint Token and\/or Digital Only Token be set with respect to a particular LCP (Licensed Content Product) Unit, then the fact that such Image Constraint Token and\/or Digital Only Token (as applicable) is set shall be disclosed by the Content Participant\/Provider to the consumer either (i) on such LCP Unit\u2019s product packaging; or (ii) only in the case of a consumer product, by other reasonable means that allows the consumer to be aware at the point of initial purchase that the Image Constraint Token and\/or Digital Only Token (as applicable) is set with respect to such LCP Unit.<\/em><\/p>\n

1.2.1 Content Participant\/Provider may assert the Digital Only Token only with respect to (a) Non-Consumer Products and\/or (b) LCP Units Released in a given country within the first six (6) weeks after the first Theatrical Release of substantially similar Digital Entertainment Content in such country, provided that in the event of the circumstances set forth in this part (b), within six (6) months after such first Theatrical Release, Content Participant\/Provider shall Release in such country LCP Units containing a version of such Licensed Content Product that does not assert the Digital Only Token.<\/em><\/p>\n

Audio Authority points out that the DOT only applies to non-consumer content and for licensed content released on Blu-ray disc within six weeks of the theatrical release \u201cwith the caveat that non-DOT versions of the content must be released within six months.\u201d<\/p>\n

The effects on Blu-ray, however, while significant, aren\u2019t the entire story. Speculation abounds that the AACS licensing agreement affects cable and satellite boxes, media streaming devices, gaming consoles, media centers and computers.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not true, though, says Davis, unless those devices include Blu-ray players. \u201cA DirecTV box, for example, is not an AACS licensed device and is not affected at all by the provisions of the AACS Analog Sunset. It is, however, affected by the FCC\u2019s SOC [Selectable Output Control May 2010] ruling, but the FCC is the authoritative body in that case, not the AACS licensees.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, with some help from Audio Authority\u2019s whitepaper and other authorities, let\u2019s take a look at effects on different content sources.<\/p>\n

\"C.I.S.<\/a><\/p>\n

Cable, Satellite Boxes<\/strong><\/p>\n

These content sources shouldn\u2019t be affected much by the AACS licensing agreement, according to Audio Authority. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversees these components and federal law disallows content providers from turning off component video outputs.<\/p>\n

The one exception to this rule, Davis says, is the aforementioned SOC ruling. It \u201callows deactivation of set-top box analog outputs for very specific content: first-run movies that are still in theaters.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the FCC also tells cable and satellite companies not to allow commands to turn off component outputs from being including in their content delivery signals, preventing content providers from restricting output on their own.<\/p>\n

So component video should remain applicable to cable and satellite boxes. However, that could change, Harding says. \u201cI think in the future the cable and satellite boxes will drop the jacks based on manufacturing savings. I\u2019m suggesting worrying.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erdmann takes a similar stance. \u201cIt is my opinion that there is nothing stopping content owners from imposing similar requirements on any provider wishing to provide 1080p video,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

\u201cICT is inserted in the data stream that allows the decoding of the video and which resolution is allowed where. Any non-HDCP-protected output on any cable or satellite box could have ICT implemented on it. It wasn\u2019t too long ago that we started losing RF outputs on high-definition cable boxes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erdmann has the same skepticism regarding the DOT provision. \u201cI know that DOT is reserved for new business models, but who is to say that cable and satellite high-definition programming would not fall under these new business models? DOT could be used to set day-and-date release information or to limit high-definition content in places where DOT was not in use.\u201d<\/p>\n

Davis disagrees that there is nothing stopping content owners from imposing restrictions. \u201cSince the FCC regulates analog outputs of set-top boxes, there\u2019s no reason to believe these sorts of changes will be allowed, and they\u2019ll certainly not go unchallenged. It\u2019s not a decision that\u2019s exclusively in the hands of manufacturers. For example, the FCC made a ruling in 2004 that required FireWire ports be included on future set top boxes, despite the objections of content creators and cable companies.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ICT and DOT simply do not and cannot affect cable and satellite TV,\u201d Davis adds. \u201cThe entire AACS license applies only to products that use AACS encryption. To imply that cable and satellite companies, whose products are not AACS licensed, are beholden to the industry agreement signed by a bunch of other companies is incorrect.<\/p>\n

\u201cSelectable Output Control\u2019 is the appropriate term for cable and satellite set top boxes, and that feature is regulated strictly by the FCC. Only one exception has been made \u2014 the SOC can be used on first-run movies that are still in theaters,\u201d Davis continues. \u201cAside from that, content providers have denied the ability to shut off analog HD outputs for years, and the FCC has given no indication they will relent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Media Streaming<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vudu, Apple TV, Roku and other media streaming devices aren\u2019t affected, according to Audio Authority.<\/p>\n

Component video should remain applicable to media streaming devices, but again, Harding suggests that this could change.<\/p>\n

Erdmann adds that, \u201cAs long as you are happy with low-resolution video from those devices it probably won\u2019t have an impact. The fact is we hook these devices up to large flat-panel displays and projectors with HDMI, we purchase HD versions of some titles from iTunes. It is unlikely that our clients who are using these services for content will be happy with anything less than the highest resolutions possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Davis,\u2002however, says it\u2019s not an either-or issue. \u201cHD video is available from both HDMI and component outputs on these devices and there are no laws, licensing agreements or other regulations in place that will restrict them at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gaming, Media Servers and Computers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although gaming consoles aren\u2019t affected, in theory, by the AACS licensing agreement, some gaming devices play Blu-ray discs, Audio Authority points out.<\/p>\n

Sony\u2019s PlayStation 3, for instance, must abide by the terms of the AACS licensing agreement as it pertains to playing Blu-ray content. However, other functions \u2014 including video streaming and gaming – shouldn\u2019t be affected.<\/p>\n

Media servers and computers, meanwhile, don\u2019t use a lot of analog outputs anyway, but the AACS licensing agreement won\u2019t seem to require shut-off of VGA and component video outputs.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur clients will not be satisfied with anything less than the best performance possible,\u201d says Erdmann, referring to gaming consoles, media servers and computers. \u201cThey will have Blu-ray video to compare the video these devices output to. It will not be acceptable to them. Most of these systems have Blu-ray in them already, so integrators must be able to deal with the challenges that come with HDMI.\u201d<\/p>\n

By Tom LeBlanc
\nhttp:\/\/www.cepro.com\/article\/analog_sunset_ce_pros_weigh_in\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Custom Installation Services, LLC <\/a>–\u00a0“We may be a few dollars more than the competition, but we are a million times better”.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How concerned should integrators and consumers be about restrictions on component video outputs affecting Blu-ray players? The impending so-called \u201canalog sunset\u201d has been touted as the next big thing affecting the custom electronics industry. Whether or not that\u2019s hyperbole, it\u2019s certain that there are things integrators need to know about restrictions being imposed by the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[72,95,37,275,117,528,700,318,43],"tags":[908,358,731,909,904,538,633,905,541,906,639,910,903,426,427,463,24,354,736,517,337,907,54,474,144],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cis-nc.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/713"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cis-nc.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cis-nc.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cis-nc.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cis-nc.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=713"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.cis-nc.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/713\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":716,"href":"https:\/\/www.cis-nc.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/713\/revisions\/716"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cis-nc.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=713"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cis-nc.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=713"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cis-nc.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=713"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}