What do you make of this guy's comment on my Vudu story?

I had said that, for DRM reasons, you can't legally pass native, protected 1080p content over component video (ignoring upconversion).

His comment:

I'm sorry Julie, but how could you include the "DVD players can't do 1080p output" quote, without a mention that every single Blu-ray (and HD DVD) player supports HD output over component. This is in addition to the Apple TV, Xbox 360, and every single MSO STB made -- all of which also have premium hollywood content.

Everything I've read, and info from my expert contacts in the video world, suggests that it cannot be done legally. Products may SAY 1080p, but the output is actually 1080i. Technically, it can be done, but not legally. Right???? Wrong?

He brings up 1080p initially, then mentions HD. Could this be where his confusion lies?? Thinking a BD can put our 720p/1080i over component.

It is my understanding that BluRay players only output 1080i on the YPbPr outputs. In fact, on all players I've dealt with, if you engage 1080P (24fps or other wise) on the hdmi output, you will turn off the component.

And it is also my understanding there is a flag that can be written into the movie that will force 480 or 540 on the component output of all BluRay players. I've not heard of any movies (discs) employing this Draconian effort, but I understand it is available to the studios and is forth coming (sooner or later).

1080P over component was stricken by Hollywood a year ago. It was big news and in every trade rag AND on all the forums.

Julie:
It is my understanding that it is not a legal issue that stops mfgr's from outing 1080P as much as it is a pressure issue.
Content providers have actively discouraged a full 1080P out on analog as a way to convince the public to use HDMI.
Note: there are sources (XBOX 360) that can out 1080P on analog as well as scalers that will out 1080P.
Note Also: That there is no actual 1080P analog standard (re: Bill Paul from Neothings lobbying for it).
CE mfgr's as a rule have bowed to content providers request to stay at 1080i AND in most cases turn of the analog out when HDMI is used.

Didn't Sharp have a display that could show 1080p via component last year at Cedia??

Technically, yes. Legally (for HD DVD/BD), no. AACS on HD DVD/BD limits Component output to 1080i.

Chris

Just use the HD fury on HDMI and output to component. Problem solved.

I can't find it on the net, but I remember see a device made by Xantech that provided 1080p on componet video.

I think he was being a salesman. Mark, during a recent training, indicated that you would be able to get HD on component and HDMI. I asked him if that was over 1080P as well and he said, no the component would be shut off. So he was referring to 720P/1080i HD.

I'm actually a big fan of VUDU and hope it doesn't go away. They just need to add NAS and multiroom support and it would be an incredible product.

Plus I'm not a big fan of $1000 paperweights!

I wouldn't recommend the HDFury, you're better off with 720p than that device...

Gang,

Just to clarify HD over Component on VUDU -- All of our HD content is native 1080p/24. While we do intend to allow HD output over the Component Video connections it will likely be limited to a maximum of 1080i due to the capabilities of our current hardware. That said, the initial feedback from those that have seen our HD component video output has been very positive.

FWIW, there aren't any technical limitations to prevent devices from outputting (even upscaled) content at 1080p from DVD or other sources, but in many cases (DVD is a prime example), there are licensing restrictions that prevent the playback device from doing it.

So what Julie said then.

almost right, like others brought up studios don't want real 1080p over component, so they would not allow it, that is why AACS limits component to 1080i and others are 1080i over component. DVD upscaling is a bit of a grey area, it is not a spec (so a manufacturer could in effect do what he wants) on the other hand it is upscaled so even if someone did build a DVD player that did 1080p over component it would not be the real thing.


I have to call BS when I see it. Are you trying to say your system is strong enough to create a 1080p video stream over HDMI but not powerful enough to push that same stream over component?

It's just a standard guys, 1080p content is a digital signal that is HDCP encrypted...1080p does not exist in the analog realm...except if you use the HDFury device...

The only thing that I know of that outputs 1080p component is the xbox 360. AFAIK there are only a few displays that can take a 1080p input on the component inputs of the display.

The only reason the xbox does this is because sony ps3 had hdmi 1080p from the beginning so the marketing engines turned at M$.