Spatz-Tech's DVIMAGIC: killing on HDCP

We're not entirely sure how they plan on getting their DVIMAGIC devices past the DMCA (since it is, afterall, a encryption countermeasure device), but Spatz has apparently developed boxes that'll take that HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) DVI signal (aka DRMed video coming off a player device) and convert it to good ol' non-DRMed analog RGB or even back to non-DRMed DVI. Man, the MPAA is so not going to be feeling this one, especially since right now they're riding on HDCP to keep all that nice hi-def video safe and secure on Blu-ray and HD DVD players. Too bad the box'll set you back €399 (about $480 US)—still, a small price to pay to stick it to the man like that.

[Via Theater@home]

[Anton @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

So i guess they already hacked that Longhorn limitation, eh?

[otakucode @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Well, being as they're not in the United States, I don't see how the DMCA would concern them... It's just sad that freedom has been wounded to such an extent that we can't even buy a box to allow us to play these next-generation movies on our TVs with component or DVI only inputs. Hollywood is almost going to have to give the nod to these boxes or something... there is a large audience of people with HDTVs that only have component or component and DVI inputs.

And to the people that always pipe up "but only 5% of people have HDTVs!" will you just shut up already? You're sad, pathetic little people and you have no place anywhere near technology. Quit coddling yourself and your lack of tech zeal by assuring yourself that you're just part of the large, unwashed masses and not in the wrong. Because you are. You've had 50 years of standard definition TV, maybe you should have been saving for when they decided to come out with an upgrade?

[Alan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Of course, this sort of toy is legal and encouraged in the rest of the world.
It is hard to find a non-multiregion DVD player in stores in the UK.
Mind you, if the studios bribe the European Comission a bit more that may change.

[Malfoy Roark @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I feel like I should get this box "Just in case".. What's your guys' opinions?

[jc @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

thank you grey market products

I would love to get the schematics for this design, and start my own company building these (haha, how wrong is it to pirate a pirate device?).

[SR @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

It probably converts to analog before converting back to DVI.

[Michael Lomker @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Someone is going to have to make an HDMI/DVI to component box of some kind. All of the cable and satellite TV companies are providing HDTV content over component, so the argument about content protection is specious.

[Balzac2m @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Just to clear ths up, the device works like this:

there are the same chips in it like in monitors to filter out the copyright stuff, because you have to do this pre-displaying. They just bought the chips and plugged a DVI-Output to ist. Simple, eh?

Source: c't germanys best computer tech magazin

[khamel @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

i was within minutes of buying a 2405fpw to use as an awesome monitor and an hdtv when i got around to it but when i realized it wasnt hdcp compatible i balked. now if something like this exists i might just buy it because for the crazy cheap deals dell is putting out there this is still a good deal for 1900x1200 resolution at $850. anyone know if this is the magic bullet i've been looking for or should i still wait and just buy an aquos or something?

[m2h @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I guess it depends on the target market. Last I checked video stabilizers were aimed at the proconsumer. A video stabilizer will get you around Macrovision 1 or 2 depending on the model. I found this out while searching for solution for friend that wanted to watch his DVD's on his TV that had a VCR built in. For a scant CND$60 I was able to circumvent [sic] the Macrovision. This was back when DVD's had just hit the market, so alternative solutions did not exist.

[Dave @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

You guys are missing the point. Not only does it remove the DRM, but per the site's description, this is "a MAGIC device"!!!

I don't have a a MAGIC device yet.

[Monmin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Ok, don't spend your money on this device just yet. It may work great with your cable box (not sure), but it most likely won't help you with hd-dvd or bluray. The reason is because they will have AACS ( http://www.aacsla.com/ ).

HDCP is just a small part of the copyright protection story. AACS will actually verify the devices you can talk to. I'm not saying AACS can't be defeated, however AACS will defeat this spatz box right from the start.

[Zach @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

This brings up the issue we were discussing yesterday on longhorn's restrictive display technologies (see http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000143050582/).

A couple people in that discussion brought up the fact that companies in China will just pump out stuff like this. I'm not sure if this is an American company or not, but if it is, the product will likely die, but it won't take long before there's a carbon copy coming out of Asia.

The bad thing about this whole situation is that we, as consumers, will never really get things changed, although we have the power to change it. The problem lies in the complacency of the masses - Joe Blow out there knows he'll need to upgrade or get this or that to comply with the DMCA. He won't want to pay that money to upgrade, yeah that's an inconvenience to him, but he won't _DO_ anything about it besides buy the next product. He's not going to not have the latest and greatest, he's not going to sit at home watching old VHS movies just to protest, and he's not going to go through the trouble to buy something like this from China or wherever.

So all these Joes continue to pick up the next version, and Hollywood calls us pirates for wanting to have control of the content we own. It's really a depressing problem.....

[Pip @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

This wont violate the DCMA because the signal has already left the device and is considered free for all at that point. It would be in violation for this device to be sold inside players or sold as a kit to put into the players to become an actual part of the device however.

Either way, HDTV is doomed from a DVD aspect as far as i'm concerned. The televison industry all uses dvi/hdmi/component outs on all their boxes so that EVERYONE can watch their HDTV content they broadcast. The HD-DVD and Blu-Ray players all sound like they will be using only HDMI only, which is a tiny ass market. It's like 1/10th of the HDTV display market right now, the rest is using DVI and Component and will be forever since we just dumped money on these newish sets.

They should have thought of this before people started to make the HDTVs. Too late now to even bother.

[EatingPie @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Here's the rub...

How many analog HDTV recorders are there? Answer: 1. It's called W-VHS. Discontinued ages ago and almost impossible to get. And the media costs $50.00 a pop. And it only records stereo sound (not dubbly digital). And if it breaks you're SOL.

How many HDMI recorders are there? Answer: 0. HDMI is a display-only technology, and NOT FOR RECORDING.

This device poses exaclty NO THREAT for consumer recording of HDTV. Pirates, maybe... but those are the guys who own replication plants and the whole shebang. "CLOSING THE ANALOG HOLE" ain't gonna effect those mafiosos none.

This is for people who have "older" (last year!) HDTVs that only have analog component inputs. It's a perfectly valid product, and should be on the market. Especially if HD-DVD and/or BD go digital only.

(Note that BD *should* have a firewire in/out, as that's the standard for recording HDTV.)

-Pie

[Monmin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Eating Pie,

I agree that this is a legit product. However, I have heard recently that BluRay/HD-DVD will NOT be allowing HD on anything outside of HDMI/HDCP.

So, legit as it is, it ain't gonna work for BR/HD-DVD. How can they prevent it? See the AACS link above.

[Coping With Windows @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

This is a dilemma: I'm barely comfortable with windows (I would gladly use linux except it doesn't support my favorite Java IDE yet) - if I'm ever forced to use longhorn (and I have the cold, gut fear of it) then I just hope I find a tutorial on the DRM algorithm asap.

I don't have a HDTV, however, and seeing as how I don't watch TV I don't think I'll have any conflicts with that.

[hal @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

1. It is legal in EU, even in Germany, where copy protection circumvention laws are becoming stricter

2. It does not convert to analog nor does it tamper the digital signal, once the hdcp is removed (read before you post or you'll just give a bad image of your own intellect)

3. AACS has no bearing on this. AACS is a conten protection mechanism for the data on disc. It will not be transported over DVI/HDMI or any other route. Once the digital video stream leaves a hd/br dvd player, it has no AACS anymore

4. It's not a pirate device. If you use it to pirate something, that's your problem. It's a legitimate piece of hardware. If you pirate the device, I hope they come after you and sue you to hell and back.

5. Some of you are so clueless it hurts. How about thinking, reading and doing research before you post.

[MisterAPL @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

It seems the author of this article was missleaded by a not totaly clear description of the device. Though the description page says "adapt non-HDCP displays to HDCP sources", this feature cannot be found in the pdf manual. Mightbe this will only work when a HDCP source works in a non-encrypted mode.

[http://www.spatz-tech.de/spatz/dvi_magic.htm]
[http://www.spatz-tech.de/spatz/manual_dvimagic.pdf]

Evenmore the device looks identically constructed with the DTronics DD-D12 (except from the big Spatz label on the top). And DTronics writes in its manual: "Our DVI distribution amplifiers are fully HDCP compliant. Many video sources such as DVD players and Satellite/Cable Receivers are HDCP encrypted. For these video sources to be displayed correctly, HDCP compliant devices (eg TV..) are required."

[http://www.digitalconnection.com/downloads/Distribution_Amp_Manual.pdf]

As an owner of an older HD plasma display (LG MZ-50PZ42), I really need such a device, but unfortunately I do not think this one will work for me.

[smokeonit @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

yes, the spatz will work for your older component HDTV, but only in 1080i, if the signal is 720p, most older HDTV will not work.... thats a choice the manuf. made, trying to save money...