HP hits up Blu-ray Consortium for mandatory managed copy
posted October 20th 2005 11:25AM
Looks like HP's putting their foot down on this one; apparently they've informed the Blu-ray Consortium that either
the standard gets changed to be a little more consumer friendly, or they're going with HD DVD.
We've seen companies not commit to either HD DVD or
Blu-ray for a variety of reasons, or in some cases even commit to both; we've heard the gripes, we've listened to the
complaints, we've read the analyses, but we've yet to see
a major player actually attempt to coerce one of the format lobbying groups into affecting a change they see as key.
The upshot is that it's really not really too late to make changes in either format, which is what HP's hoping to
leverage in their request for a changeup in Blu-ray's direction with what's arguably the
hottest issue between the standards right now: mandatory
managed copy (i.e. the guarantee that the end user will have the ability to copy movies onto their PC and play them
across their home network). So will the world's number two PC manufacturer holding an axe over Sony's neck head tip the
scales? Well, here's to hoping.
[Via
HDBeat]
Riiight ... let's make it even more consumer unfriendly by trying to postpone consumer release.
I never liked HP anyway. Their computers SUCK.
HP won't support Blu-Ray because all their machines have Media Center on them and since Gates said that they won't support Blu-Ray, neither will HP.
I agree with JCM... HP sucks.
Hmmm, that's interesting. I hope it works. Will Sony do it? I don't know, but if HP decides to swap camps, that'll make big news, I'm sure. Who knows how the publicity might help one side and/or hinder the other.
I dont know what to say in this one. All theyre talking about is to be "consumer friendly" , and that coming from Microsoft and HP says a lot (just ask them about open formats and generic ink cartridges). Microsoft poisons a lot of things...I wish I could see their "true" plan behind iHD , or maybe Im being too paranoid
I'm calling HP's bluff. Jump ship to HD-DVD over managed copy and iHD? Right...
Do people not realize that under HD-DVD terms the studios are allowed to CHARGE you for that copy they must allow. There is no promise that they must allow a free copy. Yes, that means that you could buy the DVD for $20. They must allow you to have a managed copy, but they can charge you ANOTHER $20 to do so. So Blu-ray screws you: they just don't give the bait and switch that HD-DVD does before they screw you.
PC manufacturers have always had to supply their own DVD drivers...so the fact that Media Center doesn't support Blu-ray makes no difference.
HP is just greedy.
They wanted a piece of Apple, they have a piece of Microsoft, they're trying to cling on to Sony/BDC.
What's next? Nintendo?
"Riiight ... let's make it even more consumer unfriendly by trying to postpone consumer release."
So even if it's to implement something that greatly benefits you, you're willing to forego the feature(s) in order to simply "have it now?" What's everyone's rush for Hi-Def movies?...it's not going to kill anyone to wait a few more months. Really itching to buy your movies all over again already? Data backup is about the biggest immediate benefit of either format. I'd rather wait and see something that's more usable by myself (although neither *really* are) rather than the most crippled implementation simply for the reasoning of "gimme, gimme, gimme!"
...and before HPaq, the Pavillion line of consumer PCs were pretty good, some of the best off-the-shelf performers. Still, it's always better to BIY if you've got the time.
"Blu-ray and HD-DVD were not available for comment."
Heh... is that supposed to be a joke? Well it made me laugh ^_^
of course, they don't allow copying now on ordinary dvd drives. third-party software will take care of the problem regardless of what they decide. It will just make more sense to support a feature consumers want than to attempt to keep them from it
Blu-Ray Jon BREAK IT !!!! ! ! !!
"So even if it's to implement something that greatly benefits you, you're willing to forego the feature(s) in order to simply "have it now?""
Well, it's only going to make Blu-ray more expensive in the end. I can understand copy management, but iHD? I was actually glad that Sony was starting to show breakage from Microsoft.
You do have a point, though.
Wow! What a cynical crowd. I suppose you can imagine ulterior motives for just about anything, but it seems pretty evident to me that HP's motivation is to bring the consumer what they want. Granted it's not because they're White Knights, but because they want to sell more product but still... Give 'em a little credit.
RIAA/MPAA crowd never learns either. You'd think by now they would realize that if they allow "managed copy" using open standards, then people will have less motivation to crack it wide open. Goliath will fall if he doesn't change his ways!!!
I think Sony...err Blu-Ray consortium will stick with the policy of not allowing managed copy, which will better appease the movie industry. I mean whose backing is more important, the companies that will produce the media for the Blu-Ray machines, or some lowly also-ran PC manufacturer.
Brian K
DAH - I would like to agree that third-party software will make all the copy protection stuff irrelevant. Keep in mind, though, that as of yet no one has broken Microsoft's DRM9 and DRM10 schemes. That tells me that these guys are getting better at protecting their data. I'm not saying it's right - but it's happening.
Damn. Both standards sound rotten. For once, I'll have to side with Bill Gates and say that the whole concept of high-capacity optical is going to be shoved aside when we have nationwide super-high-speed broadband, and can just download it and burn it ourselves, or save it on the HDD, or beam it to our set-top box. I'm sick of companies inventing new formats just to stop me from being able to backup my legitimately-purchased stuff.
Sure, I'd rather have it now and forego managed copy or whatever they wanna call it. I play all my media on one TV so I really could care less about bouncing movies all over the house or to PMPs. I just can't stand watching standard definition programming at this point, and I'm miffed that only options are whatever the handful of HD broadcasters want to show me. Why can't I pick my own HD content?
natiahs
Microsoft just wants their iHD included because they dont want to support Java. Microsoft just cares for iHD and then Managed Copy just to make windows the hub for that..if Blue Ray has is, then they dont care who wins. I hope Sony doesnt give them the advantage to control and shape yet another technology, cripple other plataforms and burden customers. And someone said that the managed copy wont be free..thats interesting, we dont know how that managed copy is going to turn out. "Pro Customers"..yeah right
Microsoft just wants their iHD included because they dont want to support Java. Microsoft just cares for iHD and then Managed Copy just to make windows the hub for that..if Blue Ray has is, then they dont care who wins. I hope Sony doesnt give them the advantage to control and shape yet another technology, cripple other plataforms and burden customers. And someone said that the managed copy wont be free..thats interesting, we dont know how that managed copy is going to turn out. "Pro Customers"..yeah right
#18 says.. "I really could care less about bouncing movies all over the house or to PMPs".
I'm like that too. I have over 1000 DVDs already, I've never had to 'bounce any of them around' anywhere. I'll be happy to have one copy to watch (only a few I'll re-buy in HD after the dust settles, I can wait). You only need to see them so often anyhow.
Likewise, I've never had to 'back-up' any of the 1000 DVDs (it would still require endless Blu-Rays or HD-DVDs). One copy is all I've ever needed. At the risk of making myself look too old (although I am quite a few years younger than Bill gates). I've only ever had one copy of my vinal records with never even the concept of backing them up, and they're harder to take care of than DVDs. Same with my old VHS tapes and Laserdiscs, backing them up was just unheard of! It's just a matter of taking care of what you got. In the rare event something could happen, just buy another copy, it's less fussy and time consuming (I'm sure everyone reading this still stops in on a video store now and then). And if your movie is really that good, why not support it (and support your favorite HD format at the same time!). I too, know I have to control my desire to watch any movie any time, any where I happen to be, and limit myself to fewer ocassions and places (living room's fine really) to view them, but it can be done!
Another reason there is no need to back up your movies; you'll only have to replace it with the next new-and-improved video format anyway, which is never that long of a wait!!!
Whats the hottest OS right? Windows Media Center 2005.
If Blu-Ray doesn't give in, they are toast. I happen to think they are already toast.
PS3 won't save them.
Well I think it would be a good idea. I mean i would love the idea that i could put a dvd in my computer and play it via a xbox360, PS3 or stright to my tv...
I think its a good idea and that one of the main reasons i support HD-DVD, though im not too fond of the the limit size but then agian 15 gig is alot hahahha...
But im acutally find me self cheering for HP for a good idea once in their life.
@ #22
Toast Yeah Right!!!
No one could care less about that Cr@p. Its a cheap rip-off, first of all you gotta buy an extender (Useless since its not broadband connected to devices, and it doesnt even support broadcasts in HD). Second of all, less then 20% of the American Population owns it (Since the security on the thing is Cr@p, and that it only supports multimedia content, No average usage like office 2003). And if you have enough as to looking at the support behind Blu-Ray and the real Artical at HD beat. You'dd see that HP is REQUESTING a change not DEMANDING!.
Overall, Media Center is not for the average working cosumer (Its like a cheap copy of a iMAC G5). Most of us prefer XP professional, for a windows brand.
@ #22
Toast Yeah Right!!!
No one could care less about that Cr@p. Its a cheap rip-off, first of all you gotta buy an extender (Useless since its not broadband connected to devices, and it doesnt even support broadcasts in HD). Second of all, less then 20% of the American Population owns it (Since the security on the thing is Cr@p, and that it only supports multimedia content, No average usage like office 2003). And if you have enough as to looking at the support behind Blu-Ray and the real Artical at HD beat. You'dd see that HP is REQUESTING a change not DEMANDING!.
Overall, Media Center is not for the average working cosumer (Its like a cheap copy of a iMAC G5). Most of us prefer XP professional, for a windows brand.
I wish HP had announced, "We've decided not to participate in the current HD-DVD standards competition, and we will not be supporting either proposed format. Once a single, viable standard has evolved we will consider revising our position at that time."
The whole concept of a physica media standard for content delivery is a dying thing anyway with on demand and pay Internet download services. All I want is a high speed larger capacity backup system and better file standards for multimedia content.
#25 "The whole concept of a physica media standard for content delivery is a dying thing anyway with on demand and pay Internet download services"
I personally would always prefer 'physical media content delivery'. I believe most people would. "Pay-per-view" cable movies didn't put a dent in physical recorded media. You can't always be concerned about 'downloading' something every time the kids (or myself) want to see a movie. Let your eyes scan through the DVD collection and pick what your in the mood for instantly and toss it in the player! I also lend my movies out or borrow from friends. Though I don't, many other people take pride in their collection of movies. You couldn't do that if it all is just 'downloadable'
Physical media will never die. Downloads will merely be another option.
I'm surprised people think MS's 'support' for HD-DVD matters. Microsoft doesn't have to do jack, Blu-ray will work on Windows machines, period. So any predictions of doom due to MS's lack of public support are idiotic. You know, MS doesn't actually support *DVD* - the individual vendors do. Since HD-DVD and Blu-ray use identical codecs, once the data is off the disc Media Center doesn't give a shit.
Also, it seems like a game of telegraph line created the original article. This is the ONLY entry I've seen that claims HP is threatening to switch to HD-DVD. They're not. They have re-affirmed, again, their whole hearted support for Blu-ray. They are NOT switching to HD-DVD. All they have done is requested, as part of the BDA, that mandatory managed copy and iHD be reconsidered for incorporation in the BD spec. That's all.
Oh, and BD doesn't forbid managed copy, it just doesn't make it mandatory, so it is up to the studios to decide if they want to allow it or not. HD-DVD takes their choice away and they must allow it, that's the only real difference.
#22, you're absolutely right. If people want to really experience Windows Media Center 2005, and Vista to follow next year, to the fullest, then people should support HD-DVD. Sony is full of siht. They are so damn controlling over everything. Look at the PSP and the freaking firmware updates that try to keep you from doing what you want with your machine. I for one favor just being able to either download a movie to my hard drive, or rip the purchased HD-DVD and keep everything in one place. That way I don't need to use the disk again and I can stream the movie to any TV in the house with a remote, without having to get up to put a disk in, or wonder where I left it, or which box it got put in last, or watch it skip because of a scratch. HP did the right thing here. Hopefully other PC manufacturers will follow.
#20, it would be much easier to watch those 1,000 DVDs if they were all in one place, ie: a hard drive. Then all you would have to do is select the movie onscreen and not have to change out the damn things.
"The whole concept of a physica media standard for content delivery is a dying thing anyway with on demand and pay Internet download services."
What a laugh. Are you really going to download 30 gig every time you watch a movie on your new HDTV?
It's like saying combustion engines are a dying breed because we'll all have cold fusion in our cars soon.
Sure, maybe someday, but it's gonna be a while. There's a big difference between your 5 MB iTunes download and a 30 gig movie.
#28 'it would be much easier to watch those 1,000 DVDs if they were all in one place, ie: a hard drive. Then all you would have to do is select the movie onscreen and not have to change out the things.'
I agree, it would be, but, maybe some one can figure out about how big of a hard drive would I need? How much time would it take to transfer all 1000 DVDs to the hard drive? I'd have to get up and 'change the things' for each transfer, till I get them all in the hard drive. I've had a lot more hard drives crash on me than ruined DVDs, though I have easily 100 times more DVDs than hard drives. I have all my DVDs in one large antique cabinet, catagorized, and simple to find (esp. compared to Laserdiscs). And all the 'work' of getting up and changing the DVD is good exercise! The rare times I watch two movies in one night, I'll even carry two DVDs at the same time! ;)
you know, if neither formats allows people to make copies of whatever they want, whenever they want, freely (or as freely as cd/dvdRWs, then the only people who will have hd/blu-ray will be the ones who regularly visit sites like these. Everyone else will avoid this "managed protection" crap like the plague.