Darryl
Stunt Coordinator
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2002
- Messages
- 165
I'm trying to avoid hijacking this thread, so I started this one.
Windows Vista will include something called PVP-OPM. It's like DRM (digital rights management) built into the OS. The PVP part stands for "protected video path," so called because the video stream remains encrypted right up until it leaves your PC. At that point the signal will only be useable if you are hooked up to a TV with HDCP built into it. Otherwise the signal will either be unavailable or will be downscaled to something like 480p.
The motivation behind PVP-OPM is to encourage other pieces of the media puzzle to allow you to use your PC to its potential. For example, today you can't record encrypted HD digital cable channels on your media center PC. That won't change until there is some assurance that a HD movie I recorded won't end up on the internet where thousands of people can watch it for free. Content owners and distributors won't allow it to happen.
My opinion is that PVP-OPM is a very good thing. I want my MCE PC to replace my set top box, not augment it. I want to record digital TV as a digital signal, not as a digital signal converted to analog by a set top box, captured as analog, then reconverted to digital, with quality suffering each step of the way. I want to be able to time shift a movie playing on HBO-HD and watch it on my own schedule, without sacrificing quality. Without PVP-OPM or something like it, it's not going to be legally possible.
Windows Vista will include something called PVP-OPM. It's like DRM (digital rights management) built into the OS. The PVP part stands for "protected video path," so called because the video stream remains encrypted right up until it leaves your PC. At that point the signal will only be useable if you are hooked up to a TV with HDCP built into it. Otherwise the signal will either be unavailable or will be downscaled to something like 480p.
The motivation behind PVP-OPM is to encourage other pieces of the media puzzle to allow you to use your PC to its potential. For example, today you can't record encrypted HD digital cable channels on your media center PC. That won't change until there is some assurance that a HD movie I recorded won't end up on the internet where thousands of people can watch it for free. Content owners and distributors won't allow it to happen.
My opinion is that PVP-OPM is a very good thing. I want my MCE PC to replace my set top box, not augment it. I want to record digital TV as a digital signal, not as a digital signal converted to analog by a set top box, captured as analog, then reconverted to digital, with quality suffering each step of the way. I want to be able to time shift a movie playing on HBO-HD and watch it on my own schedule, without sacrificing quality. Without PVP-OPM or something like it, it's not going to be legally possible.