Irvine (CA) - The introduction by Gateway of the
FPD2185W 21" high-resolution LCD to its product line brings to the computer display market some technologies that Gateway has featured in its widescreen, high-definition TV displays for the past few years. Among these is a controversial feature called High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP).
Gateway's language in introducing HDCP may leave customers with some intriguing questions, as it may raise more concerns than it resolves: "The 21" Widescreen comes with built-in innovative compatibility features so you can handle tomorrow's technology today," begins one paragraph. "The HDCP Video Content Encryption Chip allows encrypted high-definition video to be played on the display through the DVI port. The Protection Video Path ensures the display is compatible with future software packages."
Some will interpret "future software packages" to include Microsoft Windows Vista, which will support HDCP internally, Microsoft announced last April. Speculation arising from that announcement led to inaccurate reports today that Vista would require users to upgrade their monitors, and that Gateway's would be among the first wave of "Vista-ready" replacement monitors. Vista will require HDCP monitors for playback of high-definition content; but if a high-def monitor is not installed, Vista will apparently comply with directives from HDCP's licensing agent, Digital Content Protection LLC, mandating that quality of playback for high-def content be reduced for lower-resolution displays.
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TG Daily
Oct 10, 2005, 08:07 AM
