HP wants HD DVD features for Blu-ray; unification hopeful?

Iria · Oct 20, 2005, 12:32 AM

Just when you thought this couldn't get any more interesting, HP, a member of the Blu-ray Disk Association and an outspoken defender of the format, has asked the BDA to add features that are currently slated for HD DVD. This marks an interesting shift in what has been as of late a very pro-Blu-ray month.

For the sake of those who haven't been following all of this, allow me to summarize. When Microsoft announced their support for HD DVD, a major factor in their decision was HD DVD's "mandatory managed copy." HD DVD implements part of the AACS control mechanism to allow for things such as putting digital copies of a disc on a hard drive, transferring a movie (legally) to a portable player, or streaming content on a home network. Furthermore, HD DVD makes managed copy mandatory: all content provided on HD DVD must give users the option of making at least one copy. Jordi Ribas, director of technical strategy for the Windows Digital Media Division, told me that while the feature is mandatory, the studios will have the option of charging for it.

Blu-ray immediately fired back, with both Dell and HP issuing a joint statement that, among other things, repudiated Microsoft's claims regarding HD DVD's managed copy. They argued that managed copy is part of the AACS spec, and not format-specific; in other words, it wasn't decision-worthy. As I noted at the time, they failed to address the key part of Microsoft's concern: the mandatory part. That's where the rubber meets the road. I thought it was a nice dodge on their part.

This all leads us to today. HP is now asking the Blu-ray Disc Association for exactly what Microsoft is touting about HD DVD: mandatory managed copy, and something else—support for Microsoft's iHD.
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Read More / Source: Ars Technica

Oct 20, 2005, 12:32 AM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 87	HP wants HD DVD features for Blu-ray; unification hopeful? Just when you thought this couldn't get any more interesting, HP, a member of the Blu-ray Disk Association and an outspoken defender of the format, has asked the BDA to add features that are currently slated for HD DVD. This marks an interesting shift in what has been as of late a very pro-Blu-ray month. For the sake of those who haven't been following all of this, allow me to summarize. When Microsoft announced their support for HD DVD, a major factor in their decision was HD DVD's "mandatory managed copy." HD DVD implements part of the AACS control mechanism to allow for things such as putting digital copies of a disc on a hard drive, transferring a movie (legally) to a portable player, or streaming content on a home network. Furthermore, HD DVD makes managed copy mandatory: all content provided on HD DVD must give users the option of making at least one copy. Jordi Ribas, director of technical strategy for the Windows Digital Media Division, told me that while the feature is mandatory, the studios will have the option of charging for it. Blu-ray immediately fired back, with both Dell and HP issuing a joint statement that, among other things, repudiated Microsoft's claims regarding HD DVD's managed copy. They argued that managed copy is part of the AACS spec, and not format-specific; in other words, it wasn't decision-worthy. As I noted at the time, they failed to address the key part of Microsoft's concern: the mandatory part. That's where the rubber meets the road. I thought it was a nice dodge on their part. This all leads us to today. HP is now asking the Blu-ray Disc Association for exactly what Microsoft is touting about HD DVD: mandatory managed copy, and something else—support for Microsoft's iHD. ___________ Read More / Source: Ars Technica