Cryptography Expert Paul Kocher Warns: Future DVDs Prime Target for Piracy, Pay TV Foreshadows Challenges

[Steve Schear]

At 10:40 AM 4/20/2004, R. A. Hettinga wrote:
>"While it's unfortunate that security on the current DVD format is broken
>and can't be reprogrammed, HD is what really matters. Once studios release
>high-definition content, there will be little or no distinction between
>studio-quality and consumer-quality," said Kocher. "This means that HD is
>probably Hollywood's one and only chance to get security right."

The major problem facing Hollywood in protecting their HD content is that 
it runs smack up against an installed base of millions of HDTVs with only 
ACV (analog component video), including mine.  These consumers were 
promised by the FCC that they would not be left to twist in the wind when 
newer set-top-box to TV connections evolved and it does not appear 
technically practical to retrofit these sets to accommodate encrypted DVI 
or Firewire inputs.  The FCC has already stated they do not support 
broadcast flags for pay content and unless they back-peddle on this 
Hollywood appears to have only three other options: restrict the 
availability of HD content to cable broadcasters, prevent the sale of 
devices that can capture HD quality content from ACV, or insist that the 
resolution of ACV signals be degraded when "copy restricted" content is 
being broadcast.

The first will bring great howls from existing HDTV owners with only 
ACV.  The second is probably impractical since illegal devices (little more 
than 3-channel A-D converters on a PCI card) are sure to be produced and 
only a small number in the hands of skilled movie releasing groups are 
required to widely disseminate their content via the Internet.  The third 
option is also sure to bring major complaints from existing set owners.

steve  

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