News and Reviews....
Say Goodbye To Analog Ports .......... March 2010
By Robert Lieto
After December 31, 2010, manufacturers will not introduce new hardware with Component Video Outputs supplying more than SD resolution (480 or 576i) If the manufacturer has existing models in its lineup, it will be able to continue selling that model until the end of 2013. The idea is that all high-definition video will be supplied through the HDMI connections. But that's not the end of the story. After January 1, 2011, software manufacturers will be able to insert something called an Image Constraint Token into any Blu-Ray disc. This bit of digital information within the software will turn the high-definition component video out OFF.
Turning the Component outputs off on Blu-ray players exists today, but it does not currently apply to other high-definition sources, including satellite and cable boxes. This will clearly cause some issues for installers who have, in the past, avoided HDMI because of technical issues associated with the format. If the installer did not take into account the possibility of a change in format, they may be facing an unpleasant situation.
There are a number of potential remedies for installers who have component only wiring installed. The first choice would be to deploy a set of baluns, which use either two Cat 5e or Cat 6 wire to carry the HDMI signal. The other alternative is wireless transmission of HDMI, with all the perils associated with Wireless devices, including range, interference issues and cost which is multiplied with the technical problems associated with HDMI signal cables and their handshake problems.
manufactures are exploring devices that will support HDMI over a network connection, over coaxial cable and over power lines. results may vary on the format and form factor chosen.
This is Image Constraint Token (ICT) is not a term that I would expect our customers to be familiar with, but one that we are constantly weighting in on and monitoring. It is less a weight in new system designs, depending on how elaborate your design, as it is in ones that are 4 to 7 years or more old because they probably use Component type wiring in their video signal feeds and paths.
To fully understand the ICT please review our take on ICT listed below.
Our Comment ..... This whole problem is cause by the paranoid nature of the movie studios The HDMI format was devised to eliminate the theft of digital movie signals by the common user. problem with that is that the common user has no intention of making multiple copies in digital and probable do not have the equipment to do so. Take someone that has an understanding of electronics and you would find that it is not very difficult to tap in once you are inside the equipment. We have been purposefully using the Component (1080i) signals for our distribution of dependable video signals for many years, probable as long as the component outputs existed. It affords a dependable signal over the HDMI format each and every day. We believe that the industry is shooting itself in the foot for clients that cannot watch their HDTV sets due to Blu-Ray protocol. And, that they will get very disturbed, very quickly, when their installer has to keep coming back to sync their HDTV inputs and outputs and the bills for service keep rising. Write your local congressman.
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Past Articles on Subject:
The Dreaded ICT April 2008
