Many have been wondering why the Microsoft Xbox360 showed up at the Intel Developer Forum. Especially since Microsoft went with IBM power PC processors instead of continuing with Intel chips. Well the answer to this question is HDCP.
With all these H’s and Letters it’s easily confusing and easier to dismiss but its very important. So let the class begin!
What the heck is HDCP? Good question. Before we can learn about HDCP we have to learn about HDMI.
HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface. It is the connection standard established by Toshiba. Toshiba is company that started HD-DVD. HD-DVD as most know is the disc format supported by Microsoft and will eventually be used for the Xbox 360. Other companies have signed on to pledge their support for the new format. One of these companies is Intel.
Basically for people who don’t care about that other crap, HDMI is the plug on the end of the cable that connects to your HD TV. Ok, so what?
Well there a problem with this; Older High-Definition TV’s that do not have HDMI connections. They mostly likely have DVI. I’m not going to go in to DVI right now. There are DVI to HDMI converters but doing this conversion causes some color issues, possibly downgrading HD resolution, automatic screen format conversion and universal remote control. So if you, or you parents, went out and dropped 4K on a HDTV without HDMI hope the store where it was purchased has a return policy like Britney Spears and husbands.
HDMI is married to the Digital media industry and they had a demon baby called HDCP. This is the scary part. HDCP stands for High Definition Content Protocol. Intel developed it. That’s why the Xbox360 was at the Intel Developer Forum.
Basically with out confusing numbers and jargon HDCP is digital signal encryption. So with HDMI and HDCP you have to make sure your TV has both. Also this means no backing up of Games. It becomes very pricey to convert the encrypted signal into a de-crypted bit stream that can be converted to analog for copying and then probably not playable. There might eventually be software that would allow you to de-crypt it but PC’s currently don’t support HDMI. Basically we are locked out. HDMI allows your TV and XBOX360 to be exclusive friends and you are just the kid that gets to throw rocks but never gets in on the inside jokes and eventually takes the fall for everyone else.
“Well I’m really confused so can I play an XBOX360 or not.” Yeah of course you can. Once MS decides to go to HDDVD than you wont truly get All the features offered. For the complete experience you'll need an HDCP/ HDMI compatible television not just a HDTV.
The announcement that the XBOX360 will have an HDMI connection and showing up at the Intel Developer Forum you can guarantee the XBOX360 will eventually have HD-DVD support. Do you buy now or wait? That’s up to you.
For more information, take a look at this page from
CNet.
