First some background info:

The Analog Sunset clause pertains to the sale of HD sources that support AACS-protected content. Here is information from a whitepaper:

• Analog Sunset — The analog sunset refers to a defined
date after which analog outputs are no longer
approved for AACS-protected content. The AACS
analog sunset will be enforced in two stages. Starting
in 2010, analog output of AACS-protected content
will be limited to interlaced standard definition
formats only. In 2013, output of AACS-protected
content on analog outputs will no longer be
approved.

• Image Constraint Token — This mechanism allows
studios to limit the resolution of content when
played back over an analog output. If enabled, this
token will limit resolution to 520,000 pixels per
frame, which is 25 percent of the 1080p full highdefinition
resolution.

******************

I own a rear-projection HDTV. It is about to become the family's backup TV. Basically, this TV becomes almost worthless by 2011. That isn't too far away. I certainly don't plan to just throw it away.

Yes, I can buy up a couple HD-DVD or Blu-Ray players in 2010, for future use. But then the Image Constraint Token is going to take away my high-res anyway. So, the phase-in from 2011 to 2013 isn't really one at all, unless they push the ICT back to 2013 as well.

It's clear the industry doesn't care -- they assume the buyers will all have new HDMI TVs (or if whatever new digital standard comes along). Well, HDMI has been a nightmare of compatability. I doubt the industry can guarantee that all future devices will work with HDMI TVs of today or 2 years ago.

I think this sunset clause will be seen as a desperation control move by the movie industry, and force a backlash. I think piracy will increase rather than decrease, because of the move.

Questions: Do you think this will affect the adoption of HD media? Will the consumer care? Will it increase piracy?

One thing is for sure -- my HDTV is going to become close to worthless on that date.

I'm a Sony HD CRT owner. I don't know for sure if my display will still be my primary display by this time, but I don't think I will be affected by this.

If there is any enforcement of these clauses and systems, then it will be because the hardware manufacturers want customers like us to pony up some cash for a new display. This is less about the studios protecting themselves from piracy (they have bigger issues to worry about than analog holes to plug) than it is about making money from the lobbying manufacturers who need to give their customers some unfriendly incentives to buy more products.

But where there is a space in the market, there is always someone to fill it and we can already see devices like HD Fury filling that space.

Increase piracy, maybe.

If you have a analog only CRT display device and must buy a new HD player, then the only real way to watch movies in HD would be to rip the protection and burn it onto another disc. Is this piracy or fair use. I guess you would also have to do this with any movie you rent....hmmm...

Yes, I can buy up a couple HD-DVD or Blu-Ray players in 2010, for future use. But then the Image Constraint Token is going to take away my high-res anyway.
ICT will not have any impact on your existing library. It only impacts future discs with this flag on them. Given the large volume of 360 owners with analog out, I don't think studios will exercise this option anytime soon.

The Analog Sunset part sure sounds ugly. I have a 38" CRT that I thought would be the perfect bedroom TV, but if I can't take advantage of my HD collection that will be a real drag.

Exactly how will this be enforced? In HD and HD DVD players? So, can I just move my current players into the bedroom and pray that ICT flags are set few and far between?

The Analog Sunset part sure sounds ugly. I have a 38" CRT that I thought would be the perfect bedroom TV, but if I can't take advantage of my HD collection that will be a real drag.
Per above, you will be fine with what you have bought. Of course, it is hard to imagine that CRT set doing well 4 years from now :).

Exactly how will this be enforced? In HD and HD DVD players? So, can I just move my current players into the bedroom and pray that ICT flags are set few and far between?
Correct. It only impacts new players being manufactured. The millions shipped before that are just fine.

First some background info:

The Analog Sunset clause pertains to the sale of HD sources that support AACS-protected content. Here is information from a whitepaper:

• Analog Sunset — The analog sunset refers to a defined
date after which analog outputs are no longer
approved for AACS-protected content. The AACS
analog sunset will be enforced in two stages. Starting
in 2010, analog output of AACS-protected content
will be limited to interlaced standard definition
formats only. In 2013, output of AACS-protected
content on analog outputs will no longer be
approved.

• Image Constraint Token — This mechanism allows
studios to limit the resolution of content when
played back over an analog output. If enabled, this
token will limit resolution to 520,000 pixels per
frame, which is 25 percent of the 1080p full highdefinition
resolution.

******************

I own a rear-projection HDTV. It is about to become the family's backup TV. Basically, this TV becomes almost worthless by 2011. That isn't too far away. I certainly don't plan to just throw it away.

Yes, I can buy up a couple HD-DVD or Blu-Ray players in 2010, for future use. But then the Image Constraint Token is going to take away my high-res anyway. So, the phase-in from 2011 to 2013 isn't really one at all, unless they push the ICT back to 2013 as well.

It's clear the industry doesn't care -- they assume the buyers will all have new HDMI TVs (or if whatever new digital standard comes along). Well, HDMI has been a nightmare of compatability. I doubt the industry can guarantee that all future devices will work with HDMI TVs of today or 2 years ago.

I think this sunset clause will be seen as a desperation control move by the movie industry, and force a backlash. I think piracy will increase rather than decrease, because of the move.

Questions: Do you think this will affect the adoption of HD media? Will the consumer care? Will it increase piracy?

One thing is for sure -- my HDTV is going to become close to worthless on that date.

This will only add fuel to those who think DVDs are good enough anyway.

Per above, you will be fine with what you have bought. Of course, it is hard to imagine that CRT set doing well 4 years from now :).

Tell that to my parents whose 19" Magnavox TV from 1979 (before it was a cheap brand and they had a video game console) is still running strong....albiet the green gun is going out because all football games look like they are being played on a brown field.

2007-1979 = 28 years and ~ 5 hours a day (hey, I grew up with this TV)...that comes to over 51,000 hours. How long were CRT's made in 1979 suppose to last? 25,000 hours?

...
Of course, it is hard to imagine that CRT set doing well 4 years from now :).
....
It is only 4 years old and I would be hard pressed to find a replacement display that has as good an image. This is one of the few things that I got an extended warrantee on.

It is only 4 years old and I would be hard pressed to find a replacement display that has as good an image. This is one of the few things that I got an extended warrantee on.
Hey, I am with you. Our family room HDTV is a Sony CRT. :) But these things age and four years from now, flat panels would have exceptional picture, and much lower cost than today. So I personally am not too worried about what to do with this 250 pound monster by then.

Hopefully you have calibrated yours and not running it in default mode. If not, the blue gun will be long gone by then and the thing will be quite dim by then...

Recently calibrated. I just don't know how I will move the thing when it goes:-(

Recently calibrated. I just don't know how I will move the thing when it goes:-(
When I bought this TV, I asked them to remove the old one which they did for $25. Litttle did they know it was a rear projection CRT set that was not only heavy but huge! Best $25 I have spent :D.

I own a Panasonic 65 inch CRT that was one of the only ones to offer 1080i and 720p. It is calibrated and I have never had to have the guns alligned. It is still the best picture in my house. It will have to absolutly die and cost $5000,00 dollars to fix before I get rid of it. It is simple perfect. If I can't watch my purchased HD-DVDs and Blu-Ray films on it because of AACS, Analog Restrictions or any other DRM nonsence, you can be rest assured, I will rip AACS from the disk and remove the content protection entirely.

All the while Hollywood and the CE companies will be powerless to stop me.

I own a Panasonic 65 inch CRT that was one of the only ones to offer 1080i and 720p. It is calibrated and I have never had to have the guns alligned. It is still the best picture in my house. It will have to absolutly die and cost $5000,00 dollars to fix before I get rid of it. It is simple perfect. If I can't watch my purchased HD-DVDs and Blu-Ray films on it because of AACS, Analog Restrictions or any other DRM nonsence, you can be rest assured, I will rip AACS from the disk and remove the content protection entirely.

All the while Hollywood and the CE companies will be powerless to stop me.

You will be able to watch your existing highdef DVD's on it until you buy a new player model after the sunset. At that time you will also need a new TV to play them on that player. I don't know if new discs will also change somehow at that date.

In any event I assume ripping will be the more attractive option at that time.

- Tom