[Kipp Jones]

I hope the subject line was not misleading.


Does anyone here know if an HDMI/HDCP emulator device can be made to convert the HDMI/HDCP to component/digital audio out? I am not just talking about a connection converter, I mean a device similar to what some (excuse the mention here please) D* hackers have done with pirating the D* signal.


The device would obviously go in the data stream line where it would act as a HDMI/HDCP device that incorporates the proper software to accept and communicate the HDMI/HDCP protocols then convert (compress) the data to a usable output for component/digital audio.


Please, no flames as this is only an inquisition on the possibility.

 

[JoeFloyd]

Yes, it's possible. But discussing it on an open forum is a federal offense.

 

[majortom]

Quote:

Originally posted by JoeFloyd Yes, it's possible. But discussing it on an open forum is a federal offense.

No, discussing it is fine, building it is a violation of DMCA.


/carmi

 

[Dylan Savage]

I'd just like to add that I hate it when people try to stifle conversation with threats about laws, when they are neither moderators, nor lawyers.

 

[JoeFloyd]

Quote:

No, discussing it is fine, building it is a violation of DMCA.

Discussion of the concept is fine, but any detailed discussion that can lead to an actual implementation is illegal. That would fall under the DMCA.



Quote:

I'd just like to add that I hate it when people try to stifle conversation with threats about laws

I think the DMCA is a stupid law, but there are plenty of people who don't know much about it. For example, there has been a paper published which described several aspects of the HDCP standard which could be used to help crack the encryption. It is illegal to discuss the technical details presented in that paper in this country.


So yes, it's possible to build a device such as kippjones has suggested, but such a product unless licensed by Silicon Image would be 1) a violation of the Silicon Image license agreement 2) most likely a violation of some Silicon Image patents 3) illegal under the DMCA. It's unlikely any such device will ever be licensed. Furthermore, the technology needed to construct a device such as kippjones has suggested would be illegal, and the knowledge needed to build the device is illegal to disseminate. The law is clear on all of those points.


It's possible that the DMCA will be weaken or completely struck down by the Supreme Court, but even is such a situation comes to pass there would still be patent and contract laws to keep such a product from the market.

 

[Kipp Jones]

Thanks for the replies and info. Now knowing this is possible, more than likely such a device will surface.

 

[Cambridge Bob]

Joe,

Actually, it's Digital Content Protection, LLC (a spin-off of Intel, I think), who administer the license agreement for HDCP. Silicon Image is just a chip-maker. Or perhaps it is a breast augmentation clinic?

 

[Dylan Savage]

Don't let all this talk about how even showing the details of the standard are illegal scare you. The chances of actually getting prosecuted under the DMCA are incredibly small, mostly they just like to bluff and bluster with it.


And Kipp - you are right. These devices will be available. Whether we will actually need them is another story - I think devices with component outputs at full resolution will be here for quite some time.