On February 11, 2007 the master encryption code or “processing key” for AACS (copy protection for the rest of us) used on HD DVD and Blu-ray discs was posted on the Doom9 forums by a hacker named arnezami. According to him, it was as simple as recording the changes in memory at the start up of the disc and viola; there was the code to unlock all next-gen discs that have been released to date.

What does this mean for HD DVD and Blu-ray? Both formats use AACS (Advanced Access Content System) for protection against piracy, so both formats are at risk of illegal reproduction. But in my opinion, all this talk about the DRM code being compromised means nothing. This only makes a difference to the people that were not planning on buying these HD titles to begin with and that have already been enjoying downloaded HD content.

Case in point, DVD copy protection was cracked back in October of 1999 and DVD sales for 2005 alone were in the realm of $16.6 billion. We have been able to record, download, and play the “unprotected” DVD format for almost 8 years but yet the consumer still spends large amounts of money on the actual discs sold at retailers.

Why would consumers do that? Are they stupid? No, the average consumer does not want to spend the time with downloading a 6 to 7 GB movie on their hard drive, taking a chance that it is not DVD quality, and then record it on a disc just so they don’t have to watch it on their computer monitor. To you and me, this doesn’t sound like a big deal, but to the people that don’t see a problem in spending $15 on DVD with the nice cover and case, downloading and recording DVD, or HD DVD even, seems like a waste of time.

If the average consumer is not downloading standard definition DVD titles; while it is so easy, why would they start now with HD? The thought that is will affect HD DVD or Blu-ray sales is laughable. And that is what will win this format war, the sales. If HD DVD or Blu-ray are not doing well in sales, it will be because of the titles or lack of titles they have released and the prices of the players, not because of “mass” downloading of questionable quality, HD content.

As far as the reported hack on the DRM, both camps are looking into the claim.

R.Hollis

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 15th, 2007 at 2:12 pm and is filed under Commentary. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.