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.

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I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or scratch my head when I read this one. Apparently the editor of the ‘Official PlayStation Magazine’ won’t be buying a PS3 at launch because she “finds the concept of a $600 console insulting.”

Dana Jongewaard goes on to state that “I hope that the price drops soon so I can consider it.” Interesting stuff, the weird thing is I can’t get a feel for whether Dana’s typical or atypical of the average gamer.

She obviously has an interest in games but isn’t comfortable with the price, she also mentions that she has no interest in Blu-ray whatsoever. Will other gamers feel the same and turn their attention toward the Wii and Xbox 360? Only time will tell.

R.Hollis

I wanted to make a ‘year end / new year’ synopsis of where we stand with high definition DVD. I’ve read tons of “news” and “announcements”, but honestly when I sat down and started making notes, a funny thing happened, nothing really. Let me explain. Ok, what did we learn from the Consumer Electronics Show 2005? Come on get real. I hope none of you actually thought anything ‘new’ or definitive would come out of CES; after all it’s really nothing more than the world’s largest real-time infomercial. While there were around 75 HD-DVD titles announced, Sony and their consortium could have likely rounded up just as many, if not more, titles to ‘tease’ with. I’m honestly surprised they didn’t.

The initial HD-DVD and Blu-ray buzz, of seven to eight months ago, certainly hasn’t died down but have we actually learned anything new that would indicate a winner? I think if you had asked the Coca-Cola marketing genius, in charge of New Coke, if they were really on the right track they would have answered with a resounding YES! On April 23rd, 1985 they unleashed New Coke on the buying public. A few months later those same marketing genius, with tails between their legs, ‘introduced’ Coke Classic.

My point is no amount of marketing hype or announcements will pick the winner between HD-DVD and Blu-ray, the buying public will handle that. It might not be in the time frame the manufacturers and studios hope for, but it will happen. I haven’t made my support for HD-DVD a secret but to be honest I’d be happy with either format, as long as there is a clear cut winner, not a prolonged pissing match that dilutes the medium. I feel that HD-DVD has a chance for quicker, fuller saturation of titles, but to put a twist on the old cliche, time will tell, not the marketers.

Michael.G