Barry Wilkins wrote: > Why is it then that in the US where this HDCP system was > devised, you can get the HD through component but here we > cannot? And Singapore gets HD through component and maybe > even Australia? Any clues? Yes, legacy. The original HD interfaces between ATSC STBs and HD displays were component analog. So of course, they had to provide HD. Then, ca. 2003, the whole "broadcast flag" debacle occurred. At that time, the FCC was planning to allow broadcasters to use this "redistribution prevention flag," which would cause OTA broadcasts to become encrypted if transmitted over digital baseband interfaces such as DVI or IEEE 1394. But the FCC stipulated that (a) no time-shift recording would be impeded by the broadcast flag, and (b) all existing analog interface equipment would continue to work as before. Probably now all those decisions are water under the bridge. But the FCC's intent was clear back then. They essentially mandated the "analog hole," but only for OTA broadcast signals. Here is an example of specific text from the FCC, on this subject. You will note that there isn't any mention of using encryption or scrambling over the analog interface, but there is over the digital interface. Bert ----------------------------------- http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-240759A1.doc What types of equipment are affected? o All existing equipment in use by consumers today will remain fully functional. Thus, consumers can continue to use existing equipment without purchasing new or additional equipment to receive and view broadcast television signals. o The new rule requires that DTV reception devices containing demodulators recognize and give effect to the broadcast flag pursuant to certain compliance and robustness rules. o "Compliance" refers to what the covered demodulator can do with the broadcast content. If the flag is present, the content can be sent in one of several permissible ways, including (1) over an analog output, e.g. to existing analog equipment; or (2) over a digital output associated with an approved content protection or recording technology (this list of approved technologies is often referred to as "Table A"). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways: - Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at FreeLists.org - By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line.