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Xbox 360 Digital Output for Secure Content Protection?

Microsoft and CableLabs Announce Agreement to Enable HD Digital Cable Programming on Windows-Based PCs

 

Quote: “…will allow consumers to enjoy one-way cable programming, including premium high-definition cable content, on their personal computer and throughout the home on compliant network-connected devices, such as Xbox 360, while protecting cable operators’ investments in high-value content in a digital environment.”

 

Quote: “Microsoft is working closely with CableLabs to document final approval of Windows Media Digital Rights Management (DRM)…”

 

I’ve said before that WMRM would be used to allow content to flow to the Xbox 360 and be protected, but the question still remains: What about secure output?  Are we to assume now that Microsoft has the ability to add a digital output (DVI/HDCP/HDMI) to the Xbox 360 via a new dongle?  The content isn’t “protected” if the output is analog (S-Video, Composite, Component, VGA) which is the only outputs known on the current Xbox 360 dongle.

 

If we get a digital output, that makes the Xbox 360 part of Why Microsoft is Still My Choice to Win Your Living Room (June 2, 2005)

Published Wed, Nov 16 2005 20:59 by chrisl
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Comments

# re: Xbox 360 Digital Output for Secure Content Protection?

I'm asking if they do have the ability to add a digital output without a new revision of the 360. Can they add it via a new output dongle. I don't know the answer. The andandtech article is asking the same thing i am. :)

"Unfortunately in the first version of the Xbox 360, that AV cable port appears to be strictly analog. Microsoft has indicated that they *may* support HDMI at a later point in time, but that *may* require a new revision of the motherboard - assuming there is no digital video signal carried over the AV port. On the flip side, ATI has had a history of placing TMDS transmitters on their GPUs, so it *may be possible* that a digital video signal is present at this connector today, although if it were we don't understand why Microsoft wouldn't offer a DVI/HDMI cable option now."

Saturday, November 19, 2005 2:22 PM by chrisl

# re: Xbox 360 Digital Output for Secure Content Protection?

Chris,
Is it your understanding that MS/Xbox 360 is holding back on offering a DVI and/or HDMI output because they don't have the permission yet? If so, you are saying they DO have the capability built into the 360? That would be good, no, great news if true.

This story at Anandtech indicates that the reason MS has not released an DVI or HDMI output is because the 360 was not built to handle it: http://www.anandtech.com/systems/showdoc.aspx?i=2611&p=2

What are your thoughts? Will we see a digital output for current generation 360's?

Saturday, November 19, 2005 9:38 PM by chrisl

# re: Xbox 360 Digital Output for Secure Content Protection?

Chris,
Any new updates/info on this topic?

Monday, December 12, 2005 5:05 PM by PJ

# re: Xbox 360 Digital Output for Secure Content Protection?

Chris,
Here is a forum entry by a MS MVP that I found over at HD Beat. Any truth to his HDMI speculation?

"So, HDMI...people say Microsoft doesnt have the ability to put one out. That is actually incorrected (based on a Teamxbox.com interview of one of the head ATI guys). 1080p I do not know of.

BUT, one of the main reasons that MS did not put out an HDMI cable right now, is while there ARE people that use it (some fellow Xbox MVP AV freaks), looking at the general public it is small. They have not ruled out putting one out yet.

Also, another thing that was a big "problem" is the lack of the next gen optical drive. Now, looking at it, look what happened today, HD-DVD was delayed.

Posted at 9:09 PM ET on Dec 13, 2005 by Matt Gerlach"

Wednesday, December 14, 2005 12:21 PM by PJ

# re: Xbox 360 Digital Output for Secure Content Protection?

I still don't have any new information on the subject, but the fact is that Microsoft needs a secure output, an HDCP/HDMI is the only way to provide that.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005 5:44 PM by chrisl

# re: Xbox 360 Digital Output for Secure Content Protection?

One comment in response to PJ above. I can't believe that demand for a VGA connector would be higher than the demand for DVI/HDMI currently. The only people I see using the VGA connector are those using computer monitors or older projectors without component inputs. Most TV's with VGA in will also have component in and the component will give you better resolution. All HDTV's sold in the last 12-18 months and some as much as 24 months ago had at least a DVI connector.

Friday, December 16, 2005 1:07 PM by Brian Hoyt

# re: Xbox 360 Digital Output for Secure Content Protection?

does anyone have any idea when there will be a dvi/hdmi cable available for the xbox 360 i really need to know

this will help me decide between which system i want

xbox 360 or ps3, anybody kno?

Tuesday, November 14, 2006 8:56 PM by John