Something I've never understood

[rbandrews]

New Apple computers have HDCP, which is a nefarious copy protection system, built into the video-out ports. So you can't play HDCP-protected videos on non-HDCP-compliant (read: older than brand new) monitors. And everyone is up in arms about their civil liberties being infringed.

So here's my question: since when has watching TV and movies at a sharper resolution been that important? Why does anyone care? They released a technology that is totally superfluous, and then saddled it with oppressive DRM. The response here is to just not buy that technology, not to become self-righteous about the DRM.

You poor things, only standard-definition movies. However will you survive?

Comments

We also walked to school in the snow uphill both ways

[diadelphous.livejournal.com]

I remember when we watched VHS tapes and we liked it.

Re: We also walked to school in the snow uphill both ways

[rbandrews]

See, I even understand moving to DVDs. With DVDs, you didn't have to buy a new TV, DVDs not only looked better but also had chapters, you didn't have to rewind them, there were special features on the disc like a "making of" documentary, and they were even cheaper! VHS tapes used to cost like $30-$40!

HD stuff is the same as DVD, except it's more expensive and looks sharper. There's nothing fundamentally different, it just looks better. I don't see how it's a required upgrade.

Re: We also walked to school in the snow uphill both ways

[diadelphous.livejournal.com]

One thing I like about VHS tapes is that when you stop it and turn off the TV/video player, it doesn't go back to beginning of the movie. So I remain unconvinced that chapters are an improvement.

Everything else, i'm with you. I really don't care about HDTV anyway. I am cynical enough to think most of this stuff exists to trick people into spending money.

Re: We also walked to school in the snow uphill both ways

[diadelphous.livejournal.com]

Although having said that, I played We Love Katamari on my friend's HDTV one time and I saw these crazy swirly patterns in the background that had, on my TV, just been black.

So that was kind of cool.

Re: We also walked to school in the snow uphill both ways

[wyrdone.livejournal.com]

Don't know about yours, but if I turn off my DVD player, it will restart a DVD at the same spot unless I unplug the unit or eject the media. Granted that doesn't help you if you do switch discs or fully power off the unit.