The Analog Sunset and how it will affect your business
Submitted by agautam on Wed, 05/12/2010 - 8:32am
So what exactly is the “analog sunset” ? and why should you even care about it. Analog sunset is simply the day where High Definition (HD) content providers turn off the HD output for analog devices. The agreement requires that that manufacturers stop selling devices capable of analog output which passes through the decrypted Advanced Access Content Systems (AACS) by December 31st, 2013. The “sunset” period will begin in 2010 which will require manufacturers to scale back analog support. Any device manufactured between December 31, 2010 and the cutoff date in 2013 will have its analog outputs limited to standard definition Interlace modes.
Many early HDTVs used analog connections i.e. component cable to connect the AV receivers and DVD players. The component cable has a red, green and a blue end cover at the ends. If the HDTV is connected to component cables, and it outputs a 720P, 1080i or 1080P signal, then on December 31st, 2010, the picture quality will degrade to a composite video level. So why are the HD content providers and movie studios doing this, the simple reason is piracy. Movie studios and Television networks lose billions of dollars in revenue because of piracy so they are upping the ante. Digital connections such as HDMI contain a digital rights management (DRM) decoder, which is added to prevent an individual from copying the content from movies and TV shows. AACS is the standard for content distribution and digital rights management and image constraint token (ICT) will be used to restrict analog outputs to 960x540 resolution. There has been sort of an unofficial agreement between the electronic manufacturers and film studios to not use ICT till 2010-2012.
How does this all affect the electronic systems contractors (ESC)? A recent survey has stated that nearly 85 percent of AV installations using HD are still integrated with component video cables. So because of this, many ESCs will have to get educated on learning all the digital signal standards and integrate systems using them. This will make their life simpler in the future.
Another challenge will be integrating with a house that has multi-room audio and video system. For example, if a matrix is used to distribute audio and video in different rooms. This may not work, come December 31st, 2010 as TVs will go to standard definition resolution. The solution will be to make sure all the devices (receivers, cable box, satellites) are digital ready and have multiple HDMI outputs. This will also be a huge opportunity for ESCs as they will have to make sure their client’s systems are upgraded and wired for the inevitable analog sunset.
Help from CEDIA??
by Anonymous - 06/08/2010 - 6:27pm
This is truly a negative for our existing installations. This is not a good time economically to burden clients with the means neccessary to upgrade to HDMI on perfectly functional systems. Especially with sites like sportsbars.
I suspect there will be workarounds, albeit maybe not legal ones, that many will simply put in place at least for the remainder of run time in the exisiting installations. i.e: www.curtpalme.com/HDFury3.shtm
CEDIA could help us by authoring a document in simple to understand terms that we can proactively start sending to our clients which would explain the analog sunset. It would allow us to appear diligent and would also help us to not be the proverbial messenger. (don't they get shot?) Nobody likes bad news...
Document for HDMI
by dpedigo - 06/11/2010 - 9:13pm
Thanks for the response. We actually are currently working on an HDMI best practices document and have some really good folks doing the research. It will be free to members and should be out in a couple of months.
Shock and Awe
by Anonymous - 05/17/2010 - 5:28pm
Thanks for publishing this story. Since Crestron thinks its OK to promote themselves this way, let me say that their system is not the best just because they say so, although it is the most expensive, you can believe that. PureLink does it better at less than half the price, just sayin......
HDMI is here to stay if you want your HD, you are going to have to go digital. It would be cool if they stopped making it better, everytime you turn around, another version is popping up with some features that are not necessary to the Blu-ray experience, lossless audio codecs, etc. v1.3 has it all, dont worry about 3D, its not a reason to trash your current system.
The Borg said, "resistance is futile". This is an apt phrase to keep in mind regarding HDMI.
85% of installed base at risk of losing their HDTV in Nov, thats the story, better get busy everybody, this is going to be one of the biggest opportunities to come our way in a long time.
Bob R., PureLinkav.com, trgmarketing.com
HDMI
by Anonymous - 05/31/2010 - 11:14am
Bob,
Your right... Just because Crestron says its the best doesn’t mean its so.
I've been in the Custom Integration business since 1983 and have watched the technology mature. You say Creston isn't the best and I say I haven't seen better. You work for a competing company and your opinion sounds like sour grapes. Perhaps let an independent testing lab like DPL Laboratories speak for you if you feel so confident and then the industry will have an unbiased answer.
I know Crestron's Digital Media was used in the Olympics and other high profile venues.
Perhaps you can list some of your accomplishments for us to view.
By the way, I'm not saying that you don't have a good product. I really don't know. All I'm saying is knocking your competitors doesn't impress me.
I would like to know where is your product manufactured? In the USA??? That would be nice.
Crestron employees more engineers and employees in the USA then any of their competitors.
Thank you Crestron.
Alan Poltrack
Video Installations Plus, Inc.
DigitalMedia
by Anonymous - 05/13/2010 - 1:15pm
The best video distribution system to future proof an installation is the Crestron DigitalMedia system. Since it is a card based system, you can integrate existing analog sources with current digital formats such as HDMI, DVI, and DisplayPort. If a new digital technology comes out in the future, Crestron can make a new input card for it. It currently works with fiber as well as a copper structured wiring bundle. All inputs are converted to HDMI, so you never have to switch inputs on the TV. You can get more info here: http://www.crestron.com/solutions/digitalmedia_hdmi_distribution/
gonna wait for the proof...
by Anonymous - 06/09/2010 - 8:35am
I challenge anyone over in our industry, that is over 40, to name a manufacturer that supports and updates a "card based system" --- (If a new digital technology comes out in the future, Crestron can make a new input card for it)--- I've been in this industry since 1994, and I don't have 1 piece of equipment left that can be updated with a card.
Don't shower us "oldtimers" with marketing hype.
But does it work yet???
by Anonymous - 05/13/2010 - 7:09pm
I've heard of a lot of issues with this......
Analog Sunset
by Anonymous - 05/13/2010 - 11:40am
Rewiring a house is not always easy. Nor is HDMI cheap. The two Cat5e's I prewired do not pass an HD signal as well as HDMI cable. HDMI video is just as easy for the tech savy profesional to steal. It's just 1s and 0s.
I look foolish going back to my clients and telling them what I put in 4 years ago will not work with new equipment. What is being done is wrong and totally unjustifiable. That said I will bend over and take it like a new prison inmate. Because I am being forced to.
misleading?
by Anonymous - 05/13/2010 - 11:24am
I agree with the other commenter, I don't believe you mean that existing equipment will stop outputting analog video (I don't think that even DRM Nazies can do that). I assume you mean that new equipment manufactured after a certain date will have a self destruct mechanism built in. Guess we better stock up on existing equipment, we appear to be powerless against Hollywood.
The way I read the article...
by Anonymous - 05/13/2010 - 12:31pm
...it will be the content providers who will (probably through an embeded subsignal) block content resolution through the analog outputs.
Selected Output Control
by TSprague416 - 05/13/2010 - 11:20am
Also worth mentioning the FCCs recent decision on Selected Output Control. Here is on link for additional info.
Ted Sprague
Ted@vailelectronics.net
HDTV
by Anonymous - 05/13/2010 - 11:09am
Does this mean that the output from my existing DVD player is going to automatically change format on the component output ?
It does, sort of
by dpedigo - 05/13/2010 - 12:55pm
The way I see read it, beginning this year, Blu-Ray players will stop being manufactured with Component (Y, Pr, Pb) connections and only have HDMI and composite. However, down the road, I believe it is more like 2013, broadcasters and Blu-Ray manufacturers will be able to force a down-resolution of content that does is not HDCP compliant. Thus this will affect, in my opinion, existing installations as well as future installations.
Image Constraint Token, ICT
by Ken.Erdmann - 05/14/2010 - 9:31am
When ICT is implemented as part of the Advanced Access Content System, AACS, after January 1st 2011 any Blu-Ray player that has non-HDCP protected outputs will be affected. When a Blu-Ray disc that has ICT enabled is played the player regardless of manufacture date will only output 480i/576i video on component, composite or Svideo outputs. This will certainly have an impact on any installed system.
there are LOTS of installed systems that use COMPONENT only !
by Anonymous - 05/17/2010 - 8:38am
because in the early days of HDMI, reliability was a serious issue. i have many clients, and systems installed that use component and look terrific at 720p. it is my u nderstanding that 720p will not be an option, they want to down rez it to 480/540. this is unacceptable ! i think 720p should be the cutoff so that those systems that are in place can continue to look good at 720p. those who commented "what am i going to tell my customer now" are correct. is it true that even with a current bluray DVD player, there may be some movies that when insedrted, instruct the player to output at the lower rez ? and finally, is there anything that CEDIA can do to influence the decision makers to change this absurdity ?