Audio Video News

In a move to protect against illegal copying and large-scale piracy while allowing consumers the flexibility to manage and enjoy copies of their legally purchased content, the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) has adopted the most comprehensive content-management system (CMS) ever employed on an optical-disc format. The Blu-ray CMS includes three primary components: Advanced Access Content System (AACS), ROM Mark, and BD+.

"Content protection is a critical issue for next-generation media distribution," said IDC's Joshua Martin, associate research analyst for consumer markets. "Finalizing the content-protection scheme is critical for the launch of blue-laser optical-disc technology, and new protection schemes should allow for increased consumer flexibility while better protecting pre-recorded content compared to current DVD technology."

AACS is a state-of-the-art system that is many times more powerful than that used in DVD. In addition, AACS enables new consumer uses within local-area networks and the Internet, including managing copies in an authorized and secure manner.

ROM Mark, which is unique to Blu-ray, is a new technology designed specifically to thwart large-scale, mass-production piracy, a problem that is estimated to cost the movie industry more than $3 billion per year in lost revenue. To combat this, the ROM Mark technology embeds a unique and undetectable identifier in pre-recorded BD-ROM media, such as movies, music, and games. Invisible to consumers, this ROM Mark can only be mastered with equipment available to licensed BD-ROM manufacturers, essentially preventing unauthorized copies of a disc.

BD+, also unique to Blu-ray, allows content providers to respond to any attempts to hack AACS by reverse-engineering a legitimate player and attempting to implement it in an unauthorized player or computer software. When that happens (and it is certain to happen at some point), BD+ allows the disc to detect that it is being played in an unauthorized device and stop working. Once the BDA becomes aware that the CMS has been compromised, it can be altered (renewed) by content providers to continue providing content protection. This remains completely transparent to users of legitimate devices, which remain operational no matter how many times the CMS is renewed.

"The level of unauthorized copying and industrial piracy associated with DVD not only jeopardizes studios and other content creators, but also results in increased costs and limited flexibility for consumers," said Maureen Weber, general manager of Hewlett Packard's Optical Storage Solutions. "It is good news for everyone that the BDA has adopted a series of measures that gets it right for the next disc format."

Following closely on the heels of this announcement, Toshiba issued the following statement from Mark Knox, advisor to Toshiba's HD DVD promotion division:

"Today's announcement by the BDA should not confuse anyone—HD DVD's content-protection system provides the highest level of advanced copy protection to meet content owner's needs and the rigors of consumer demand. This is one reason why many major film studios and IT leaders have announced their support for the HD DVD format.

"The AACS system to be used by HD DVD provides the most advanced content protection yet devised: a synthesis of high level security, including renewability, proven reliability, cost effectiveness and flexibility, as well as superior implementation in real-world devices.

"Major studios have already announced support for the HD DVD format and a timetable for movie launches. We will continue to promote further penetration of the format, while simultaneously seeking ways to eventually realize a single format that delivers optimized benefits to all concerned industries and, most important, to consumers."

Realize a single format—yeah, right. That will obviously be the one left standing.