Audio Video News

Just in case you were planning to use your computer for watching and possibly copying DVD movies in the near future, Compaq Computer Corporation, Gateway 2000 Inc., Hewlett-Packard Company, IBM Corporation, Micron Electronics, Inc., and Packard Bell/NEC are now licensed to incorporate Macrovision's DVD analog copy-protection technology in their personal-computer products.

These agreements mean that PCs and related products from these companies will have the ability to protect Hollywood movies and other copyrighted video content against copying to VCRs.

According to the Macrovision spokesman, "We believe all personal computer companies will want to incorporate this technology in their DVD-ROM-equipped PCs, paving the way for their products to play the widest possible range of DVD content available in the market."

"IBM's implementation of Macrovision's analog protection system reflects our commitment to protecting the copyrights of motion-picture content owners," said Dan Sullivan, Director of Licensing Development for the IBM Corporation. "We are also committed to working in concert with companies in the consumer electronics, computer, and media industries to further protect digital works."

Macrovision's analog copy-protection technology is included in DVD movie players as part of an integrated circuit that converts the digital video from the disc to the analog signal required by standard TV sets. Macrovision has licensed 37 companies worldwide to incorporate its copy-protection technology in their D/A semiconductor chips, including Analog Devices, Crystal Semiconductor, GEC Plessey, IBM, Mitsubishi Electric, and SGS Thomson. All major DVD-player manufacturers are including these integrated circuits in their DVD players. More than 70 DVD-player manufacturers and PC companies, including Intel, LG Electronics, Pioneer, Samsung, Thomson Consumer Electronics (makers of RCA, ProScan, and GE players), and Toshiba have agreed to include Macrovision-capable ICs in 100% of their DVD players.