Why Can't DVD Upscale with component cables?

Question

Is there a specific reason as to why DVDs cannot be upscaled via component? I'm not a fan of the HDMI monpoly.

Answer 1

The only reason is the Manufacture rolled over for the studios.

All want to stop p****y, but at the expense of the consumer needing to change hardware, etc.. to make it happen.

Vote with your feet and don't bother with a device that limits your ability to watch content over a specific connection.

If enough people do this the higher ups will stop this nonsense.

Answer 2

Technically component can handle 1080p so it isn't a limitation of the cable. And there is not even an advantage staying digital (vs analog), both have issues and either can give better video than the other depending on video processing.

BUT, studios are concerned about pirating of copyright HD material so they developed (and government mandated) HDCP and HDMI. A fairly complex story -- I'd suggest you Google (good articles on Wikepedia) -- but the upshot is that it once HDCP (and other DRM mechanisms e.g. the Image Constraint Token (ICT)) are fully enabled (See more below) it will be unlawful (and possibly illegal) to output an HD signal other than over HDMI and between HDCP compliant devices.

A few older DVD players upscale over component but I don't think any recently introduced models do.

HDCP isn't fully implemented yet (due to concerns about cutting off HD to the high proportion of HDTVs without HDMI inputs and/or non-HDCP compliant), but when it is (probably by 2010 for HDTV broadcast) unless you connect HDCP compliant devices with and HDMI cable you won't get HD. If either device is non compliant HDMI will give no signal, and compliant or not, component will be downsampled to 540p or less.

To date HD disk manufacturers have not implemented the ICT, but once they do the same limitations will apply to HD programming from Blu-ray or HD DVD disks.

So ... as consumers we should be royally pissed about treated as criminals, particulalry given the extent to which all thes control mechansism decrease choices, force additional costs (don't you think hardware manufacturers love this ... look at all the upgrading of equipment that has to happen for people to enjoy HD), and -- all too often -- don't work (e.g. "handshake" failures, Blu-ray disks that won't play due to BD+ DRM) or at best slow down or degrade performance.

But ... yes ... there are specific reasons why DVDs can't be upscaled. Does it make sense, given that all upscaling does is marginally increase picture quality and can't be true HD? But then, studios will do almost anything to force us into re-buying movies.

Hope this clarifies things.

Answer 3

Upscaling is market hype, the reason you need HDMI is because you are being fooled into thinking upscaling works.  Technologically you could upscale to a certain degree using composite cables.

Why You Ask?

Because upscaling is accomplished by using a real time dither filter, this same filter is used to help low encoded MP4 look less pixelated (it smoothes out artifacts) this doesn't make the signal more crisp is just smoothes it out and its a scam if you ask me.  It is impossible to re-encode a source better then the original.

Answer 4

coz u didnt upscale ur TV

Answer 5

I am not sure what you mean "HDMI monopoly". There are Tons of manufacturers making HDMI cables. HDMI (and DVI) are the only way to keep people from pirating movies at top quality (without a computer though) Every new entertainment distribution vehicle has met with the same fight from Hollywood, then when they realize that some people are going to pirate and some people aren't, they give up. Heck they even fought audio cassettes. Notice that the music download industry is starting to release music without DRM now. Before too long they won't care and will start complaining about the next big thing.

Answer 6

I'm not a huge fan of the HDMI monopoly either as it's much easier for me to deal with component cables for both consumer and professional equipment.  Unfortunately manufacturers are not bothering to put upscaling Analog processors in DVD Players but opting for it on the Digital side (HDMI) as it's probably cheaper and consumers are led to believe that they need HDMI.   Retailer don't mind because they're enjoying huge profits on a $8 cable marking it up to $60 & higher!