HTPC fans: Cyberlink's HD DVD / Blu-ray player now official

[Eug]

CyberLink Launches PowerDVD Ultra for Playback of HD DVDs and Blu-ray Discs

New features for PowerDVD Ultra include:

* Support for HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc playback on leading drives, including the Microsoft Xbox 360 HD DVD external drive

* Playback of high-definition Hollywood movie content

* Optimized performance for playback of high-definition video content on graphics cards featuring NVIDIA PureVideo, ATI Avivo, and Intel Clear Video technology

* Support for new next-generation disc features, like Picture-in-Picture movie mode, networking, interactive BD-J and iHD features, bookmarks, and advanced disc navigation

* High-definition audio with support for Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD technologies

* 6.1-channel surround sound, ensuring compatibility with home theater audio systems, and audio expansion of up to 8 channels

* Support for double-layer HD DVDs and Blu-ray Discs

* Conformance to the High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) specifications for the playback of premium content through DVI and HDMI connectors

* Support for BUS Protection ensures premium content protection via VGA systems.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

* Conformance to the High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) specifications for the playback of premium content through DVI and HDMI connectors

* Support for BUS Protection ensures premium content protection via VGA systems.

The key words there are Content Protection. That means video signals output in analog will be down-rezzed or shut off entirely. IMO, they can go screw themselves, as I'm still feeling the sting of DVDA/SACD. Yay progress :disgust:

 

[RebateMonger]

Wouldn't you need a HDCP-compliant video card (which, apparently, don't exist) in order to play back the content in Hi-Def?

 

[The Boston Dangler]

The video cards are pretty abundant now, but monitors are few.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler
The video cards are pretty abundant now, but monitors are few.

Yeah. I see that some working cards have been released now.
Nov. 2006: AnadTech HDCP Compatible Graphics Cards Roundup

 

[0roo0roo]

99 bucks is a bit steep for software player.