New Geforce 7 series and HDCP

[amdnVuser]

I'm sorry to keep on the whole HDCP fiasco, but I could have sworn that I read somewhere that at least a few nVIDIA board partners were going to implement the HDCP encryption/decryption chips on the new 7900/7600 cards. However, after today's launch, I still don't see any mention of it on any of the board partners' Web sites (or nVIDIA's Web site) or in any of the reviews. I also see that ATI is still touting HDCP "readiness" with the X1800GTO as well. If I'm mistaken, please let me know. Otherwise, I guess I'll just keep putting off my GPU upgrade.

 

[BenSkywalker]

Sony is using nV chipsets with HDMI support in some of their laptops, that is it for now unfortunately.

 

[DeathReborn]

Sony do indeed have GeForce 7 OEM Cards WITH HDCP & HDMI fully supported (keys and all) but you can only get them as part of a system (desktop or HDMI in laptops).

 

[apoppin]

Is there any real need for HDCP yet?

i only thought it would only be really needed with Vista . . . next year

anyway, in related news:

See So i get a call from a LA Lawyer today . . . Would i like to sue ATi? for news and links on the ATi HDCP front [looks like they are getting sued]

 

[Wreckage]

Originally posted by: apoppin
Is there any real need for HDCP yet?

HD-DVD and Blu-ray are due out in the next month or two. While I have not heard any mention of a PC drive, it could make HDCP become more relevant before summer.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

i only skimmed over some of the 7900 articles but im sure i read the 7900's were HDCP and HDMI ready....(well have the means to be ready if the vendors chose to)

 

[amdnVuser]

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
i only skimmed over some of the 7900 articles but im sure i read the 7900's were HDCP and HDMI ready....(well have the means to be ready if the vendors chose to)

I don't doubt that they're "ready," but if look at the Web sites of the major board vendors (eVGA, BFG, XFX, Leadtek, PNY), none of them mention HDCP or HDMI (so I guess they decided not to implement the keys and all). Plus, the 4-pin audio connector that was seen on many pre-production 7900/7600 cards are not present on the retail cards. Oh well.

 

[DeathReborn]

Originally posted by: amdnVuser

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
i only skimmed over some of the 7900 articles but im sure i read the 7900's were HDCP and HDMI ready....(well have the means to be ready if the vendors chose to)

I don't doubt that they're "ready," but if look at the Web sites of the major board vendors (eVGA, BFG, XFX, Leadtek, PNY), none of them mention HDCP or HDMI (so I guess they decided not to implement the keys and all). Plus, the 4-pin audio connector that was seen on many pre-production 7900/7600 cards are not present on the retail cards. Oh well.

Those Pre-Production cards were based on the HDCP Reference Board which is optional over the standard Boards. It is up to the Manufacturer to choose which type to produce, nVidia provided the designs and the knowledge to do it and left it to the manufacturers to decide.

I'd like to see if any Manufacturer (eVGA, XFX, Albatron or PNY in particular) releases a Card using the HDCP Keys etc before I put my cash into G71.

 

[amdnVuser]

Originally posted by: DeathReborn

Originally posted by: amdnVuser

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
i only skimmed over some of the 7900 articles but im sure i read the 7900's were HDCP and HDMI ready....(well have the means to be ready if the vendors chose to)

I don't doubt that they're "ready," but if look at the Web sites of the major board vendors (eVGA, BFG, XFX, Leadtek, PNY), none of them mention HDCP or HDMI (so I guess they decided not to implement the keys and all). Plus, the 4-pin audio connector that was seen on many pre-production 7900/7600 cards are not present on the retail cards. Oh well.

Those Pre-Production cards were based on the HDCP Reference Board which is optional over the standard Boards. It is up to the Manufacturer to choose which type to produce, nVidia provided the designs and the knowledge to do it and left it to the manufacturers to decide.

I'd like to see if any Manufacturer (eVGA, XFX, Albatron or PNY in particular) releases a Card using the HDCP Keys etc before I put my cash into G71.

Yep, that's exactly what I'm saying (i.e. although I heard that some board partners were going to implement the HDCP reference boards, they chose no to do so). I'm with you on waiting to see if any manufacturer releases a card with the HDCP keys before shelling out $300+ for a 7900 series.

 

[Golgatha]

Originally posted by: amdnVuser

Originally posted by: DeathReborn

Originally posted by: amdnVuser

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
i only skimmed over some of the 7900 articles but im sure i read the 7900's were HDCP and HDMI ready....(well have the means to be ready if the vendors chose to)

I don't doubt that they're "ready," but if look at the Web sites of the major board vendors (eVGA, BFG, XFX, Leadtek, PNY), none of them mention HDCP or HDMI (so I guess they decided not to implement the keys and all). Plus, the 4-pin audio connector that was seen on many pre-production 7900/7600 cards are not present on the retail cards. Oh well.

Those Pre-Production cards were based on the HDCP Reference Board which is optional over the standard Boards. It is up to the Manufacturer to choose which type to produce, nVidia provided the designs and the knowledge to do it and left it to the manufacturers to decide.

I'd like to see if any Manufacturer (eVGA, XFX, Albatron or PNY in particular) releases a Card using the HDCP Keys etc before I put my cash into G71.

Yep, that's exactly what I'm saying (i.e. although I heard that some board partners were going to implement the HDCP reference boards, they chose no to do so). I'm with you on waiting to see if any manufacturer releases a card with the HDCP keys before shelling out $300+ for a 7900 series.

I don't plan to play HD movies on my computer and I'm not replacing my $500 Eizo CRT (hugs monitor) anyway. My computer with the (OMG it doesn't support the HDCP DRM!!!) 7900GTX in it serves up .ISO files that I mount on my HTPC over the network. These unencrypted files play with perfect video fidelity and 5.1 surround sound on my TV.

Only if managed copy becomes standard or HDCP isn't cracked within a year will I ever give a damn about having HDCP on a video card. By then I will have purchased a new video card anyway. I suppose if games start requiring HDCP, I would care then...enough to stop gaming and thus buying $500 video cards once or twice a year.

 

[amdnVuser]

I agree with Golgatha about getting really worried only if HDCP isn't cracked or if managed copy becomes standard. However, considering the effort that Hollywood and the TV networks are putting into this, I have a feeling that even if it is cracked, they'll introduce something else. For this same reason, I also have a feeling that managed copy will become standard. In terms of why...I don't have a clue because if history is any indication of what will happen, it's not like they or the audio recording industry went bust with VHS or audio tapes. And as far as I know, DVD's comprise the majority of Hollywood's income despite rampant piracy.

One thing I'm curious about is whether or not laptops will be provided an exemption since their displays don't use HDMI/DVI connectors. Does anyone have a clue?