Why is 720p/1080i upsampling only done via HDMI?

[yukichigai]

My folks' DVD/VCR/DivX combo player has been acting up lately, so I've been looking into getting them a replacement. Most of the models I'm considering offer 720p or 1080i upsampling... but only via HDMI. (Their HDTV is YPbPr only) I remember that being the case since the feature started appearing in DVD and DivX players, but I'm honestly wondering: is there an actual, functional reason why it's limited to HDMI output? Is there something about component output that makes it difficult to upsample via it, or is this some sort of bizarre "force the consumer to use HDMI" crap on the part of manufacturers?

Also, anybody happen to know any decent, reasonably priced DVD/DivX combos that do the aforementioned upsampling via component? I remember there was one DVD player that did it back in the day, but it was around $500 or so. For that kind of money I could just build a DScaler box to do upsampling for me.

 

[Slammy1]

It's to stop consumers from outputting to a VCR to record copyrighted materials in a quality manner.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Slammy1
It's to stop consumers from outputting to a VCR to record copyrighted materials in a quality manner.

Yup

Thank Mr. Copy Protection for me

 

[yukichigai]

Originally posted by: Slammy1
It's to stop consumers from outputting to a VCR to record copyrighted materials in a quality manner.

That makes no sense. VCRs by definition record at 480i, period, and I know of several that will record 480i via component input just fine. The only "VCRs" I know of that would even be capable of recording high-def via component inputs are D-VHS and W-VHS units, and those formats were abandoned years ago.

Besides, if the goal was to stop people from recording "copyrighted materials in a quality manner" then progressive scan output would be nixed over component too, as that gives you the full resolution of the picture without any of the aliasing you get from upsampled video.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: yukichigai
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Slammy1
It's to stop consumers from outputting to a VCR to record copyrighted materials in a quality manner.</end quote></div>That makes no sense. VCRs by definition record at 480i, period, and I know of several that will record 480i via component input just fine. The only "VCRs" I know of that would even be capable of recording high-def via component inputs are D-VHS and W-VHS units, and those formats were abandoned years ago.

Besides, if the goal was to stop people from recording "copyrighted materials in a quality manner" then progressive scan output would be nixed over component too, as that gives you the full resolution of the picture without any of the aliasing you get from upsampled video.

The reason is copyright-related, and nothing else. There is no technical limitation to upconversion over component, and no reason why it can't be done other then copyright limitations.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: yukichigai
The only "VCRs" I know of that would even be capable of recording high-def via component inputs are D-VHS and W-VHS units, and those formats were abandoned years ago.

There are cards that can do it on your PC. You need a very high-end PC, but the cards themselves are only $350 or so.

 

[yukichigai]

Originally posted by: erwos
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: yukichigai
The only "VCRs" I know of that would even be capable of recording high-def via component inputs are D-VHS and W-VHS units, and those formats were abandoned years ago.</end quote></div>
There are cards that can do it on your PC. You need a very high-end PC, but the cards themselves are only $350 or so.

The cheapest card I have been able to find that records component input at any resolution above 480i runs for $1000. If you can show me otherwise... well actually, I'd jump up and down like a giddy schoolgirl and might even send you a cookie via FedEx or something, but as far as I know there's almost nothing out there that can record High-Def via component input in any truly consumer-usable format.

 

[erwos]

http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/

 

[montypythizzle]

Now where is my HDMI>component adapter??!?!?!?!

 

[yukichigai]

Originally posted by: erwos
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/

*squeals like a giddy schoolgirl*

PM me your addy and I will literally send you a cookie.

 

[Slammy1]

Originally posted by: yukichigai
<begin quote>That makes no sense. VCRs by definition record at 480i, period, and I know of several that will record 480i via component input just fine. The only "VCRs" I know of that would even be capable of recording high-def via component inputs are D-VHS and W-VHS units, and those formats were abandoned years ago.

Besides, if the goal was to stop people from recording "copyrighted materials in a quality manner" then progressive scan output would be nixed over component too, as that gives you the full resolution of the picture without any of the aliasing you get from upsampled video.</end quote>

DRM is a highly convoluted and confusing world my friend. It's like at work. I'm a scientist in the lab but you reach some level in management and their eyes gloss over when discussing issues even though the thrust of the company is what we do in the lab. So we have to explain things in small, easy to understand words to the decision-makers who tend to stick with issues they understand even if they do not resolve problems in production.

Look at the HDCP standard, which when (and if) enforced will only allow display over a digital connection. Does it make sense? We'll see when it's implemented. I think the end result is that people find other ways around the problems, some of which are more advanced than what the mfrs seek to protect themselves against.