Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Starhub's requirements not matching MDA's requirements for HD

I just want to post that Starhub's requirements do not match MDA's requirements for minimum requirements for HD-Ready displays.

See here: http://www.hdtv-trial.sg/faq.htm

Under point #7: http://www.hdtv-trial.sg/faq.htm (update 6Jul06 - they took out point #7 from the web. LOL)

7. What are the minimum requirements for “HD-Ready” displays?
7.1
The minimum native resolution of the display must be at least 720 physical lines in aspect ratio of 16:9. The display must be able to resolve either 720p, 1080i or 1080p.
7.2 The display device must accept HD input via:
Analogue Component Y-Pb-Pr, and/ or HDMI ( High Definition Multimedia Interface) or DVI ( Digital Visual Interface )
7.3 HD capable inputs must accept the following HD video formats:
- 1280 x 720 @ 50 Hz progressive ( “720p”)
- 1920 x 1080 @ 50 Hz interlace ( “1080i” )
7.4 The HDMI or DVI input must support content protection , HDCP ( High- Bandwidth Digital Content Protection System )

Point 7.4 is critical. STARHUB DOES NOT MENTION HDCP COMPLIANCE IN THEIR WEBBIE HERE: http://www.vocanic.net/hdtv/crs/edm/appendixA.html


MDA seems to require HDCP, but perhaps NOT NOW.

What they fail to state, is that if one uses Analogue Component, there is a big chance that the video will be downgraded from 720P to 480P. And they fail to tell us what happens if you connect the display to a non-HDCP DVI/HDMI port.

Rocket science it is, but these guys are rocket scientists, can't we have more clarification?

All in all, it is still worth to get the Starhub HD, because a component, DVI or HDMI interface is a big sight better than the composite connection offered by Starhub Digital Cable. But I think it is imperative that more details are given to the public - after all, this is a PAY trial, not a FREE trial.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

HDMI capable TV will normally means that it is capable of HDCP.

HDCP is embedded in the content, seems like the HD content of Starhub do not use HDCP as Digital Rights Management, this is quite unusual.

In the event that Starhub HD content do use HDCP, and the TV does not support, you will see nothing on the screen.

More info on HDCP http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDCP

Unknown said...

HDMI is merely an interface. Though in practice it includes HDCP, there is no logical link which necessitates HDMI to have HDCP. MDA has aleady said (refer to later blogpost in my blog) that HDCP will be in the commercial release.

It is not yet set in stone that HDCP to TVs which do not support HDCP, will result in blackout. In fact there are unverified reports which state that the absence of HDCP in TV will not affect resolution for a few more years.

wiki HDCP article, I know. I've integrated it with other information here: http://miketan.blogspot.com/2006/05/less-discussed-complications-of-hdmi.html