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FCC Allows Blocking of Television Receivers’ Component Video Outputs 

May 11, 2010 in News

The FCC took a huge step on Friday in allowing television service providers to turn off unprotected analog video outputs on the back of their set-top receivers. While the FCC says it will allow consumers to enjoy access to newly-released films and other content, the net effect will be that the movie and television industries, along with other content and service providers, will have unprecedented control over what content customers will have access to when using their home’s televisions and audio/video systems.

More information on this development can be found here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100507/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_fcc_movie_recordings

In exchange for allowing TV service providers to turn off their receivers’ component video outputs when broadcasting first-run movies, the FCC has paved the way for the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) to offer simultaneous release of movies in theaters and via cable & satellite TV, with safeguards in place to effectively eliminate pirating and re-distribution of stolen content. The FCC is limiting the duration a provider can engage in “Selective Output Control” (SOP), where only their receivers will output content via their HDMI port, to (90) days from a film’s release.  It left open the possibility that other kinds of content could be controlled in a similar manner but required a formal review and approval process before permission would be granted. As the FCC said that SOP was only granted because the offerings were part of a new and compelling service, it’s assumed that existing programming offerings would not allowable while new pay-per-view offerings, those that might otherwise not be broadcast to subscribers, would be considered.

While the FCC did turn down requests for more comprehensive control of content by the MPAA and providers, thus protecting owners of legacy, non-HDMI audio/video equipment, this decision is the “camel’s nose under the tent.” This is another nail in the coffin for analog high-definition video carried by component video cables from receivers to televisions and audio/video systems. Going forward, the only truly viable connection in home audio/video will be the High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port. This port is used to transmit digitally-encrypted audio and video content over a single connection. Interconnected devices actually negotiate their connection and limitations on the number and type of connections available are regulated by the source component, whether it’s a cable or satellite TV set-top box or videodisc player.

We are recommending that every customer interested in maintaining access to all of their television provider’s offerings contact us so we can discuss what products they should consider putting into place to bring their systems into compliance with these changes.

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