The reported breaking of HD DVD's AACS (advanced access content system) encryption at the end of 2006, followed weeks later by a similar circumvention of the equivalent protection system used in Blu-ray Discs (BD) by anonymous programmer "muslix64" together with the current licensing issues associated with dual-format devices such as LG Electronics' Super Multi Blue products, may cause a delay in the establishment of a global blue-laser standard, either Blu-ray Disc or HD DVD or both, according to Taiwan optical disc drive (ODD) makers.
LG showcased a Super Multi Blue player, the BH100, and a Super Multi Blue burner, the GGW-H10N, at the 2007 international Consumer Electronics Show (CES). LG claimed the BH100 is the world's first dual-format device that can play back both BD and HD DVD movies, the Taiwan drive makers noted. The GGW-H10N can read BD discs, and write BD-R (write once) and BD-RE (rewritable) discs but can only read HD DVD discs, the sources added.
Because Super Multi Blue can only play back HD DVD movie discs and is unable to support all the interactive capabilities of HD DVD, LG has not obtained certification from the HD DVD group for the two models, the sources indicated. In addition, LG's offering of the two dual-format models has been criticized by members of the BD Association, the sources noted.
LG's frustration in boosting dual-format devices implies the competition between BD and HD DVD is still at a stalemate, the makers pointed out. In addition, the breaking of AACS will cause the BD and HD DVD groups to develop new rights management systems or upgrade the existing ones, which will push back hardware offerings, the sources said.
Story source:
digitimes.com.
