The PC Lock-Down Begins

While the broadcast flag regime is scrutinized in court, the lock down of digital content and the personal computer continues. Silicon Image introduced the industry's (self-proclaimed) first High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) transmitters for desktop and notebook PC applications yesterday, described as "the first integrated solutions designed to interface directly to the video and audio interfaces of PC platforms for seamless connectivity." [press release]

Based on High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) the HDMI is set to provide a secure connection between the graphic card and motherboard and the display. Silicon Image states that "HDMI is poised to emerge as the defacto multimedia interface for both PCs and consumer electronics devices. [...] We expect HDCP will [...] become a requirement on PC platforms capable of receiving and playing HD content". That is broadcasted signals, cable, the future BluRay and/or HD-DVD discs, and anything else that needs to be kept away from (copying) users and the internet. As an integrate part of the envisioned (future) Home Media Center the open architecture of the PC is locked-down. Convergence = copy control.