I previously reported that Sony and MGM studios would not be using the Image Constraint Token (ICT) to down-rez HD movies played back on BD (Blu-ray Disc) players. The AACS standard allows studios leary of the analog outputs to cause the player to downrez the signal to a quarter of its original size, to 960 x 540. The ICT is what they would use on the disc to do this. But the ICT is optional - studios don’t have to use it. Sony/MGM previously said that they wouldn’t be using it, thus allowing full HD out of the analog component video outputs. This is great for owners of older sets, like my friend Joshua, who don’t have DVI/HDCP or HDMI inputs.

Now Dan Ramer is reporting that Fox, Buena Vista (Disney), and Paramount have all said they won’t be using ICT either. Now Warner Brothers is the only major BD supporting studio not to forgo the use of the ICT.

Mr. Ramer points out that the studios may be doing this because BD discs have another anti-piracy measure, BD Mark. That can still be used to determine if a disc has been illegally copied. And BD Mark is not something that the HD DVD format has, and that might be why no HD DVD supporting studios have forgone the use of ICT.

Interesting times.

DVDFILE.com - Analog Reprieve Grows