DailyTech - The First True HDMI-HDCP Enabled ATI Video Card

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Hardware The First True HDMI-HDCP Enabled ATI Video Card
Tuan Nguyen (Blog) - February 23, 2006 3:01 AM

29 comment(s) - last by Goolic.. on Feb 25 at 8:25 PM

Silicon Image AACS key chip. The digital signal must pass through this chip to be encrypted before going over the DVI output

HDMI-enabled ATI based video cards on the way

Video protection standards seem to be in a bit of a confused state for just about everyone these days. Many protection schemes exist and while some are innovative for their purposes, they have all been bypassed at some point or another.

Today we have quick details on the first ATI based card to fully support HDMI-HDCP. The card itself is a PCI Express video card with a low profile design. It does not come with a DVI connector but instead has a fully functional HDMI connector that is capable of delivering a full HDCP encoded signal. There is a jack for SPDIF passthrough on the card in which all audio channels are routed through the HDMI interface. The card uses a special Silicon Image HDCP TMDS transmitter, which does the actual encoding and serving of the protected video signals.

Sapphire previously announced that it too has a HDMI compliant card in the works although no details were given on when such a product will ship.

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Is this1995?

By Aquila76 on 2/23/2006 9:04:42 AM , Rating: 2

Is that a RIBBON cable on the top of the card??? WTF?

RE: Is this1995?

By Bluestealth on 2/23/2006 12:09:39 PM , Rating: 2

Its a low profile card, in order to put the low profile bracket on that vga connector must be relocated/disconnected. Without that silly cable it couldn't conform to the standard without squeezing all 3 connectors on very tightly.

BTW couldnt you just have a hdmi > vga adapter or daisychain a hdmi > dvi > vga adapter :)

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RE: Is this1995?

By Missing Ghost on 2/23/2006 12:14:20 PM , Rating: 2

I know that dvi-i contains vga signals, but does HDMI contains them to?
Just making sure, maybe I'll want to use another port type in 10 years.

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RE: Is this1995?

By johnsonx on 2/23/2006 12:30:32 PM , Rating: 2

No, I don't think HDMI contains analog VGA signaling. It's just a different cable spec for DVI-D.

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RE: Is this1995?

By Bluestealth on 2/23/2006 1:51:59 PM , Rating: 2

Gotcha, just curious guess they are planning to kill off analog completely soon *evil grin

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NO Questions

By Bull Dog on 2/23/2006 3:13:40 AM , Rating: 2

Well at least there will be no questions that this [B]card[/B] is HDCP ready :)

RE: NO Questions

By Enoch2001 on 2/23/2006 7:50:52 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
...that this [B]card[/B] is HDCP ready :)

Awwwwwwww.... Heheheheh.. Try using next time. ;-)

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RE: NO Questions

By Enoch2001 on 2/23/2006 7:51:45 AM , Rating: 2

D'oh! I meant, try using "< b >" next time.

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RE: NO Questions

By Bull Dog on 2/23/2006 10:50:06 PM , Rating: 2

PSHAW! Missed that this place uses html rather than BB code. Fiddlesticks

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Why don't they cut this crap out?

By drebo on 2/24/2006 12:24:38 PM , Rating: 2

I don't understand why I can't just PLAY media that I buy anymore.

I don't need some "consumer's rights" organization telling me how, when, where, and on what equipment I can play my things.

If I buy a CD, DVD, record, whatever, I should be able to do with it what ever I want. If I want to throw it against a wall, by God, I should be able to. If I want to make a copy of it to listen to in my car, I should be able to. If I want to rip it to my computer so I can have a whole library of music or videos, I should freaking be able to. If I want to cut certain parts out or play it with a sepia overlay color mask, I should be able to.

Companies should not be telling me how to use my own media products. I, as a consumer, should be able to figure that out all on my own.

I think this is ludicrous.

RE: Why don't they cut this crap out?

By PLaYaHaTeD on 2/25/2006 7:56:04 PM , Rating: 3

Im so with you! The worst part is that many of the DT readers side with the companies who try everything they can to tie our hands behind our backs. Stand up for your rights, because when they are gone, it is infinitely harder to get them back!

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RE: Why don't they cut this crap out?

By Goolic on 2/25/2006 8:25:35 PM , Rating: 2

Companies are afraid of loosing their content. My opnion is that they shold open them, and seek for the most efecient distribution method, this way them can charge very liyhe (say 5 dollars ? maybe less) have a hight profit and pay artistis rights !

I prefer to BUY original not pirated content. BUT in Brazil we just cant buy with the current price ! every year the price increases becouse whe buy less original, but i dont know anyone ho prefers pirated content its just a LOT cheaper about 4-7 depending the media !

Sorry by the lack of fluency!

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But no DVI!

By chilled on 2/23/2006 4:11:56 AM , Rating: 2

Yes, but there will be some on whether it can support a DVI signal.

RE: But no DVI!

By Sumanji on 2/23/2006 4:44:45 AM , Rating: 2

It has a HDMI connector at the bottom though, so could you just use a HDMI->DVI cable?

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RE: But no DVI!

By squeezee on 2/23/2006 5:46:35 AM , Rating: 2

Indeed there should be little problem using an HDMI->DVI cable/adaptor. More products like this should definitely satisfy those looking to put together an HTPC.

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So uhh...

By CaptainSpectacular on 2/23/2006 7:43:47 AM , Rating: 2

What model is this? What are the rest of the specs? Are those two HDMI connectors onboard?

RE: So uhh...

By DigitalFreak on 2/23/2006 8:18:14 AM , Rating: 2

Looks like a VGA connector, along with a connector for a breakout S-video / component cable.

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RE: So uhh...

By Chuckles on 2/23/2006 10:32:56 AM , Rating: 2

Top port (with ribbon cable) is a classic 15-pin VGA port, middle port looks like an S-Video, and the lower port looks like an HDMI port.

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Too funny...

By FoxFour on 2/23/2006 9:55:44 AM , Rating: 2

I'm getting a real chuckle out of the sudden announcement of a fully HDCP-capable card from ATI just one week after they claimed it was impossible due to the incomplete encryption specification.

Seriously, ATI, at least try for a little consistency in your lies and half-truths!

RE: Too funny...

By mircea on 2/23/2006 11:32:45 AM , Rating: 2

I was just thinking about this.

So now people can and should sue ATI and PCB makers over the cards reported as HDCP ready. I mean if this new one is ready and those early models are ready why is it that the first batch are not really ready. No way you turn it can explain the box advertisments. They should learn not to advertise and capitalize on half-information. Yeah the GPU would be capable but that doesn't mean it's there.

It's like selling a car with the claim that it can go 210 MPH even though the car can't get past the 90MPH. The engine is the same on a sports car but on this one is limited.

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RE: Too funny...

By Questar on 2/23/2006 12:58:24 PM , Rating: 2

Nowhere in the article does it say that ATI has announced this product.

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What a joke

By Alphafox78 on 2/23/2006 1:57:54 PM , Rating: 2

I cant honestly see either HD-DVD or blueray taking off if they can only be played with new tvs containing these ports. 97% of the HD TVs out there dont have these ports. you have to have a HDMI port to play high def content, right? the adapters that go from HDMI to DVI will just play in 480P if I understand correctly as they cant encrypt the signal.

RE: What a joke

By mattias on 2/23/2006 2:25:26 PM , Rating: 2

Someone remind me, why do I want to pass encoded video and encoded audio through my expensive HTPC if I can't modify the stream at all? What's the point? No video in a window, no audio eq, no audio mixing...

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RE: What a joke

By mattias on 2/23/2006 2:28:32 PM , Rating: 2

Our software players won't even be able to overlay text or symbols?

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Looks like an add-on card to go with your existing uber fast card

By aguilpa1 on 2/23/2006 9:02:16 AM , Rating: 2

would not be the first time ATI has done a dedicated card, otherwise they would have incorporated all the HDMI...junk on their new AIW, right.

More information

By THEREALJMAN73 on 2/23/2006 9:35:23 AM , Rating: 2

Is there any place we can find out more about this card? I cannot find anything on ATI.com.

Silly question

By tjr508 on 2/23/2006 5:25:34 PM , Rating: 2

Does the HDMI interface carry all the VGA pins that were incorperated into most DVI connectors? Is it really not to far in the future that we see video cards for sale without DACs?

Digital Rights Management

By zeppelinrox on 2/24/2006 12:04:35 PM , Rating: 2

Former Apple man calls for HD and Blu-Ray boycott.

quote:
THE MAN responsible for Apple’s Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, and iDVD products, Mike Evangelist has called for a boycott of the HD standard.

"Both HD-DVD and Blu-ray have embraced this draconian system, and the studios are salivating at the prospect of you never actually being able to own content again. My reaction to this abomination is simple: no way in hell. I will not buy any product that uses this crap," he said.

from http://theinquirer.net/?article=29886
his actual site: http://writersblocklive.com/part-156

maybe this is why ATI has not been quick to implement it. Maybe they are against it?
After all, it just cripples the whole process.