As most people have heard at this point, HD-DVD’s content protection (AACS) has been cracked. There is a 32-character hex key making it’s way to just about every website out there that will unlock any and all HD-DVDs currently available.
What does this mean exactly? Quite a few things.
First, it could mean the death of HD-DVD as we know it as there is little chance that the big name studios will be thrilled to know that the movies they are selling on HD-DVD are completely unprotected.
That being said, it could also go the other way. Think about it: you’re at Best Buy trying to decide which technology to buy into. On one side you have Blu-Ray which offers great quality and potential but is (at least for now) completely locked down with it’s extra layer of content protection. On the other side you have HD-DVD which also offers great quality but comes with a neat (unintended and definitely illegal) feature: you can make “backups.” Yes, with AACS cracked you can now make backups of the HD-DVD that you own. Personally, I’d choose HD-DVD for that feature alone. Factor in PS3 sucking (at the moment because of crappy games) and the choice is easy.
Definitely keep a look out for more info on this story. There is likely going to be a handful of press releases this week regarding the crack which may or may not be accompied by the crowning of the winner in the “Next-gen DVD war.”
Stay tuned.
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