Blu-ray Disc players will not down-convert the analog output signal unless a video contains an ICT (Image Constraint Token), which is an AACS copy-protection system spec. The feature is not part of the Blu-ray spec. The ICT feature, and its consequent down-conversion, will be determined by whether each movie studio decides to include the ‘feature’ in their movie release, or not. Any movies with the ICT will have to be labeled on the cover, making them easy for you to avoid.

For more information-
http://www.great recrooms.com/tabid/78/articleT ype/ArticleView/articleId/82/B luray-Top-10-Questions.aspx

Answered by Nagendra , an ibibo Master, at 6:26 AM on August 26, 2008

No, Blu-ray players will not down-convert the analog output signal unless the video contains something called an Image Constraint Token (ICT). This feature is not part of the Blu-ray Disc spec, but of the AACS copy-protection system also adopted by HD-DVD. In the end it will be up to each movie studio to decide if they want to use this "feature" on their releases or not. The good news is that Sony, Disney, Fox, Paramount, MGM and Universal have already stated that they have no intention of using this feature. The other studios, which have yet to announce their plans, will most likely follow suit to avoid getting bad publicity. If any of the studios still decide to use ICT they will have to state this on the cover of their movies, so you should have no problem avoiding these titles.

Answered by Gyan Singh , an ibibo Master, at 6:10 PM on August 26, 2008

No, Blu-ray players will not down-convert the analog output signal unless the video contains something called an Image Constraint Token (ICT). This feature is not part of the Blu-ray Disc spec, but of the AACS copy-protection system also adopted by HD-DVD. In the end it will be up to each movie studio to decide if they want to use this "feature" on their releases or not. The good news is that Sony, Disney, Fox, Paramount, MGM and Universal have already stated that they have no intention of using this feature. The other studios, which have yet to announce their plans, will most likely follow suit to avoid getting bad publicity. If any of the studios still decide to use ICT they will have to state this on the cover of their movies, so you should have no problem avoiding these titles.

Answered by jaivir , an ibibo Master, at 7:17 PM on August 26, 2008

It's not implemented or possible until now. But it'll be. Advanced Access Content System (AACS) has negotiated a deal whereby hardware manufacturers are required to down-convert the analog output in Blu-ray players. Basically, the signal will be down-converted from the potential 1080i resolution to 960x540. While this 960x540 resolution is still better than current DVD-quality visuals, it is not utilizing the potential of full HD. Reports are indicating that this down-converting will prevent pirates from ripping and distributing that best possible picture quality. It is up to individual studios to decide whether or not they want to use this “feature.” The players will be required to recognize and respond to a digital flag, called an Image Constraint Token, inserted into the movie data. If the flag is set to “on,” the player must down-convert the analog signal. If set to “off,” the player can pass the full high-def signal over the analog connections. The studios are divided over whether to require such down-conversion and are likely to follow separate policies. Hardware makers had generally resisted the requirement, but under the new deal, ICT recognition will be included in the AACS license that all device makers and playback software vendors will have to sign. The effect, however, will be to deny those HDTV owners with analog-only sets the full capabilities of the new disc formats.

Answered by A.R. , an ibibo Master, at 8:49 AM on August 27, 2008

No, Blu-ray players will not down-convert the analog output signal unless the video contains something called an Image Constraint Token (ICT). This feature is not part of the Blu-ray Disc spec, but of the AACS copy-protection system also adopted by HD-DVD. In the end it will be up to each movie studio to decide if they want to use this "feature" on their releases or not. The good news is that Sony, Disney, Fox, Paramount, MGM and Universal have already stated that they have no intention of using this feature. The other studios, which have yet to announce their plans, will most likely follow suit to avoid getting bad publicity. If any of the studios still decide to use ICT they will have to state this on the cover of their movies, so you should have no problem avoiding these titles.

Answered by shaista , an ibibo Master, at 2:32 PM on August 29, 2008

o top this all off, Blu-Ray players are only available with full 1080p capability (some HD-DVD players are 1080i only), making them future proof (those el-cheapo WalMart HD-DVD players were 1080i). The media itself also has more storage space leading to lots of Blu-Ray titles carrying HDMI lossless audio while HD-DVD titles sometimes only carry compressed audio. The bitrate (read: picture quality) of a Blu-ray picture is also often marginally higher than that of HD-DVD. Blockbuster also only stocks Blu-Ray movies, no HD-DVD there either.

The sad thing is that HD-DVD is, as a format, more consumer-friendly than Blu-Ray as it's media carries no regional encoding (meaning you can buy an HD-DVD disc here in the UK, in France, in India, or in Japan and they will all play well on your player). In addition, the players themselves run for about half the cost of a comparable Blu-Ray player.

But what good is an HD-DVD player if you have no movies to play on it? My suggestion: the format war is over - if you've been waiting, feel free to go and buy yourself a Blu-Ray player (make sure it's "profile 2 compatible or upgradeable").

*By the way, the cheapest place I've found to buy Blu-Ray media is on Amazon . Sometimes they'll have 2 for 1 specials. There is also a great sale going on now here .

Answered by Sharad Singh , an ibibo Master, at 11:29 AM on August 30, 2008

No, Blu-ray players will not down-convert the analog output signal unless the video contains something called an Image Constraint Token (ICT). This feature is not part of the Blu-ray Disc spec, but of the AACS copy-protection system also adopted by HD-DVD. In the end it will be up to each movie studio to decide if they want to use this "feature" on their releases or not. The good news is that Sony, Disney, Fox, Paramount, MGM and Universal have already stated that they have no intention of using this feature. The other studios, which have yet to announce their plans, will most likely follow suit to avoid getting bad publicity. If any of the studios still decide to use ICT they will have to state this on the cover of their movies, so you should have no problem avoiding these titles.

Answered by Madhurima , an ibibo Master, at 2:17 PM on August 31, 2008