Microsoft Vista features a new system wide content protection scheme called PVP-OPM (Protected Video Path Output Protection Management). As per PC World, Microsoft Vista’s content protection will block or blur the HD movies on today’s monitors.
Forthcoming Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs which promise high resolution than standard DVD’s, will be protected from pirating using a scheme known as AACS (Advanced Access Control System). According to Microsoft, PPVP-OPM will prevent pirates from attaching recording devices directly to PC graphics card DVI or HDMI video outputs in order to capture a digital copy of the disc. Also, PVP-UAB (Protected Video Path User-Accessible Bus) will prevent computer owners from installing data capture cards in order to grab HD movies straight off the PCI express bus.
But wondering what I need to do if I want to rip or copy my own movies ? May be the PVP-OPM will work only for encrypted copies, and was done from Blu-Ray or HD-DVD discs by default when movie makers releases a DVD. In a side note, it seems one may not able to able to watch HD-DVD or Blu-ray discs on current monitors, and need to have HDCP-compliant display monitors to do the job. This could be a costly upgrade. So, better I will hold the plan of buying a new 19″ LCD monitor for time being.