AACS LA (Advanced Access Content System Licensing Administrator) Group is the name of the group working with developing the systems that handles the copy protection that will be used by both Blu-ray and HD DVD. Both next generation DVD format has been unable to move forward with its development before the specifications for this system was released. All players and units must namely be made with hardware keys that makes it possible for them to handle the copy protected material the right way. AACS has not come up with the final specifications for HD DVD and Blu-ray, but has now released v0.91 of AACS which among others contains the authentification keys needed in the hardware.
“Although licensing has officially started, operations are to start after President’s Day in the U.S. (20th Feb). According to industry sources, in maximum seven working days after the holiday, hardware makers will receive the required AACS keys. The implementation of the AACS keys in the hardware (drives) should also take less than a week. In approximately two weeks Blu-Ray drives should have working keys.”
Hopefully this means that Blu-ray and HD DVD is getting even closer to a launch, something we will follow closely here at NH.
Source: CDRInfo
