HDTV Television

Both Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs will be able to use audio watermarking to supplement existing copy-protection technology.

The Verance’s technology allows HD-DVD and Blu-ray layers to recognise and restrict the playback of discs that use watermarks taken from cinema prints and pre-recorded home video.

It works by embedding inaudible digital codes into the sound waveform, which can then be read by HD disc players to verify the content on which they are embedded. The watermarks also carry code that can be used to monitor and track distribution as well as control usage of content.

Warner Bros, the only major studio that’s currently releasing both Blu-ray and HD DVD titles, has lent its support to the new system. And Sony Pictures, Universal Studios and Microsoft have also licensed the technology. Sony hopes that it will reduce the distribution of movies recorded from cinema screens.