AACS makes Blu-ray too expensive for small film makers
Posted on 11/07/08 09:37 by Jan Willem                             
AACS makes Blu-ray too expensive for small film makers

A simple 1000 disc production could already cost $8k for just disc production, according to an article on DVDA.org which explains all the fees that have to paid in order to even start producing Blu-ray.

In order for High Definition and Blu-ray to become a succes, content makers are essential. Besides big Hollywood studios there also many smaller independent content producers with low volume disc productions. For them Blu-ray might be just too expensive, mainly due to the obligated AACS copy protection on the discs.

Currently, if you even want to start replicating a Blu-ray disc you will have to pay AACS a one time content fee of $3000 to get you started. Then there is a fee per title of $1300 and another $0.04 per disc. Replication of the disc will set you back about $2 per single layer disc and then you just have a disc. Costs of editing and authoring etc. are not even in there. A calculation of the author of the article estimated about $13k for 1000 Blu-ray discs, which is a large amount of money for a small film maker.

Even if you were thinking to distribute your movies on recordable Blu-ray discs then you'll have to purchase BD-R discs, which are about $15-40 a disc currently, even more expensive.

An option would be to make AACS optional, it would certainly make it much cheaper, and who needs AACS on a large set of wedding videos?

 

 

Reactions
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By BitRate, Friday 11 July 2008 09:52

Well this just shows what an utter disgrace content control is and how it punishes the small studios. I say do away with DRM and give studios and consumers a fair go on fair use.

 

By Chuckwagon, Friday 11 July 2008 18:08

The best part is that they have to pay for a copy protection scheme that doesn't even work.  Hah hah, losers.

By Crabbyappleton, Friday 11 July 2008 19:33
Crabbyappleton

Notice that the AACS is "obligatory". Otherwise, the small fry could just put out their discs without any DRM. This is what content protection is all about- making more money - not stopping piracy. As already noted, the AACS system is broken...why should anyone be FORCED to pay for a broken protection? Can someone answer this?

 

I think it would be funny if some indy could sue if someone ripped their disc after paying out the ass for AACS.

By gamers (guest), Friday 11 July 2008 22:55

There are 9 million blu-ray player incl PS3 owners out there. Lets say 80% at least have 1 blu-ray movie. Do you think all of them care about AACS in their blu-ray disc? Combine all active members of cdfreaks, doom9, slysoft, avs and other "knowledgable" forums who knows how to "rip" blu-ray content and break the protection, will not even make 1% of total users out there. The truth is, BDA and Studios see us only as 1% of small "knowledgable" users and I don't think they see as as a threat.

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