That's Why They're Called RCA Plugs

Todd Chanko | September 27, 2004, 09:40 AM

Roll Over Janus, Tell Bill Gates the News...the folks that created the lowly RCA plug - or at least the brand that did - have announced an answer to Janus Portable Media Centers (PMCs). The RCA Lyra Audio/Video Jukebox. Just plug into your TV via the venerable eponymous plugs and presto! Instant portable video. No need to go to messy websites for downloading - why go to CinemaNow when you can go right to Turner Movie Classics or HBO? It has line-in and line-out. No DRM - though press release makes passing mention of respect for "analog copy protection signals from pre-recorded media." So you can't in all likelihood copy your latest DVD to the device. But so what? Think of what you can copy.

RCA may have something here, to the extent that there is demand for hand-held video. I do still have my doubts about that. However, at least they understand that consumers want accessibility and options - not the hemmed-in limitations of Janus-based PMCs. For all you out there that think I'm referring to mythology, Janus is the latest incarnation of Windows Digital Rights Management. It features a secure clock - meaning that the meter is running on your digital content. RCA realizes that consumers are likely to balk at such restrictions.

I wish them luck. The content owners are going to go crazy with this one - just like they did over twenty-five years ago with VCRs. Wanna bet they'll be on the wrong side - again?