Looks like Sony listened to consumers. Woohoo. My HDTV with component in looks to be able to do full HD resolution from BD with no downsampling. From ars technical.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060314-6377.html
This *is* good news for us with older HD sets.
Mike

Bear in mind this only means that current release Sony Pictures movies will not implement downsampling without HDCP.

The hardware/software for setting a bit on the disc to force downsampling is still in the BD specifications, Sony just announced they wouldn't set the bits at this time.

Other studios may still do it, and Sony could change their minds at any time.

I'm still leery of the whole deal since the ICT is still sitting there ready to be used, but it is good to see one of the leaders (one might even say the central leader) in the Blu-ray camp taking this stance at format launch.

I agree with Gonk. The instant Sony thinks they can get away with it, they'll implement the ICT-enabled downsampling. Right now, they can't afford to make adoption THAT difficult because they don't want another betamax on their hands so they've softened their stance on downsampling, but clearly left the door open to implement it once they get their meathooks into the marketplace.

Cheers,