"Downresolution" ("downres") is the remote signaling of home devices by content providers or distributors, to degrade the signal quality of HDTV "Component Video" outputs on a program-by-program basis (so as to discourage marketing of HD-capable recorders with such Component Video inputs). These are the only HDTV inputs of approximately 5 million "HD-ready" televisions that have been sold to date. Application of "downres" to a signal would mean that a consumer who has purchased an HD-ready display, and pays for a set-top box or other device with an HDTV output, would not receive an HD-quality signal for those programs as to which "downres" has been triggered. Downres cuts both the horizontal and vertical resolution in half, resulting in a picture with 1/4 the pixels of a true HDTV program.

The FCC issued Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on October 9, 2003 Rule & Order, under the PlugNPlay docket, asking for comment on whether program providers should be allowed to force the "downresolution" of HDTV content delivered to the home, so that consumers who rely on set-top boxes would not receive HDTV displays of certain programs. HRRC advises consumers to contact the FCC to oppose all forms of "downres." On Feb 13 2004 HRRC urged the fcc not to approve downresolution in any circumstance.

"Downresolution" ("downres") is the remote signaling of home devices by content providers or distributors, to degrade the signal quality of HDTV "Component Video" outputs on a program-by-program basis (so as to discourage marketing of HD-capable recorders with such Component Video inputs). These are the only HDTV inputs of approximately 5 million "HD-ready" televisions that have been sold to date. Application of "downres" to a signal would mean that a consumer who has purchased an HD-ready display, and pays for a set-top box or other device with an HDTV output, would not receive an HD-quality signal for those programs as to which "downres" has been triggered. Downres cuts both the horizontal and vertical resolution in half, resulting in a picture with 1/4 the pixels of a true HDTV program.

The FCC also has not ruled out imposition of "Selectable Output Control," which would use similar signals to turn off even secure, digital interfaces at the whim of the content provider.