[JeffCGD]

This newer form of content playback control (HDCP) is applied ONLY to SOME newer movies purchased via the iTunes store. It does NOT apply system-wide or to all content. Content encoded with Apple's FairPlay DRM will still display via external outputs just fine (or as fine as before).

What has changed is that ONLY content that includes HDCP (High definition/bandwidth Copy Protection – designed to ensure content can't be duplicated on the way to the display) demands that all the connectors (compatible DVI, and most later HDMI ports), and the display itself (many HDMI compliant LCD & plasma TVs, and an increasing number of monitors), support HDCP in order for the content to be allowed to display. If any link in the display output chain is not compliant (eg any analog adapter or output, such as VGA), the content will not display.

This is NOT Apple's decision – it is a condition mandated by particular Movie Studios if Apple wants to have selected titles available.