Starting in just 16 months, the Motion Picture Association of America will take a huge step toward controlling the way we can use our television sets. As of July 1, 2005, every TV sold in the United States will come equipped with an electronic circuit that will search incoming programs for a tiny electronic “flag.” If the flag is present, your TV will go into a special high-security mode and lock down its high-quality digital outputs. If you want to record a flagged program, you'll have to do so on analog tape or on a special low-resolution DVD. Any recording will be limited to analog-quality sound. This security measure is not designed to protect the television from viruses or computer hackers—it's designed to protect TV programs in ways that the entertainment industry doesn't like.