What is HDCP

What is HDCP?

HDCP stands for High Bandwidth digitel Content Protocol and is a form of copy protection scheme to prevent the copying of the digital Video signal. HDCP enables a secure connection between devices before the signal is displayed.

If you cannot view high-definition video on your TV, most likely the source device is not HDCP compliant.

What are the different signal formats for digital TVs?

There are 18 standard digital TV signal formats. Each one provides a different picture quality. Digital TV formats are named using a number followed by either progressive (p) or interlaced (i). The letter refers to the way the TV uses the signals to create the picture:

• Progressive (p) scanning presents all the horizontal lines of the picture in one frame. This provides a sharper picture to the eye and looks much better than an interlaced image of the same resolution.
• Interlaced (i) means that the picture appears in two segments: every other horizontal line of the picture is displayed in one frame, and the other half of the horizontal lines are drawn in the next frame of the picture. This works because it happens so fast that the eye is deceived into believing that only one picture is being shown.

The number refers to the number of lines of resolution, and generally the higher the number, the better the picture. For example, with digital TV (DTV) there are two progressive formats for broadcasters to choose from: 480p and 720p. A 480p image is much sharper than a regular TV broadcast, although it is only considered a DTV signal and not a true high definition signal. 720p has 720 horizontal scan lines and is considered to be true HDTV. 720p can rival a 1080i picture, which is 1080 horizontal scan lines displayed as an interlaced image. This is because of the sharper and more accurate (progressive) 720p picture, even though 1080i picture has many more scan lines and a much higher resolution.

What is an aspect ratio?

The aspect ratio describes the relationship of screen width to screen height. Standard TV signals are based on the aspect ratio of 4:3 (4 units wide by 3 units high). HDTV signals are based on the aspect ratio of 16:9, making the image 33% wider than a normal TV and allows viewing TV and movies as if you were watching them in a theater.

In addition, many DVDs look better on the wide-screen display because most movies made in the last 50 years were filmed in an aspect ratio of either 1.85:1 (very close to 16:9, which is equal to 1.78:1) or 2.35:1 (even wider than 16:9).

Is HDMI backwards-compatible?

Yes. HDMI, as an evolving technology, has gone through several different versions. Each new version added different capabilities to the technology. For instance, HDMI 1.0 has a maximum screen resolution of 1920x1080p60, while HDMI 1.3b has a maximum resolution of 2560x1600p60.

HDMI 1.3b has all the capabilities of HDMI 1.0. However, if your home system is set up with an older version of HDMI, some of the newest options, such as Deep Color, may not be available on the system.

What kinds of HDMI and DVI connectors are there?

Both connector types have three different subtypes.

HDMI	DVI
Type A. HDMI connector with 19 pins	DVI-D. Conducts digital signals.
Type B. HDMI connector with 29 pins.	DVI-A. Conducts high-res analog signals.
Type C. HDMI connector with 19 pins, but with a much smaller connector head for portable devices.	DVI-I. Integrated DVI conducts both analog and digital signals.

Adapters exist to allow you to connect different HDMI connector types to each other, and different DVI connector types to each other. Your computer and home entertainment system may have different types of connections. Check the manufacturer's specifications for each system component to determine the types of connections and formats that are supported before purchasing any cables.

Figure 1: HDMI port and connector

What does HDCP mean in terms of HDMI and DVI?

High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) was designed to prevent the reproduction of copyrighted material. Most post-2005 high definition televisions and high definition DVD players are rated either DVI/HDCP or HDMI/HDCP. This means that they have DVI or HDMI ports for connecting to other pieces of equipment, and use HDCP to protect copyrighted content.

If your high definition monitor or television set receives any information from satellite or a high definition DVD that has been encoded for HDCP, but the HDMI or DVI cables bringing the signal through are not compatible with HDCP, signal might be downgraded when it is outputted to the screen. For instance, a high definition signal of 1080i will be automatically converted to 480i, so you won’t get the advantages of HD. In some extreme cases, you might not even see a picture at all.

What are the differences between standard DVD and high-definition DVD?

The main differences are:

1. High-definition DVD format can hold more than three times the capacity of traditional DVD format.
2. High-definition DVD format enables movie studios to develop menus and interactive content that can be accessed and used while the movie is playing.
3. High-definition DVD uses HDCP (HDCP High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) and AACS to protect movies from being copied. DVDs use CSS (Content Scramble System).
4. Over twice the display resolution. The following graphics are examples of the difference between the formats:

Figure 1: SDTV display area (25% actual size)

Figure 2: HDTV display area (25% actual size)

How can I view high-definition movies in high-definition?

Viewing commercial (protected) High-Definition Blu-Ray movies from a computer requires six main components:

NOTE:

Requirements for HD DVD also have 6 requirements but demand HD DVD compatibility in place of Blu-Ray compatibility.

• One monitor or HDTV that supports HDCP. Typically, TVs marketed as a High-definition TV support HDCP.
• A disc drive that supports Blu-Ray.
• One HDMI or DVI connection.
• A software movie player that supports Blu-Ray, such as "HP DVD Play BD".
• A Blu-Ray movie disc.
• An Internet connection (for AACS key renewal). Not needed for initial setup and viewing, but required for long-term viewing of high-definition DVD movies.

Once all of these components are connected and turned on, you should adjust the display resolution on the computer to match the best possible HDTV resolution on your display device - preferably 1080p or 1920x1080. If you cannot match the same supported display resolution between devices, find the next closest match using the advance display settings of your computer graphic hardware.

What kind of copy protection is used?

HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is a copyright protection method to prevent movies from being copied over the audio and video stream. HDCP encrypts content as it passes from the computer to the display (monitor or hdtv). To play High-Definition DVDs over a digital connection, you must view the High-Definition DVD movie on a display that is HDCP-enabled.

In order to protect the movie data from decryption, high-definition DVDs use Advanced Access Content System (AACS) keys. The software player will not be able to play protected content after the AACS keys have expired and been revoked. Renewal of AACS keys is easily done by opening the software used to play the high-definition DVD movies while the computer is connected to the Internet.

Error: The content is protected. The content is not allowed to play in current display mode.

High-definition DVD titles require special graphic cards and drivers. This error happens when the high-definition DVD player software does not recognize a compatible graphics card or driver on your system. This error can also happen when the display device does not support HDCP.

You can work around this error by lowering the display resolution to less than 480p (720x480). To view in high definition, make sure your display device supports HDCP. In some cases, this error may be resolved by updating drivers for your graphics card.

Advanced Access Content System Licensing Administrator, LLC (AACS LA), developer, proprietor and licensor of the Advanced Access Content System (AACS). AACS is an integrated set of technological protection measures that controls access to and prevents unauthorized copying of copyrighted motion pictures embodied on high definition DVDs