HDCP/HDMI

serpiroth · Feb 10, 2008

Hey, i am very confused about HDCP technology and the difference between HDMI, are they compatible with each other?

Thanks

goodswipe · Feb 11, 2008

HDCP is basically a form of digital copy protection. HDMI is a cable that carries a digital audio/video signal. An HDMI cable is used for transferring HDCP material. Think of HDCP as a door ok, it needs to be opened so that you can watch movies or any other copy protected material. Let's say you have an HD DVD player(uses HDCP to establish an encrypted digital connection)and you want to watch some movies on your HDTV. If your tv or displaying device isn't HDCP compliant, then the movies will not show up on your tv. Basically the door is shut, the material can't be transferred from the HD DVD player to your tv or you get a down converted signal.

HDCP = High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection
HDMI = High-Definition Multimedia Interface

Hope this has helped any...

serpiroth · Feb 11, 2008

OK so if a computer moniter says that it has a HDMI input, does it mean 100% that it is HDCP?

Thanks

tripplite · Feb 11, 2008

HDCP - HIGH-BANDWIDTH DIGITAL CONTENT PROTECTION

HDCP stands for High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection and was developed by Intel Corporation. Politics aside, HDCP is a technology embraced by the Motion Picture Association of America as it eliminates the reproduction of copyrighted material.

DVI - DIGITAL VISUAL INTERFACE

DVI was created by the Digital Display Working Group, and stands for Digital Visual Interface. It allows for a high speed uncompressed connection between a digital television, personal computer, and other DVI-based consumer electronics devices. The input is something like you’d find on the back of your computer. One big benefit of DVI is the uncompressed transfer of high definition video.

While you don’t see it when you receive HD programming, it goes through a conversion from the source to the set-top box to your screen. Usually, component cables are used to transfer the red-blue-green signal. The advantage of DVI is that it only requires one cable to transfer the red-blue-green signal, and the speed it transfers an image is significantly faster than the analog component cables, which benefits the overall viewing experience on DLP, Plasma, and LCD televisions.

Combined with HDCP, DVI was the standard for digital television until a few years ago when HDMI was introduced.

HDMI - HIGH-DEFINITION MULTIMEDIA INTERFACE

HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface, and like DVI, it allows for the uncompressed data transfer of video between a digital TV and HDMI-enabled consumer electronics devices. The big difference between HDMI and DVI is that HDMI transfers the video and audio signal. DVI only carries the video signal.

According to the HDMI’s official Web site, the advantages of HDMI are:

1) The highest quality video seen and audio heard
2) Fewer cables behind the TV means less mess and confusion-free connection
3) Automatically configures remote controls of devices connected by HDMI
4) Automatically adjusts video content to most effective format
5) HDMI is compatible with DVI, which means it will allow connection to PCs

Because it combines the audio and video signal, HDMI has tremendous support from the MPAA. It was created by some of the heavyweights in the consumer electronics industry - Hitachi, Matsushita, Philips, Silicon Image, Sony, Thomson, and Toshiba. The HDMI input is similar to a USB connector on a PC.

With a very simplistic understanding of the technology, it’s time to answer the original questions listed above:

If I purchase a new HDTV is it better to purchase one with DVI/HDCP?

Yes, you will want to purchase a television with DVI/HDCP or HDMI/HDCP. In my opinion, the best purchase option for a TV or any consumer electronics device (DVD player, DVR, set-top box) is one with HDMI/HDCP. DVI is an old format, and is secondary to HDMI. HDMI has room for growth, and because it has support from some of the major consumer electronics manufacturers, it’s hard to see it being replaced in the next decade or so. Regardless, buying a TV without either input would be a bad decision if you want to ensure usability of the TV a decade from now. Some televisions come with both inputs.

If I don't, how can it become DVI/HDCP-compliant?

Whether you have DVI or HDMI, there’s no way to convert the DVI or HDMI signal other than through a DVI or HDMI cable.

Some cable/satellite dealers have told me that a HDTV without DVI/HDCP is going to be useless in a year or two by around 2007 and unable to receive HD programming since those companies are probably heading in that direction. I want to purchase the right HDTV for the best viewing experience and one that will last me, at least, 7-10 years from now. Are these rumors true?
Click to expand...

hope that helped!

-tripplite

serpiroth · Feb 11, 2008

Ok from what i understood HDMI is the cord for HDCP so if it was a HDMI input it can play my PS3? can i get a confirmation on that?

Thanks everyone

gamename · Feb 12, 2008

if ur tv has a hdmi connection, then u can play ur ps3 on it.

serpiroth · Feb 12, 2008

ok thanks alot!

2colors · Feb 12, 2008

I thought I read somewhere that AnyDvdHd would get around the HDCP so I could watch HDDVD on my 24" HP monitor that is not HDCP compliant.

serpiroth · Feb 12, 2008

nah that is 2 expensive for what i want to do, but thanks

mickK · Feb 19, 2008

please note also that just because the device has a HDMI port it does not mean it has HDCP. unless it says it on the device or in the manual that it has HDCP

tripplite · Feb 19, 2008

HDCP is not going to make any difference in quality so i really dont care about it, you wont have compatibility issues with HDCP

serpiroth · Feb 19, 2008

copatibility issues is what i care about

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