How to Know When a Job Is Not for You
Thought all you needed to go a 4K TV working is HDMI ii.0? Guess again. The side by side generation of content protection is chosen HDCP two.ii, and not merely is it non backwards uniform, many new 4K devices don't even support it.
So it's possible that the 4K Television y'all bought terminal year, or even the receiver you buy this twelvemonth, might not exist able to receive/pass all hereafter 4K content.
Sound crazy? Sadly, information technology's not. Here'south the skinny.
What it is
Copy protection/content protection has been around since the VHS era, something anyone who tried to re-create a Blockbuster rental can tell you. Back and then it was called Macrovision, which evolved to CSS for DVD and finally HDCP, which stands for Loftier-bandwidth digital Content Protection, for Blu-ray players and HDTV devices like satellite and cable boxes.
HDCP ii.two is the latest evolution of copy protection. It's designed to create a secure connection between a source and a display. Ostensibly this is so you can't take the output from a source (a Blu-ray player, say) and plug it into some kind of recorder, to make a copy of the content. DRM, the encryption of the content itself, is a split issue. HDCP doesn't care what goes beyond the cable, as long equally that cablevision is secure.
Watch this: Ep. 1310: HDCP croaky similar a nut
Information technology does this past creating encrypted keys between the source and the display (called the sink). Enabled repeaters, like receivers, tin can be in the chain too. The source and the sink need to be in understanding, agreement their keys, or no content gets transferred. If you've ever hooked upward gear and gotten a blank screen (or turned on gear in the incorrect order and gotten a bare screen), this HDCP "handshake" is usually the issue.
HDCP isn't solely over HDMI. It tin can be implemented to work over DVI, DisplayPort, USB, and more.
So what's new? The encryption on the keys in version 2.2 is more advanced than previous versions which, in theory, makes the whole chain harder to break. One other interesting change with ii.2 is a "locality cheque." The source sends a indicate to the sink, and if the sink doesn't get that signal within 20ms, the source kills the connection. In theory, this shouldn't cause whatsoever issues in home setups, even over long HDMI runs (unless you have more than than 3,740 miles of cablevision).
This is near UltraHD 4K
You don't need to ditch your gear but even so. HDCP 2.2 is essentially about UltraHD 4K copy protection. So for now anyone with (or buying) a non-4K 1080p Television set doesn't demand to worry. In one case nosotros start seeing more widely available 4K content, it will be more of an issue.
Which leads u.s.a. to...
Your current gear is not 2.ii-upgradable, but that'due south probably OK
There's no firmware upgrade that will get 2.ii working on a non-2.2 product. At least, non on a product that wasn't designed with at least some idea about two.ii. For the time being, equally we've said, it's not a big deal if you're planning on sticking with 1080p.
Your current devices volition work fine with new HDCP 2.2 devices, presuming you're not trying to send content with 2.two. As in, your current Blu-ray player will send 1080p to a two.2-enabled receiver, or to a 4K TV, with no issues.
Wireless
Y'all may likewise "meet" HDCP 2.two in new wireless gear, like those with Miracast or WirelessHD. Since wireless 4K has only recently been announced at all, this isn't an firsthand issue. It's rubber to assume, though, that to become the content to and from the wireless transmitter and receivers, you lot'll still need HDCP 2.two on your receiver/source and display (and then the whole chain is ii.2).
What TVs?
The current ingather of 4K TVs from Samsung, LG, Panasonic, and Sony, etc. list HDCP 2.2 compliance in their specifications. This is a good sign. If yous have a 4K Tv already, or are looking at a non-tier ane brand, make sure yous scour the specs for HDCP 2.2. If it'south not two.2-compliant, you might be out of luck equally this new encryption is rolled out.
As in, if you bought one of the starting time 4K TVs, generally released in 2013, information technology may not work with whatever defended 4K content comes out in the near future.
Non Just TVs
The problem extends throughout the chain. Run your HDMI through a receiver or soundbar? They'll need to be HDCP 2.ii compliant every bit well. It's of import to note, there are many receivers shipping this yr that have HDMI 2.0, but are non HDCP two.2 compliant. That might be an result somewhen, as we've discussed.
To put it another way, all HDCP 2.two devices will have HDMI two.0, simply not all HDMI two.0 will accept HDCP 2.2. Very few receivers have ii.ii right now.
This is of import to consider, since most people hold on to receivers a lot longer than than any specific TV.
Resistance is Futile
In reality, HDCP 2.2 will be broken, just similar all its predecessors (including 2.0 and 2.i). Such is the nature of codes and codebreaking. Then why bother? To brand casual copying difficult, for 1, and to appease shareholders on the other. The motion picture manufacture is a big, publicly traded, business, and it'due south any CEO fiduciary responsibility to do everything they tin can to brand certain their product is as profitable every bit possible (i.east. not easily stolen).
The result, unfortunately, is a potential hassle for those of us not trying to steal content, and just trying to set up a new Telly.
For now, HDCP ii.2 is something to take in the back of your head, just not something worth worrying nigh. That is, unless you're planning on making the move to 4K, or ownership something that volition terminal a while, similar a receiver. Then information technology'south worth making certain information technology has HDCP ii.ii just to brand it equally "futureproof" every bit possible.
Got a question for Geoff? First, check out all the other articles he's written on topics like why all HDMI cables are the same, LED LCD vs. plasma, active versus passive 3D, and more. Notwithstanding have a question?Send him an e-mail! He won't tell you lot what Goggle box to buy, but he might use your alphabetic character in a future article. You can likewise send him a message on Twitter @TechWriterGeoff or Google+.
Source: https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/hdcp-2-2-what-you-need-to-know/
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