U are confusing being an HDMI licensee and having product HDMI certification,
2 different things..
Having HDMI certification means that the product has been certified by the HDMI Testing Labs for HDMI compliance, HDCP standards and the most important point of HDMI component interoperability. Samsung
bypasses the HDMI certification tests to
save $ and time to market..
They do run some internal testing for interoperability but it is extremely limited... Cruise the various internet AV forums and U will easily find multiple complaints about Samsung and their lack of compatibility especially with other brands of HDMI components.
This site will give U more details..
Digital Content Protection
Note that the HDCP standards are very stringent were developed by Intel, the majority of Japanese brands have their products certified. Just trying to see what you are seeing..
Just my $0.02...