Expected result when sending 1080p over HDCP 2.2 infrastructure

[sphyre28]

Hello Everyone,

I have set up a system which used HDCP 2.2 and HDMI 2.0 compliant cables, HDMI extenders, and HDMI switches. Currently the projector is not HDCP 2.2 compliant. It is only capable of 1080p.

My expectation is that when I send 1080p content from a given source to the projector the content will still be displayed in 1080p but it only displays in 480p.

I have run a variety of tests to isolate the issue and checked on the configurations of the equipment. All are set to auto detect and the native resolution of the projector is 1080p.

When 1080p content is sent over an HDCP 2.2 compliant setup, what is the expected resolution of the output? If it is 1080p what configuration or hardware might I need to change?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Latent]

Don't think it is HDCP 2.2 causing the problems as this is only applied to 4k content I think. It is controlled by the source output device which you may want to try turning off 4k mode if it has one just in case. previous versions of HDCP like 2.1 may be the problem though. The best way to isolate your problem device in the chain is to remove/add them one by one. remove the source device from the rack and move it below the projector and connect it with a single HDMI cable. Once you get that going add switches and extenders into the chain one at a time. In a few minutes you will have found the problem device. Also you can try connecting a different older source device that has no HDCP 2.2 upgrade yet as well.

 

[sphyre28]

Thank you, Latent. Isolating each of the components in the chain seems to indicate that the projector is the issue. When we connect older, dimmer projectors, they display the 1080p content but when we use the newer and brighter one, nothing appears on the screen.

I find this same behavior regardless of the source - i.e. I have tried different laptops, setting the resolution to different values, different videos and pictures but to no avail.

Strangely though, if I bypass the new HDCP 2.2. compliant cabling and switching equipment and plug directly from the laptop to the projector the content is displayed correctly.

The native resolution on the newer, brighter projector is 1920 x 1080.

 

[Latent]

Would seem from what you are describing that it is a compatibility problem caused between both the new cables/switches and this new projector as the projector works fine connected direct to source. If you can you can try and test it with just the HDMI extender between source and projector and then just switches etc to find the connecting component that is the main problem.

You may have one of the devices in the chain that is the breaking HDCP 1.0/2.0/2.1/2.2 negotiation because of some design or physical fault. The older projector may be trying to negotiate and handshake and older HDCP protection system because of its age and this is not being blocked but the newer projects picks the one it knows about and when this fails the source is forced into low quality after the handshake fails.

If you can find the one device causing the compatibility problem then maybe you can query the supplier for assistance.

Edit: I'm not 100% sure but HDCP may have a system where the source and destination first handshake and agree on the highest HDCP standard they can both agree on and support. once they have done this they attempt to connect using that standard and if it fails they go to backup low quality mode. They may not then retry at lower standards that may work though the supplied cabling as this would reduce the security and allow attackers to put in a dodgy cable that reduces the protection and then attack the weaker standard.

 

[sphyre28]

Would seem from what you are describing that it is a compatibility problem caused between both the new cables/switches and this new projector as the projector works fine connected direct to source. If you can you can try and test it with just the HDMI extender between source and projector and then just switches etc to find the connecting component that is the main problem.

You may have one of the devices in the chain that is the breaking HDCP 1.0/2.0/2.1/2.2 negotiation because of some design or physical fault. The older projector may be trying to negotiate and handshake and older HDCP protection system because of its age and this is not being blocked but the newer projects picks the one it knows about and when this fails the source is forced into low quality after the handshake fails.

If you can find the one device causing the compatibility problem then maybe you can query the supplier for assistance.

Edit: I'm not 100% sure but HDCP may have a system where the source and destination first handshake and agree on the highest HDCP standard they can both agree on and support. once they have done this they attempt to connect using that standard and if it fails they go to backup low quality mode. They may not then retry at lower standards that may work though the supplied cabling as this would reduce the security and allow attackers to put in a dodgy cable that reduces the protection and then attack the weaker standard.

Thank you for the assistance, Latent, and sorry for the late reply. I tested each component in the system beginning with the video source and then moving one by one through each component. The only issue appeared to be the new projector. After review, we ordered another higher-spec'ed projector. It displayed the correct resolution immediately during the first and all subsequent tests.

The new system has been in production now for about three months and everyone is very happy with the results.

The problematic projector continues to work well in other settings so at least we are able to get good usage of it in other settings.

Thanks again!