HDCP in receivers?

[htjunky]

hi guys, anyone know if current receivers will be able to pass an hdmi signal once HDCP is enforced? Every hdmi switching receiver that i have looked up doesn't seem to mention anything about being HDCP compliant. so before i buy one with hdmi switching i want to make sure hollywood is not going to black-out or down-rez my picture because my receiver is not compliant.

 

[corey]

If we could all "just say no" long enough, maybe they'd get the message.

 

[mfabien]

hi guys, anyone know if current receivers will be able to pass an hdmi signal once HDCP is enforced? Every hdmi switching receiver that i have looked up doesn't seem to mention anything about being HDCP compliant. so before i buy one with hdmi switching i want to make sure hollywood is not going to black-out or down-rez my picture because my receiver is not compliant.

There are no HDMI outputs or inputs on devices without the HDCP protocol.

When you say "once HDCP is enforced" you may be referring to flags rather then a device being compliant:

- To receive/transmit a signal with HDMI, there must be a handshake between the compliant sending device and the receiving device. The handshake involves a series of codes and the receiving device must be able to answer and provide its EDID (identification) code. Without the handshake there is no video/audio bitrate going through.

- Flags:

With HDTV: there could be a Broadcast Flag (one day, once, I believe, Congress legislates a green light to the FCC for OTA as well as cable/satellite) and under FCC rule, a broadcaster could give a 30 day advance notice of its intention to downrez the signal if the receiving/display devices are not compliant (HDMI/DVI HDCP)

For HD DVD and BR, movies may carry the ICT flag and if the player/receiver/display is not HDCP compliant, the resolution may be downrez to 540p (HD DVD player). The BR could downrez to 540p as well... if not, it will be 480p.

 

[BMXTRIX]

YES - A receiver with HDMI should be fully HDCP compliant. Many devices that connect to receivers do not properly identify the receiver as a HDMI repeater device and don't properly shake hands. See the 'cable boxes may not work with HDMI receivers' thread for more info. I know that cable boxes are particularly poor at sending HDMI through a receiver.

But, if you consider a receiver like the Yamaha 2600, it should pass HDMI w/HDCP perfectly.

 

[ironlung]

I know that cable boxes are particularly poor at sending HDMI through a receiver.

That's not a problem. There are DOZENS of actual HD sources for your viewing enjoyment other than a cable box.

Let me list them:
1)....?

Wait a minute...it'll come to me...

 

[BMXTRIX]

Harsh.

I personally am a fan of the Monoprice 5x1 HDMI switcher for under 150 bucks. I am not sure of anyone having serious issues with it and last years RX-V2500 plus the 5x1 HDMI switcher will leave you more cash in most people's pocket to upgrade other equipment. I know if I were going HDMI today I would get the Monoprice switcher.

 

[Cobalt Cable]

hi guys, anyone know if current receivers will be able to pass an hdmi signal once HDCP is enforced? Every hdmi switching receiver that i have looked up doesn't seem to mention anything about being HDCP compliant. so before i buy one with hdmi switching i want to make sure hollywood is not going to black-out or down-rez my picture because my receiver is not compliant.

There is also something else to keep in mind here, while in theory components with hdmi ports should be compatible. In the real world, it also depends which version of HDMI is installed on each components (DVD, Receiver, HDTV, etc...) firmware.

1.0 and 1.1 are audio/video compatible, 1.2 is not backwards compatible with 1.0, although there are some surround sound formats where 1.1 and 1.2 conflict. When the version don't match you will still get sound (although very crapy sound) but the video will either go in and out or not work at all. One of the many other reasons to hate HDMI

This issue usually only comes into play when one component is several years behind/ahead of the other.

 

[htjunky]

There are no HDMI outputs or inputs on devices without the HDCP protocol.

When you say "once HDCP is enforced" you may be referring to flags rather then a device being compliant:

- To receive/transmit a signal with HDMI, there must be a handshake between the compliant sending device and the receiving device. The handshake involves a series of codes and the receiving device must be able to answer and provide its EDID (identification) code. Without the handshake there is no video/audio bitrate going through.

- Flags:

With HDTV: there could be a Broadcast Flag (one day, once, I believe, Congress legislates a green light to the FCC for OTA as well as cable/satellite) and under FCC rule, a broadcaster could give a 30 day advance notice of its intention to downrez the signal if the receiving/display devices are not compliant (HDMI/DVI HDCP)

For HD DVD and BR, movies may carry the ICT flag and if the player/receiver/display is not HDCP compliant, the resolution may be downrez to 540p (HD DVD player). The BR could downrez to 540p as well... if not, it will be 480p.

I may be mistaken, but it seems HDCP is not always enforced, implemented or active e.g. Clint DeBoer states in his review of the OPPO player that it is "HDCP-free". What I don't understand is if a hdmi or dvi connection is supposed to make a handshake because of HDCP, then how does the OPPO transmit a digital signal without HDCP? Additionally, Gerry Block of IGNGear, wrote an article on how receivers with hdmi switching are not HDCP compliant. I wouldn't call Gerry a video or audio guru so I'm not basing my confusion solely on his article, but it did instill doubt in my mind. Plus all manufacturers that i've come across (like Gefen), will state that their products are HDCP compliant if indeed they are, as opposed to the receiver manufacturers that seem to omit such information. Then again I've only e-mailed Yamaha about this issue 3x's and they haven't responded yet. Anyways I kinda forgot what my point was, i'm just concerned about having a receiver go obselete on me when hollywood decides to enforce the flag. thanks for all the insightful and informative information guys.

 

[htjunky]

In response to your email: Yes, all current Yamaha a/v receivers with
HDMI connections are fully HDCP compliant and compatible. Thank you!
From Yamaha Representative.

Guess that answers my question!

 

[Audioholics]

e.g. Clint DeBoer states in his review of the [OPDV971H] OPPO player that it is "HDCP-free".

HDCP is not optional on HDMI, ergo (as far as I understand) HDMI cannot be licensed for a device without HDCP - legally speaking. The OPDV971H used a DVI-D output and could skirt the grey area I suppose.