Content Protection Help?

packdat · 05-09-2012, 10:06 PM

I have a Direct TV HD-DVR in my bedroom hooked up via Component cables to an LCD TV. I also have an HDMI cable that I ran under the hall to my office where I have another LCD TV. I sometimes watch TV while I'm working in the office. The problem that has happened over the last couple of months is that the TV in the bedroom with the Component cables hooked to it, won't play a bunch of recorded movies or movie channels. It complains about content protection and that I should use component cables? Anyone know what or why this is and how I can fix it if possible? Thanks for all your help.

joed32 · 05-10-2012, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by packdat

I have a Direct TV HD-DVR in my bedroom hooked up via Component cables to an LCD TV. I also have an HDMI cable that I ran under the hall to my office where I have another LCD TV. I sometimes watch TV while I'm working in the office. The problem that has happened over the last couple of months is that the TV in the bedroom with the Component cables hooked to it, won't play a bunch of recorded movies or movie channels. It complains about content protection and that I should use component cables? Anyone know what or why this is and how I can fix it if possible? Thanks for all your help.

It's pretty dumb of HBO, etc. to implement it but it's looking for the other TV that is hooked up via HDMI. If that TV was on you wouldn't see that message. You could unplug the HDMI cable when your not using it or get an HDMI splitter and use that for both TVs. I know it's crazy but don't shoot the messenger.

RBTO · 05-10-2012, 08:08 AM

I know of at least one person that's dropped their HBO subscription over this. I assume it's driven by the content provider and Directv is just passing it along as content protection, but there are a lot of complaints over this implementation and what you're describing.

Directv receivers will block the component signal when HDMI is being used for some programming that is flagged - no idea of why this is advantageous to them. HBO is one of those.

texasbrit · 05-10-2012, 09:27 AM

It's the HDCP copyright protection requirement being forced on DirecTV (and everyone else) by HBO etc. If you have an active HDMI link, and you select an HDCP-protected channel, the DirecTV box tests the link to the TV to make sure it meets the HDCP requirement. If it does not, the DirecTV box shuts down the video outputs of the program and displays the message.
So, what happens when you switch the HDMI-protected TV "off". Well, you probably don't switch it off, it goes into standby. The TV keeps the HDMI connection "active", but it fails the HDCP compliance test so you see the message on the component-connected TV.
Solutions, as per joed's post. You can remove the HDMI cable when not in use, or just powering down the HDMI-connected TV would probably work, at least with some TVs (foot-operated or remote-operated power switch?). Or use a powered HDMI splitter, one that is HDCP compliant even if the connected TV is on standby.

Phil17108 · 12-10-2012, 03:50 PM

I am wondering if anyone has tried this work around. Use a Monoprice ID # 5971 HDC-320 YPbPr component + digital audio to hdmi converter using component splitters pulling the hdmi off the dvr and onto the converter to get around the HDCP. I do not want to replace a bunch of component cable in the walls and celling to watch HBO in my office. there are 3 sets, 2 on component one on hdmi running off an hr21 in a central location using RF remote and other then the HDCP stuff works great. I was just checking, Showtime does not have the HDCP message on it, are they doing it some other way. I would not bother with it but had the converter & splitters form a non hdmi set thats gone down the road. I think what I am trying to asked is Showtime not a premium.

quad4.0 · 12-11-2012, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasbrit

It's the HDCP copyright protection requirement being forced on DirecTV (and everyone else) by HBO etc. If you have an active HDMI link, and you select an HDCP-protected channel, the DirecTV box tests the link to the TV to make sure it meets the HDCP requirement. If it does not, the DirecTV box shuts down the video outputs of the program and displays the message.
So, what happens when you switch the HDMI-protected TV "off". Well, you probably don't switch it off, it goes into standby. The TV keeps the HDMI connection "active", but it fails the HDCP compliance test so you see the message on the component-connected TV.
Solutions, as per joed's post. You can remove the HDMI cable when not in use, or just powering down the HDMI-connected TV would probably work, at least with some TVs (foot-operated or remote-operated power switch?). Or use a powered HDMI splitter, one that is HDCP compliant even if the connected TV is on standby.

That was my solution, to employ a HDMI splitter and switch it before using another TV.

Phil17108 · 12-11-2012, 12:57 PM

Thats about what I did in the front only used a 4X2 hdmi switch from Monoprice.com to add a blue ray player.

05-09-2012, 10:06 PM	#1
packdat High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 36	Content Protection Help? I have a Direct TV HD-DVR in my bedroom hooked up via Component cables to an LCD TV. I also have an HDMI cable that I ran under the hall to my office where I have another LCD TV. I sometimes watch TV while I'm working in the office. The problem that has happened over the last couple of months is that the TV in the bedroom with the Component cables hooked to it, won't play a bunch of recorded movies or movie channels. It complains about content protection and that I should use component cables? Anyone know what or why this is and how I can fix it if possible? Thanks for all your help.

05-10-2012, 08:08 AM	#3
RBTO High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 388	I know of at least one person that's dropped their HBO subscription over this. I assume it's driven by the content provider and Directv is just passing it along as content protection, but there are a lot of complaints over this implementation and what you're describing. Directv receivers will block the component signal when HDMI is being used for some programming that is flagged - no idea of why this is advantageous to them. HBO is one of those. Last edited by RBTO; 05-10-2012 at 08:13 AM.

12-10-2012, 03:50 PM	#5
Phil17108 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 49	I am wondering if anyone has tried this work around. Use a Monoprice ID # 5971 HDC-320 YPbPr component + digital audio to hdmi converter using component splitters pulling the hdmi off the dvr and onto the converter to get around the HDCP. I do not want to replace a bunch of component cable in the walls and celling to watch HBO in my office. there are 3 sets, 2 on component one on hdmi running off an hr21 in a central location using RF remote and other then the HDCP stuff works great. I was just checking, Showtime does not have the HDCP message on it, are they doing it some other way. I would not bother with it but had the converter & splitters form a non hdmi set thats gone down the road. I think what I am trying to asked is Showtime not a premium. Last edited by Phil17108; 12-11-2012 at 10:45 AM.

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05-10-2012, 09:27 AM	#4
texasbrit High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,397	It's the HDCP copyright protection requirement being forced on DirecTV (and everyone else) by HBO etc. If you have an active HDMI link, and you select an HDCP-protected channel, the DirecTV box tests the link to the TV to make sure it meets the HDCP requirement. If it does not, the DirecTV box shuts down the video outputs of the program and displays the message. So, what happens when you switch the HDMI-protected TV "off". Well, you probably don't switch it off, it goes into standby. The TV keeps the HDMI connection "active", but it fails the HDCP compliance test so you see the message on the component-connected TV. Solutions, as per joed's post. You can remove the HDMI cable when not in use, or just powering down the HDMI-connected TV would probably work, at least with some TVs (foot-operated or remote-operated power switch?). Or use a powered HDMI splitter, one that is HDCP compliant even if the connected TV is on standby.

12-11-2012, 12:57 PM	#7
Phil17108 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 49	Thats about what I did in the front only used a 4X2 hdmi switch from Monoprice.com to add a blue ray player.