Recently, it seems, an update to Apple computers with a DisplayPort or Mini DisplayPort interface (that’s MacBook, MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, Imac, and Mac Pro machines) has caused HDCP to activate whenever the devices are connected to an HDCP compatible device.
What this means, for example, is that if you connect a MacBook Pro to a D/A (splitter) that supports HDCP, the copy protection standard will activate. Which is fine – as long as everything else in the chain also supports HDCP. In many cases, devices after the D/A will include things like Barco Encore or ScreenPRO II devices – which do not support HDCP – and will therefore see sync, but a black screen, or sometimes a ‘snow’ effect (a result of the raw encrypted signal).
I you connect a Mac using a DisplayPort to DVI adaptor to a device that does not support HDCP – for instance, directly into the background input of a ScreenPRO II, or into an ImagePRO HD, HDCP will not activate from the Mac, and the signal will flow through correctly.
HDCP is designed to prevent piracy – if you wish to play back a Blu-ray disc or copy-protected movie, the player (or computer) that it is connected to must support HDCP, and each display device connected to the player (or computer) must either also support HDCP, or be disabled. This is inherent to the HDCP (and DisplayPort) specification, and cannot be circumvented under license. HOWEVER, as Apple has done – they can prevent Blu-ray or copy-protected movies from playing back when non-compliant hardware is connected, but still allow that hardware to display other content (for example, a Keynote presentation).
At this stage, the Apple hardware is a little too smart for its own good – choosing to activate or disable HDCP depending on the first device connected to the Mac being either HDCP compliant or not. What we really need is a work-around to disable HDCP support on demand, which will mean we can connect it to an HDCP compliant D/A (or a unit like the Barco DCS-200), and still support other equipment further down-stream which is not HDCP compliant – in exchange for disabling playback of Blu-ray discs or copy-protected movies (which is typically fine for AV applications).
Work-around: For the time being, a slightly expensive work-around is to connect the Mac to an ImagePRO HD, and then take either/or both the DVI out, and DVI loop-out ports to connect to other equipment (HDCP compliant or not).
If anyone comes across a ‘hack’ for OS X or new Apple hardware that will disable HDCP support for the sake of connecting to AV equipment (and also maintains legitimacy by disabling Blu-ray and copy-protected movie playback), we’d all be grateful if you could leave a comment here or let us know so we can spread the word!
#1 by Andrew Nixon on April 29, 2010 - 1:41 am
Yep, we’re having exactly the same issue, we use TV-One 750 switchers which are ace, but are HDCP compliant, and this kicks in if we take VGA out of the switcher (to the beamers etc).
Very annoying.
Workaround we use is to run the signal from the MacbookPro into a VGA distro amp first, then out to the switcher – this gets round it but isn’t very elegant when we were just after a nice simple, portable set up…
If any one hears of a work around I’d be very interested!
#2 by Wayne on June 2, 2010 - 8:25 pm
We have tried devices with hdcp, plugged them into an image pro HD. We still have issues. picture doesn’t come through.
#3 by Nicolas Martineau on June 19, 2010 - 4:46 am
I had this issue with some DVI DA`s and Scalers. One trick that worked for me was to put a “Gefen DVI Detective” at the computer`s output. Of course It will work as long as the content you want to show is not protected…
Not only It will tricks the graphic card and the OS with the EDID of a monitor, it will disable the HDCP right at the source.
In some cases, I even use it to power long DVI fiber extensions as the MacBook Pro seems to have issues with some brand. It`s really a lifesaver, it certainly worth the 80USD.
Here is the link:
http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=4714
Please note that the “DVI Detective Plus” won`t work because it has a “HDCP pass-through” feature.
#4 by Steve Wylie on June 19, 2010 - 5:12 pm
Thanks for the comment Nicolas!
I’ve also since had success using the DVI Detectives to circumvent this issue.
#5 by Sal on July 25, 2010 - 7:45 am
The workaround is to stop buying this crap.
#6 by Nick on November 9, 2010 - 9:49 am
I have found that using a cheapo dvi over utp (non-hdcp) does the trick. The extender tells the mac it isnt hdcp compliant so the mac doesnt send hdcp handhake. Then connect the dvi extender reciever end into the display. Works perfectly.
I used the cheap $28 iogear extender off amazon.com.
good luck.
Oh, also, I found that using windows via bootcamp on the same laptop does not present any hdcp issues either.
#7 by Rob Duncan on December 16, 2010 - 5:57 am
Thanks for the succinct summary of what’s happening.
I’ve experienced similar issues with the Analog Way iX series too, though occasionally I can use input 3 and 4 while 1 and 2 will give me a HDCP error.
The Diventix will pop up a message on the laptop console telling the operator that it won’t play HDCP-enabled content.
I have a question about the Geffen EDID locker mention in post #3. When outputting a TripleHead2Go unit from a MacPro into a (Magenta Research) Cat5 transmitter, the TripleHead won’t always recognize the transmitter as a destination, and does not correctly output signal.
Would this Gefen box help lock the TripleHead into a consistent state? I currently have to patch each output into a real monitor, have it sync, then hot-patch into the Magenta… not a show-safe or elegant solution.
#8 by David M. Cotter on December 18, 2010 - 9:39 am
the original “work around” was “connect the Mac to an ImagePRO”, do you mean that i can then have my mac output the digial 1080i/p, (over DVI-D, which has the HDCP signal) and the ImagePRO will strip the HDCP signal, allowing me to convert said signal to analog, at full 1080i/p?
or: from Andrew: “run the signal from the MacbookPro into a VGA distro amp”, same question: full 1080i/p? does this “vga distro amp” have a digital input, like DVI-D or HDMI? and it strips the HDCP?
or: from Nicolas: “it will disable the HDCP right at the source”, does that mean the only signal allowed thru is 720i/p?
or: from Nick: “using a cheapo dvi over utp (non-hdcp) does the trick” again do you mean no 1080 is allowed?
My point is: i have a digital signal (DVI-D or HDMI) from my mac, and my TV only accepts analog component. can anyone do this conversion or have i been squeezed out?
#9 by David M. Cotter on December 22, 2010 - 6:01 pm
hello?
#10 by Josh Lewis on January 6, 2011 - 7:40 am
I have seen a few mentions over at creativecow.net that seem to point to the HD Fury. It will convert HDCP encoded HDMI to VGA (or 5-wire RGBHV). I have not tried this product.
Josh
#11 by David M. Cotter on February 22, 2011 - 6:45 am
I got the HDFuryII and it works awesomely. I can now plug my modern mac into my component HDTV at 1080i
#12 by Curtis Matthew on May 27, 2011 - 10:44 pm
I am not familiar with term but I think it has something to do with my computer. I had found also some links that related to that issued. But because of your post, I got a little bit idea about it.
Curtis Matthew
Webmaster, mentalismsecretsrevealed.com
“mentalism
“
#13 by Tom on June 17, 2011 - 3:55 am
Just ran into this yesterday using an Extron HDCP compliant router and Screen-PRO II units. Running into an Image PRO HD first is a very expensive solution, and you would have to take the scaled out, not the loop out. If you plug an HDCP monitor into the looped out you have the same problem. Also, when the MAC saw the Image PRO HD first it wouldn’t allow a 1920 x 1080 resolution, only 720p. The DVI detective is the best route. Those things can really be helpful.
#14 by Nathan Self on July 23, 2011 - 12:15 am
I am working with the TVOne scaler760 and I had the same issues, I went into the scaler using CorioTools and turned off HDCP, saved the settings, then did a hard reboot. Worked fine…
#15 by erica on July 28, 2011 - 12:13 am
The DVI Detective should help with the TH2G issue Rob. The tripleHead is probably looking for an EDID signal telling it what resolutions and refresh rates it can send. As an EDID emulator, the DVI Detective will help your tripleHead think there is a monitor or device attached by supplying the EDID information that is may be looking for.
Another elegant solution is a DVI Parrot. It is also an EDID emulator that doesn’t require an external power supply and can be programmed with any resolution to trick your tripleHead to thinking there is something on the output.