HDCP is an anti-piracy protocol made into the HDMI cable standard. But you will not get the proper viewing experience when HDCP Authentication Failure occurs. So let’s know how it works, why it breaks your television, and how to fix it.
What is HDCP?
HDCP stands for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection. It is another form of DRM, Digital Rights Management. These are designed to secure content creators and distributors against piracy.
Different companies use different protocols. But this management locks the purchases made by you and your devices. So, for example, if you buy a movie on iTunes but can play it merely on devices, it means you are experiencing DRM.
It protects content creators and distributors because making and distributing content is costly. But this management creates life harder for honest paying consumers. Sometimes it breaks the experience. For example, you can find such issues running into games that need authorization servers to run.
The HDMI standard and digital video can cause headaches for regular old consumers. As a senior consumer, you can encounter a problem while watching television and engaging in other legitimate activities.
Intel developed the High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection. Not only does HDMI uses it, but different digital video standards like DisplayPort and Digital Visual Interface (DVI) also use it. Moreover, this protocol can offer an encrypted connection between a content outputting device on one end and a receiving device on the other end. Hence, you can use a Blu-ray player, cable box, or streaming device. On the other hand, HDTV or audio-video receivers are a few examples of receiving devices.
You can find the protocol used in Blu-ray players, cable boxes, and satellite TV receivers. In addition, it supports streaming video devices like Roku, Chromecast, and Amazon Fire TV. Moreover, you can find it on laptops, computer hardware, DVRs, and other modern HDMI devices.
DRM Protocol:
Digital Rights Management is a process to secure digital content to prevent unauthorized use and piracy. Remember that you need this protocol for multiple streaming video platforms because more premium content is offered through the public Internet.
How Does HDCP Work?
It works through three primary methods.
Authentication: This step ensures both sink and source are HDCP-compliant and authentic devices.
Data Encryption: It encrypts the data before transmitting it through a wire.
Key Revocation: It informs you which devices are compromised. Thus, it can revoke the keys or permissions to transmit or accept its content.
These steps enable you to keep the content protected while transmitting from one device to another.
HDCP Function:
This copy-protection scheme doesn’t allow you to capture digital content from the source to the Display. Instead, it enables you to secure digital signals using a Digital Video Interface (DVI) and High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI).
Causes of HDCP Authentication Failure:
DRM does not allow you to share downloaded movies from iTunes. Devices which support the protocol only work when other wires and devices within the setup are also compliant with it. According to the theory, it is impossible to insert another recording gadget between the Blu-ray player, or Chromecast to produce an illicit copy of the content.
If a wire is not HDCP compliant, you might encounter a problem. However, it is valid for cable boxes, the Roku Streaming Stick, audio-video receivers, and other modern high-def devices or players interfacing with such devices.
Where HDCP Breaks Down:
It comes with a licensing body issuing licenses for supported devices. Every device, like a Blu-ray player or Xbox, comes with a license. Besides, it can talk to the receiving device on the other end of the HDMI wire.
While the procedure happens, it happens within a thousandth of a second. As a result, you might not notice it. Turning on a Blu-ray player or DVR will make your HDTV well. But you never know what it is.
A host of situations exist where the protocol gets in the way of consumers doing legal things with devices and content. Whether any device is not compliant, the video stream will fail.
Suppose you use an older HDTV set that does not support the protocol. As a result, watching any content on it is impossible. While you connect your HDCP-compliant device to a non-compliant device, you can find a blank screen or a flash of an error message like “ERROR: NON-HDCP OUTPUT,” “HDCP unauthorized,” or simply “HDCP ERROR.”
Protocol Issues:
Are you willing to turn that old monitor with integrated speakers into a cheap little video box with a Chromecast? But an old monitor is incompatible, though it comes with an HDMI port. You cannot stream anything unless you are willing to dedicate an entire computer to the project.
Do you prefer recording video game sessions or streaming them live? In this regard, you should know that console makers can recognize it more regarding recording & streaming content. But the protocol can cause problems. Hence, an excellent example of the error is the Sony Playstation lineup. Sony released an update for PS4 offering the protocol in 2014 during playing games. But the same update is unavailable for the PS3. The protocol output is locked at the chip level in the PS3. Hence, you can purchase a capture device compatible with component cables & uses those rather than HDMI.
You can find the protocol annoying even while not watching television or gaming. Do you know what it does allow you to capture? You cannot capture the on-screen menus while the video content is loaded. And You must not want to use a content protection system to review and promote those streaming devices that provide content to many customers.
You don’t do illegal work while hooking a Blu-ray player up to an old TV. It only tries to recycle an old monitor into a little Chromecast-powered streaming station. In addition, it may capture menus & screenshots to write guides & tutorials. A flawed DRM protocol is beneficial in this case.
How Do You Find Out If Your Setup is HDCP Compatible?
Spectrum TV ensures your setup will support the protocol while playing a video. You might see an error message if you can’t verify the compliance. However, you can watch the video in standard definition while it is available.
Older televisions and video cables are common causes of being non-compliant. Therefore, you should find the manufacturer’s specifications on the web for your device, cable, or adapter. Thus, you can ensure that your setup complies with the protocol.
What Should You Do If You See an HDCP Authentication Failure Error?
Sometimes, a loose cable connection or outdated video driver can let video providers determine that the setup doesn’t support the protocol. Hence, ensure you have attached all wires and devices properly.
On computer:
You should use the most updated version of Safari or Edge. If you use many monitors on the PC, you should try to use your primary monitor. You should turn off browser plugins and reboot your browser before playing the video again. If you want, watch television using a Chromecast device.
On TV or Mobile:
- You should disconnect the device if you use a streaming device such as Apple TV or Roku.
- After that, you should wait for a while and connect it again.
- Next, your job is to reopen the Spectrum TV app and play a video again.
- Then, you need to unplug and replug your HDMI cable.
- Now, you should switch the ends of your HDMI cable.
- Next, attach another HDMI cable. In this case, you can get help from an Image Science Foundation (ISF) certified rated cable.
- You can use another HDMI port on your television. If you use a stereo or a receiver, try to connect your device directly to the television by bypassing the equipment.
- If you see an HDCP error message, ensure your device setup supports the protocol, including cables, adapters, graphics cards, drivers, and monitor or TV.
- You should find the manufacturer specifications for your device or contact customer support.
HDCP Authentication Failure and Its Causes:
The major issue is that your device might not support the protocol. Usually, it doesn’t happen. But manufacturers don’t need to make their devices compatible with the protocol. Instead, it indicates that you cannot stream your content if you purchase a non-compliant device.
The transmission won’t succeed until devices in the whole media chain are incompatible with the protocol. Mostly while watching content supporting the protocol in your device that is incompatible with it, you can find an error message, like “HDCP unauthorized” or “HDCP error.”
However, sometimes you can’t see error messages also. In these cases, the error displays only a blank screen. You need to find out then what the problem is. It indicates that a few old devices support the correct ports, like HDMI, but are incompatible with the protocol. As a result, you cannot turn that old monitor into a cheap video box.
If you prefer recording games, it can annoy you. We have told you before PS3 does not come with the update. Therefore, players using PS3 should record their games using external capture devices.
In addition, if you want to review stuff like video players, you can’t take a screenshot of the interface while the video runs for the protocol. But it won’t happen if the content is pirated.
How to Fix Your HDCP Authentication Failure:
Remember that you must not need to purchase a new tv set, upgrade the audio-video receiver, or invest money to fix an issue. Instead, you only have to buy a new device supporting the protocol.
You can not circumvent it for legitimate use cases. In addition, no methods exist for which agency supports the protocol. It can help people if they come with older equipment or a legitimate non-piracy. Besides, this standard has been compromised for years now. Manufacturers keep on paying for licenses. Therefore, what should you do to solve the outdated problem? In this case, you can purchase an HDMI splitter that ignores HDCP requests to solve the problem of buying a new TV or giving up on your video game project.
If you are willing to use the splitter, put it between the devices that provide the problem and the display device. For example, suppose you have a simple configuration like you are willing to connect a Chromecast to an old monitor. In this case, you should connect the Chromecast to “Input 1” on the HDMI splitter. After that, your task is to use a high-definition wire to plug the splitter from “Output 1” to your Display. First, you should connect the HDMI devices to the receiver if you use a new audio-video receiver incompatible with the old HDTV. Next, you should keep the splitter between the receiver and the Display.
HDCP / HDMI Handshake Troubleshooting and Guidelines:
Display: Any LCD / Plasma / Projector or any other screen with a DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort input
Source Device: Any Blu-ray Player, DVD Player, Gaming Console (PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360), Apple TV, Roku, Netflix, HD PVR, or any device with a DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort Output.
Power Cycle:
You should first turn off or turn on the equipment. A few LCDs at the wall socket offer a low voltage to HDMI Distribution Equipment via the HDMI port. Therefore, if you change it to standby mode via remote, HDMI Distribution Equipment won’t perform the process entirely despite being powered via an HDMI port. Then, you should wait ten seconds after switching off the equipment to turn it on again.
HDMI:
It stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface. This interface enables you to attach source devices. Besides, it can display with each other to offer high bandwidth video and audio (Resolutions up to 2560×1600 75hz / 1600p / Quad-HD + 8-Channel Audio, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio).
HDMI Distribution Equipment:
HDMI / DVI Splitters, HDMI / DVI Switches, HDMI / DVI Extenders, HDMI/DVI Converters, or others between the source and Display. In this case, you can use Amplifiers / digital receivers between source and Display as an HDMI switch like multiple inputs to 1 monitor-out HDMI port. If you use digital receivers & amplifiers between source and Display together with HDMI Extenders, Splitters, or Switches, these will support the HDCP Repeater bit.
HDMI Handshake:
It means exchanging encrypted keys between the source/player and the LCD and HDMI Distribution equipment. Every device comes with a unique set of keys that your Display & source must accept before video/audio is displayed. The problems occur while LCD or Source does not accept them from HDMI Distribution equipment.
HDMI / HDCP Handshaking Issues:
You can encounter issues with Video or Audio on your Display. Hence, High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection causes the problem. It always occurs while all sources, HDMI distribution equipment, and displays are turned on. We generally turn off displays and source devices. That’s why most problems occur while powering on them again. It will renegotiate the handshake between the Source and Display.
We recommend here a power-on sequence before powering your equipment cycle. A poor connection can cause handshake problems very often. Although the HDMI cable fits securely, ensure no sharp bends should exist on the cable. Besides, you should ensure that the wire must not cause the HDMI port to bend.
You should fasten wires against the wall. In this case, you should make sure that it must not hang from the device’s HDMI ports. These ports can damage your equipment.
Ensure all HDMI / DVI Cables and Equipment are capable of HDMI v1.3 and HDCP 1.2. Besides, the Display should support at least HDMI v1.1 for HDMI Equipment. In addition, it must accept HDMI v1.3 signals to downscale.
Intel Corporation developed digital copy protection to stop copying digital audio and video content. The reason is that it moves across DisplayPort, Digital Visual Interface (DVI), High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Gigabit Video Interface (GVIF), or Unified Display Interface (UDI) connections. If you want to implement the protocol, you will need a license.
General HDCP / HDMI Handshake Problems and Guidelines:
If you encounter a Handshaking issue, you should renegotiate the handshake by powering cycle the source device or the Display. In this case, you must wait ten seconds or longer. Hence, you must wait until you power cycle the Display or source for the HDMI distribution equipment to reset the timing. A few displays renegotiate the handshake while switching to another input like AV1, AV2, or another HDMI Port.
After that, wait for ten seconds. Then, you should swap back to the correct HDMI Input via remote control. Ensure you must not switch off HDMI Distribution equipment. The reason is that it can offer the path for the HDMI Handshake between the Source and Display.
Switches and Combo splitters enable you to reauthenticate the HDMI handshake. Hence, you need to switch from one input to another. After that, you should go back to the input with handshaking issues. If you find the power cycle on the Display or Source ineffective, you should power cycle all high-definition equipment like Receivers / Amplifiers and Displays. If you still find the problem, try upgrading the firmware to sort out the handshake problems on the source or Display. Contact your Source device, Display, or Digital receiver manufacturer for a firmware upgrade if necessary. Hence, you need to get advice from them on HDMI handshake issues. Sometimes, it becomes harder to get rid of the issue. The reason is that the HDTV supplier blames the source, digital receiver, HDMI Distribution, etc.
After reading the entire home entertainment setup, ensure all equipment has the recent firmware. You can use the Power-up sequence to decrease the Handshake problems. Besides, you can use it while plugging HDMI sources, distribution equipment, or displays.
Steps:
- First, your task is to turn off all equipment at the wall socket.
- After that, ensure you have plugged all Cables, Splitters, Switches, and Extenders within the HDMI Distribution Network.
- Next, your task is to switch on all Splitters, Switches, and Extenders within the high-definition distribution network.
- Then, you should turn on all displays. After that, you should set it to high-definition input from HDMI Distribution Network. Finally, ensure the source device must contact the Display to retrieve EDID information.
- Next, try to turn on Sources / Players. Hence, one thing you should make sure that you need to open a path from source to display for this handshake negotiation. To do this, you must choose the actual input on HDMI Switches or the HDMI switch/splitter combos through the remote control. A few displays negotiate the handshake better while the source is turned on. Hence, you might have to change points 3,4,5 above to 4,3,5 or 4,5,3. But it relies on your equipment.
Common HDCP Handshake Troubleshooting:
You can troubleshoot any HDMI handshake issues though you have not listed them under the specific category of problems.
Have you kept HDMI Players, gaming consoles, and displays turned on an entire day? If you have done it without switching to standby mode or another HDMI source, ensure the unstable voltage is causing the problem. It is on HDMI ports on Source / LCD or AC/DC adapter feeding power to the HDMI Distribution Equipment.
A few pieces of equipment won’t have HDMI handshaking problems. On the other hand, others come with a specific sequence to set up the HDMI handshake for signal transfer. Is your display manufacturer offering a firmware upgrade? If not, you must adapt to a sequence of resuming equipment from standby via remote. This sequence usually behaves for the protocol design on HDMI Players and displays.
Several HDCP sources like HD PVR, PS3, Xbox, and Blu-ray Players require an HDMI path to the Display. It helps to retrieve resolution capabilities while the source is turned on. Suppose you use an HDMI switch and HDCP-certified digital receiver/amplifier between PS 3 and LCD. It will help you ensure that you have set the receiver and HDMI switch to the correct input for PS 3. It wants to make communication via all devices between source and LCD. Thus, it sets up the HDMI handshake and retrieves the EDID configuration from the Display. In this way, it is possible to confirm that you are watching the proper resolution. A few sources & screens do HDMI handshake and display EDID detection in real-time.
Usually, we do not put DSTV HDPVR on standby via remote. Hence, you might need to undergo a specific sequence based on your display capabilities. For instance, a few screens can identify a change on the HDMI port. Then, it will perform a handshake while the signal is dropped and reconnected. Besides, you can keep HDPVR enabled for a whole day. But if you switch LCD to standby mode via remote during this, the LCD won’t identify it as a source while resumed from standby mode. The reason is that it comes with an active HDMI connection while in standby mode. But the HDMI port can emit a low voltage.
If you want to eliminate the problem, you should put the source (HDPVR in this case) on standby. After that, you need to resume it from standby after 8 seconds. Then, turn on the LCD or restart it from standby on the remote. Next, you should set it to the correct input HDMI port. Finally, a few screens might ask you to hit the P+ or P- button.
Thus, you can negotiate the handshake again after resuming HDPVR from standby.
But the major issue with HDMI splitters is that no splitter supports every device. While using similar brands, a DVD player model supports any specific switch where a different model won’t. In addition, remember that compatibility is not particular for any device. Rather than that, it is a three-way relationship between the source, the switch/splitters, and the Display.
Therefore, you can use a specific DVD via a particular switch to a certain television. But you should use another television. Your television might work via the switch with another DVD player. If you are willing, you may finish with multiple possible combinations. Therefore, you won’t know, depending on brands which devices support which switches and which won’t. The trick allows you to find a splitter supporting a specific combination of devices.
Theoretically, it will support each device only while you plug it into another device. But you may encounter errors while looking for an appropriate switch.
We have given about a few display manufacturers below.
Samsung Displays:
- Your first task is to use the remote to power down the screen.
- After that, you should navigate to the manufactures settings. Then, hit these buttons— Info, Menu, Mute, Power – in sequence.
- Then, you need to scroll down the page to the ’10 Adjust’ option. After that, tap on OK. But, again, it varies on different models.
- Next, you should scroll down the page to ‘HDMI’ and tap on OK. But, again, remember that it can vary on different models.
- Now, go to the ‘Clock Control’ option. Then, you should change it from ‘On’ to ‘Off’ with the Left and Right arrows.
- Afterward, your job is to hit ‘Menu’ to return to the earlier menu. Next, you should save settings. Then, you can indicate it by ‘??????’ on the menu on a few screens.
- Then, power down the Display.
- Lastly, you should power up it.
Many LG Displays:
Hit the menu button on the TV Unit for a minute. Otherwise, you can tap Remote & TV Menu Buttons together for a minute.
For Many Panasonic Displays:
- Your first task is holding the {VOL -} button on the plasma television.
- After that, your job is to hit the {RECALL} button three times on the remote. You can find the {STATUS} button on a few remotes. In such cases, you should hit them three times and not {RECALL} to access the service menu.
- Then, you can see the Service Menu.
- Next, go to the main menu items using {1} {2} on the remote.
- Now, you should go to sub-menu items using {3} {4} on the remote.
- You should change the item value using {VOL+} {VOL -} on the remote.
- As soon as you change the value, the change is done. Therefore, you do not need to save it.
- Finally, you should switch off it to exit service mode and save.
For Most Sony Displays:
While keeping off the television, you should hit these in this order on your remote, including:
- * ‘Display’ ( you should hit ‘Info’ on a few LCDs).
- * ‘5’
- * Volume ‘Up.’
- * Power
Many Philips Displays:
You should access the Service Menu by tapping in 062596 without pause. Then, you need to hit the i+ button. After that, your job is to push any key into the service menu. But it won’t change anything. If necessary, hit the ‘menu’ button to exit from the service menu anytime.
Many Toshiba Displays:
- Your first job is to power ON your television.
- After that, hit the {MUTE} button three times on your remote.
- Next, hit this button again and hold.
- Then, hit the {MENU} button on the front panel of your television.
- Now, you should release these buttons.
- Ensure a letter ‘S’ is present on the Display’s upper right.
- Hit the {MENU} button again on this front panel.
- After that, you will enter into the Service Menu.
- Next, choose the item using {CH+} or {CH-} buttons.
- Then, manage the value using {VOL+} and {VOL -} buttons.
- Finally, power off the set to exit the Service Menu.
Don’t you have any video or audio? Have you installed an HDMI Extender over CAT5e / CAT6 / CAT7 recently? Ensure you should check two pairs of cables between the transmitter and receiver. It ensures it is terminated as per UTP/STP Standard 568B.
Conclusion:
While using equipment, you can lose the handshake every few seconds. Usually, while it happens, the display resolution comes at 480p. You can face handshake issues using an HDMI cable with damaged pins. Besides, the problem can cause if the wire does not conform to the correct HDMI specifications. If necessary, you should alter the wire to test if it is creating the problem. You can use gold-plated connector wires to get the best signal transfer on HDMI connections.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What does HDCP authorization failure mean?
It means an error with the physical connection or communication between your device and the TV.
- How do you turn off HDCP?
If you want to disable this feature, choose (Settings) > [System]. After that, you should clear the checkbox.
- Does Roku require HDCP?
It must support HDCP 2.2.
