What is HDCP?
If your business has encountered a blank screen while trying to display a video or the picture quality suddenly declines, the problem can sometimes be traced to high-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP). Understanding HDCP and how your source devices, such as a Blu-ray player, and your display, such as a television, work together is key to avoiding common video-related problems for a smooth video viewing experience.
Learn more about HDCP technologies, how they work and their important impacts on video distribution systems for enterprises.
What HDCP Is and How It Works
HDCP is also commonly referred to as high-definition copyright protection. The objective behind HDCP is to prevent protected video content, like movies and television shows, from being copied and/or redistributed to unauthorized users.
Video content protection standards largely revolve around digital rights management (DRM), which involves various digital content access control and distribution techniques, and HDCP.
The Handshake Technique
HDCP uses the “handshake” technique that prevents the video source unit from sending protected content to anything but an authorized receiving device with the proper “handshake authorization key.” Therefore, only a receiving device, such as a television, is authorized to receive the content-protected video.
HDCP is transported over an HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort or UDI cable — this means that the video is no longer a broadband RF video signal. It has already been selected by a tuner in a TV or Set Top Box, or created by a media player, such as a Blu-ray player. In other words, the video has been converted to an audio/video (AV) format for delivery to an authorized video receiver.
HDCP is not an issue for broadband RF video distribution over the backbone and horizontal building cabling. Other forms of copy protection, such a Pro Idiom encryption, as well as other proprietary techniques, are totally capable of being distributed over the Z-Band Video Distribution System. Just ensure the receiving device is compatible.
HDCP Within Video Distribution Systems
In simple terms, the video distribution system acts as a chain of components working together to deliver the content from a source to a display. HDCP is an essential part of the end of this chain.
Let's break the system down further.
1. Content Source
The content source is the video signal's origin. It may be where the content was created or is stored. Common examples include the following:
Broadcast televisions
Cable or satellite providers
Blu-ray players
Streaming service providers
Media servers
Gaming consoles
This is where the HDCP “handshake” process is initiated if the content is flagged as requiring protection.
2. Distribution Network
The distribution network is the infrastructure that takes the video signal from the content source to the viewing destination. Components within the network include coaxial, Ethernet, fiber-optic and HDMI cables.
3. Tuning or Decoding Device
The tuning or decoding device selects the video channel or signal to determine a suitable format of the content for the display.
These devices may include:
Cable boxes
Computers
Media players
Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) boxes
AV receivers
The tuning or decoding device is crucial to the HDCP process, as it receives protected video signals from the source and initiates the “handshake” with the display device.
4. Display Device
The “handshake” occurs, and the video signal is either blocked or transmitted to the display device. If the video passes, viewers can see the content on the television, projector or monitor. If the HDCP is invalid, the video will either not play or the resolution may decline.
HCDP directly impacts your video viewing experience. Work with an expert if you are encountering issues.
Partner With Z-Band Technologies for Enterprise Video Distribution Systems
When your business needs video distribution solutions, turn to the industry experts at Z-Band Technologies. We offer a full range of scalable, cost-effective IPTV and radio frequency (RF) Z-TV video distribution products.
Our solutions make video management simple for all members of your team, not just IT professionals. Our trained experts take a personalized approach to solve your current challenges — whether it is bandwidth limitations or HDCP compatibility issues — with reliable, innovative products backed by our expert support and robust industry experience.
Are you ready to get started? Contact us to learn more about our video distribution systems or get a quote for your project.
