Webomatica

 

HDCP: One Of Those Details

August 1st, 2009

The Mac Mini to the television project continues, and am running up into one of those annoying details that makes things more complicated than it needs to be.

Basically HDCP is some sort of HD content copy protection. Apple is introducing it into newer hardware, and Macs using the DisplayPort technology have this built in (new MacBook Pros, Mac Mini). How this affects the user is that HD iTunes content won’t be playable unless all the hardware in the chain is HDCP compliant. Meaning, your monitor / television. And the Macs with DisplayPort have only one video out.

I think my Mac Mini will dodge this limitation because it’s an older model without DisplayPort, and I plan to hook it up to the television using VGA instead of HDMI.

But I am now wondering what the situation will be with my current Samsung monitor that I use as a desktop machine, and doesn’t support HDCP. I’m planning on buying a new Mac Mini which has a Mini DisplayPort. I hope I don’t have to add purchasing a new monitor to the list. But on the other hand, I don’t watch HD stuff on the desktop too much anyhow.

All in all, kind of annoying all around, and I still don’t completely understand. Maybe someone can clue me in?

RSS Feed Please subscribe to the Webomatica RSS Feed!

folder Categories: Apple :: ::

Related Posts:
Back 10 Reasons Why I've Decided To Get An iPad
Back The iPad: "iPod Pro" For Consuming, Not "MacBook Mini" For Creating
Back Hitler Responds To The iPad

Back Previous Post:
Back Next Post:

  • Mike
    We got my mom a Mac Mini, with a Mini-DisplayPort port - it also comes with a Mini-DVI port, too. You can get converters for either of these to DVI, or to VGA. We went with Mini-DVI to VGA, so we can reuse the same adapter with the white MacBooks we've got here (the aluminum MacBook Pros have Mini-DisplayPort, but the white MacBooks don't).

    The problem with HDCP is playing videos that require it - if you play any old video, it will run fine with your adapter to your non-HDCP compliant monitor/TV. Videos from iTunes apparently require HDCP, particularly HD movies, though I haven't heard much about the issue in a while. Maybe they've changed that.

    DRM sucks! Though I respect your intentions to stay legit, I'm going to note for the billionth time that pirates don't have to deal with this.
  • So there are 2 video outs - I assume there's HDCP on both the DisplayPort and Mini DVI.

    Yeah DRM is annoying.
  • Mike
    I *think* HDCP is only supported on DisplayPort. Read an article a while back that DVI isn't as secure, so they can't make sure the movie isn't going back to the computer, recorded to a file.
  • I assume both the DisplayPort and the Mini DVI are HDCP? Seems like Apple
    would treat each port similarly.
  • I think The problem with HDCP is playing videos that require it - if you play any old video, it will run fine with your adapter to your non-HDCP compliant monitor/TV. Videos from iTunes apparently require HDCP, particularly HD movies, though I haven't heard much about the issue in a while. Maybe they've changed that.
blog comments powered by Disqus