IsraelJM

Q: AppleTV and HDCP error

I must say that I am very disappointed in how Apple is handling this. The company released a software update a while ago that included the HDCP or High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection to block the copying of audio and video content as it travels through the net. Due to this update, some of us AppleTV owners may have been experiencing errors while renting, buying or home sharing content through the device. The error is as follows: "This content requires HDCP for playback. HDCP isn't supported by your HDMI connection." Thinking to resolve the problem, I went and bought so far 4 different sets of HDMI cables to include an Apple branded HDMI cable and it did not work. Well, I thought it was going to be the TV since my TV's HDMI ports could not be updated, I went and bought a brand new TV which I did make sure that the ports were HDCP compatible and to my surprise it did not worked either. I reset the device to reinstall the software and nothing happened. This past weekend, I went to the Apple Store and they said, well lets erase and reinstall everything and it should work. The guy comes back and plugged it to a Sony TV where they have their demo AppleTV and it gave him the same error again. He said lets try it one more time and when he cam back the device would not even connect to the HDMI port. I am standing there asking for a replacement, which is fare enough due to the circumstances, and let me remind you that the circumstance is that my AppleTV as well as many others got damaged due to the software update not just normal usage and even though it was out of warranty by 80 days it was not my fault that the software update damaged it. Apple all they said was you either pay for the replacement or buy a new one. I was so angry that all I wanted to do was to throw the darn thing in the trash can in front of people in the mall so they know what's going on. I have always been a firm believer of apple but some times I question their way of doing business with the customers. Now I have a damaged AppleTV at home that I cant use not because of my own fault but because of a malfunction on the update and they make it seem as my fault. So if you are having this same problem, you can try anything, you can go to the Apple store and all I have to say is good luck. Thanks Apple....

AppleTV 2, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Jan 1, 2012 11:16 AM

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Q: AppleTV and HDCP error

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  • by Airbus 320,

    Airbus 320 Airbus 320 Aug 11, 2013 5:16 PM in response to IsraelJM
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 11, 2013 5:16 PM in response to IsraelJM

    As I indicated earlier, I did everything suggested by everybody. It didn't work. So I took my little Apple TV box to my neaerest Apple store and told them I did everything suggested, and they took it, came back 15 minutes later, gave me a replacement box, brought it home, and haven't had a problem since.

  • by ckcotton,

    ckcotton ckcotton Sep 11, 2013 10:19 PM in response to IsraelJM
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 11, 2013 10:19 PM in response to IsraelJM

    This error is very intermittent and doesn't seem to have any rhyme or reason. It will appear in the middle streamed Netflix shows, at the beginning....

     

    Rebooting ATV doesn't fix it.. Often just continually trying to play show will eventually work.

     

    I have an HDMI switch inline between the ATV and my single input 6 yr old Panasonic Plasma. It's been a problem since before the last few software updates and just happened again tonight. (v 5.3)

     

    Don't waste your time buying expensive Videophile HDMI cables (they don't help, or improve anything). Pulling out a replugging cables doesn't fix it either.

     

    Clearly this is an ATV problem outside of the other video equipment in the system....

  • by meemoo752,

    meemoo752 meemoo752 Sep 12, 2013 2:46 AM in response to IsraelJM
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 12, 2013 2:46 AM in response to IsraelJM

    I bought a Roku and filed the ATV....problem solved. Clearly Apple has no interest in helping or explaining the situation or doing anything about it. The more I deal with Apple (my husband has an iPad2 and its wifi connection keeps dropping for no apparent reason) the more I head in the other direction.

  • by victorfromalbertslund,

    victorfromalbertslund victorfromalbertslund Sep 14, 2013 8:37 AM in response to meemoo752
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 14, 2013 8:37 AM in response to meemoo752

    Ok: There is a sure fire solution, whether its because your TV is too old to support HDCP or if the problem shows up for another reason: Get a HDCP Stripper like HDFury4 or DrHDMI.

     

    The first one strips the HDCP out of the signal, the second and cheaper solution Dr. HDMI is a little plug you put on before the TV HDMI plug which also bypasses HDMI.

     

    You can google both products online, and they're a lot cheaper than getting a new HDTV.

  • by Stephen Sandritter,

    Stephen Sandritter Stephen Sandritter Sep 14, 2013 12:01 PM in response to victorfromalbertslund
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Sep 14, 2013 12:01 PM in response to victorfromalbertslund

    Not "sure fire" all the time...  The way these devices work is by emulating an HDCP key.  Once that key is blacklisted, all bets are off.  Sure, it'll work for a while, but there are no guarantees.

  • by FrancoAGP,

    FrancoAGP FrancoAGP Nov 3, 2013 5:20 AM in response to IsraelJM
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 3, 2013 5:20 AM in response to IsraelJM

    This is a list of things that DOESN'T work for my Apple TV 3:

     

    - Upgrading firmware to the latest version

    - Connecting directly the Apple TV to the TV

    - Powering the Apple TV after the TV is turned on

    - Connecting the Apple TV after the TV is turned on

    - Unplugging all other HDMI cables to the TV (DVD, computer, etc.)

    - Reversing the HDMI cable

    - Changing the HDMI cable with a better quality one.

    - Trying to play several times a video

    - Connecting to a newer TV (I have tried with different devices and brands, including the same TV and HDMI cable at the Mac store, where was an Apple TV in exhibition)

    - Restarting with the remote

    - Restoring the Apple TV firmware from my Mac (using USB connection)

    - Plugging the power cord directly to the wall

    - Sleeping the Apple TV, and waiting 10 seconds

    - Sleeping myself and trying again after several hours

     

    Do I miss something?

     

    Could it be a hardware failure?

  • by MacThijs,

    MacThijs MacThijs Nov 3, 2013 10:07 AM in response to FrancoAGP
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 3, 2013 10:07 AM in response to FrancoAGP

    Try setting the display properties to the properties of your tv (720&50/60 or 1080i or whatever) instead of automatic.

    Solved everything for me!

  • by FrancoAGP,

    FrancoAGP FrancoAGP Nov 3, 2013 12:25 PM in response to MacThijs
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 3, 2013 12:25 PM in response to MacThijs

    Thank you MacThijs, but I have tried also setting the video properties (including lower resolutions) without success.

  • by DG1031,

    DG1031 DG1031 Nov 5, 2013 4:27 PM in response to IsraelJM
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 5, 2013 4:27 PM in response to IsraelJM

    I am new to the forum .. I have this error also ... makes me so made i want to smash the thing.   Does Apple not respond to these messages?   When can we expect a fix for this??   Or is my apple tv a paper weight now?  I've only had it for a few months.

  • by FrancoAGP,

    FrancoAGP FrancoAGP Nov 5, 2013 6:27 PM in response to DG1031
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 5, 2013 6:27 PM in response to DG1031

    If your device is still under guarantee, you shoud ask for a replacement.

  • by 52527,

    52527 52527 Dec 9, 2013 2:06 PM in response to IsraelJM
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 9, 2013 2:06 PM in response to IsraelJM

    I had the same problem and everything worrked perfectly for a day but it just stopped working, so it is not a hdmi or tv problem, since they are all brand new. I think this is a problem with Apple TV which apple does not spend enough time to solve or even inform its customers.

  • by mokoloko,

    mokoloko mokoloko Jan 1, 2014 8:47 PM in response to IsraelJM
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 1, 2014 8:47 PM in response to IsraelJM

    I have had this problem w/my Apple TV G3 ever since Apple started adding the new channels (i.e. Smithsonian, Weather, SkyNews, PBS, etc.).  Visited this posting several months ago, tried several of the suggestions - all failed to help.  Although I don't subscribe to Netflix, when I try to stream iTunes movie rentals the same issue occurs!  I use a Mac and a Time Capsule at home, so all Apple products.  Then, I went into the Apple Store for help, and they replaced it, calling it a "known issue."  I brought my new one home - seemed to work marginally better (now I could SOMETIMES get 5-20 min. of playback), but still not able to get thru a single full-length episode without the HDCP screen.  Fast forward another few months later, I'm back where I started - can't stream ANYTHING for more than 5 sec. other than YouTube and Trailers, etc.  I plan to take it back to the Apple store for more help.  This is by far the most problematic Apple product I have purchased (and I have several).  Oh, and by the way, my father-in-law also has the Apple TV G3, and it works JUST FINE for him!!  If I find anything that works, I'll post it here.

  • by mokoloko,

    mokoloko mokoloko Jan 25, 2014 6:45 AM in response to mokoloko
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 25, 2014 6:45 AM in response to mokoloko

    Update on my last post.  I swapped my Apple TV into the setup at my father-in-law's house, and it worked.  So, I knew the issue was in the cable or in my TV, not the Apple TV.  I also tried my cable with my father-in-law's Apple TV, and then his stopped working - so likely it was the cable.  So... I bought the Apple HDMI cable and tried it out yesterday in my own house, and ... (hold your breath) ... IT WORKED!  I watched a full episode on the Smithsonian Channel without the HDCP screen!  Hopefully this saga is finally drawn to a close, but if the HDCP screen comes back, I'll repost.  BTW, my TV is a Panasonic Viera Plasma 42" I bought in 2008. 

     

    So, in summary, if you see the HDCP screen, call Apple or go to the Apple store to verify that your device is not under some kind of recall or eligible for replacement (like mine was, even though it was no longer under warranty).  If you still have a problem, then try a different cable (i.e. the $19 Apple one).  If that doesn't work, you may be out of luck (probably your TV).  One other helpful suggestion is to try your Apple TV in someone else's setup if you know that theirs works.  In my case, doing that helped me isolate my old HDMI cable as the likely culprit.

     

    All the best!

  • by ckcotton,

    ckcotton ckcotton Jan 26, 2014 10:20 AM in response to mokoloko
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jan 26, 2014 10:20 AM in response to mokoloko

    To update from September post...

     

    I too use a Panasonic Plasma (circa 2006) with a single HDMI input.

     

    The Apple TV (2) works well but on occassion I was getting the dreaded HDCP screen.

     

    My fix was to provide some cable tension relief. Support the HDMI cable so that it is not relying on the plug itself to stay connected. Tape/Wire Tie seem to work well. It appears that if the cable is not completely snug and stable it will result in the HDCP warning.

     

    For further info, I am not using any Apple cables. I also have an outboard HDMI switcher between the Apple TV and the Plasma to allow for other devices that need HDMI inputs (DSS, Xbox).

     

    Its been months since I was tempted to bash the Apple TV with a hammer.

  • by Andrewrgossett,

    Andrewrgossett Andrewrgossett Feb 6, 2014 5:20 PM in response to IsraelJM
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 6, 2014 5:20 PM in response to IsraelJM

    I made a video about my hdcp error solution

     

    http://youtu.be/nrTSpVDFzWM

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