mariotheplumber

Q: ATV4 - HDCP Error message

ATV4 has started to display an error message approx 50+% of the time, when I switch to ATV4 from ATV3... "The content requires HDCP for playback. Either your HDMI cable is properly connected, or your HDMI cable doesn't support HDCP. Please reconnect the HDMI cable from your Apple TV to your HDTV and try again".


When you OK the message, the ATV4 takes you back to the start menu for the content that was playing, whereas when I switch back to ATV3 - the content is paused exactly where I left it.

 

HDMI cables are exactly the same and ATV4 has been working for last 3 weeks - why now? - recent update the cause maybe?

 

Anyone?

Posted on Mar 27, 2016 10:16 AM

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Q: ATV4 - HDCP Error message

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  • by Rudegar,

    Rudegar Rudegar Mar 27, 2016 10:32 AM in response to mariotheplumber
    Level 7 (28,376 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 27, 2016 10:32 AM in response to mariotheplumber

    could be a periodic defect hdmi port or cable

  • by mariotheplumber,

    mariotheplumber mariotheplumber Mar 27, 2016 1:35 PM in response to Rudegar
    Level 1 (53 points)
    Apple TV
    Mar 27, 2016 1:35 PM in response to Rudegar

    Really? Don't buy it....It's been working on the same port and same cable since set up 3 weeks ago, no problem. Today after doing side by side test against ATV3, it starts to generate a message - once you "OK" the message it works, with the exception that the ATV4 takes you back to the menu for the content being played.

     

    I've never come across that kind of fault. To me it's more likely some bug that doesn't like the same content being accessed alternately by the ATV3 then the ATV4!

     

    As an aside the ATV3 beats the sound quality of the ATV4 hands down - ATV4 needed more testing and time in QA before release.

  • by Protodd,

    Protodd Protodd Mar 27, 2016 3:33 PM in response to mariotheplumber
    Level 4 (2,069 points)
    Mar 27, 2016 3:33 PM in response to mariotheplumber

    I would try a new HDMI cable...

     

    then take your ATV 4 back and continue to use the ATV 3 until the 4 better meets your wants/needs. I have been quite pleased with the updates from 3 to 4 but can see why others may not feel the same. That's the best part of being a consumer - we choose when to upgrade rather than upgrading just because something is new. New doesn't necessarily mean better. 

  • by mariotheplumber,

    mariotheplumber mariotheplumber Mar 29, 2016 2:26 AM in response to Protodd
    Level 1 (53 points)
    Apple TV
    Mar 29, 2016 2:26 AM in response to Protodd

    Thanks, however the message has never reappeared during hours of use and switching between different components, however s soon as I switching between ATV3 & ATV4 the message will reappear almost straight away (within minutes). Therefore, I fail to understand the logic in thinking "cable issue".

  • by Protodd,

    Protodd Protodd Mar 29, 2016 6:37 AM in response to mariotheplumber
    Level 4 (2,069 points)
    Mar 29, 2016 6:37 AM in response to mariotheplumber

    Then don't. It's a user forum, you have an issue and people offer suggestions. When I have problems, I like to try all alternatives no matter how mundane they may be. But you don't have to do anything. But I am not sure why your in a support forum if your not willing to even entertain the suggestions that people offer...

  • by Vinceassociate,Apple recommended

    Vinceassociate Vinceassociate Mar 29, 2016 9:05 AM in response to mariotheplumber
    Level 4 (1,738 points)
    Mar 29, 2016 9:05 AM in response to mariotheplumber

    I understand your frustration.  Problem solving can be tough and ruling things out prematurely is a common pitfall.  Work through the following steps under the HDCP alert section to methodically rule out other issues:

    Get help with audio, video, or power on Apple TV - Apple Support

    If all including the  last do not resolve the issue, I suggest you report the bug here:

    http://www.apple.com/feedback/appletv.html

  • by mariotheplumber,

    mariotheplumber mariotheplumber Mar 29, 2016 9:05 AM in response to Protodd
    Level 1 (53 points)
    Apple TV
    Mar 29, 2016 9:05 AM in response to Protodd

    I did not say I was not willing to entertain any suggestions offered. What I did say was... "I fail to understand the logic in thinking cable issue. Given that the issue is only present when switching from ATV3 to ATV4 and has never appeared otherwise"

     

    I guess I should have said earlier...The issue remains using both a different port and cable.

     

    Many thanks

  • by Protodd,

    Protodd Protodd Mar 29, 2016 9:31 AM in response to mariotheplumber
    Level 4 (2,069 points)
    Mar 29, 2016 9:31 AM in response to mariotheplumber

    Have you tried on a different TV?  Either at your house or a friend/family/neighbor?  HDCP errors usually point to 3 pieces - TV, Cable, Source.  The next step would be taking to Apple Store and have them test the device...

  • by mariotheplumber,

    mariotheplumber mariotheplumber Mar 29, 2016 9:46 AM in response to Protodd
    Level 1 (53 points)
    Apple TV
    Mar 29, 2016 9:46 AM in response to Protodd

    No I haven't, can't be bothered.

     

    I'm convinced it's a bug that only appears when the ATV3 and ATV4 are accessing the same media (side by side testing). The issue never occurs when the ATV4 is solely used or switching between other components.

     

    If I do take the ATV4 into Apple store - it will be to return it as the device for refund. It's proven to be rather disappointing and I'm bored with discovering bug after bug. The sound quality from the ATV4 falls well short of expectation and is actually a step backwards from ATV3.

     

    Thanks for the interest and tips.

  • by jimfromhornsby,

    jimfromhornsby jimfromhornsby Aug 27, 2016 6:03 AM in response to mariotheplumber
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 27, 2016 6:03 AM in response to mariotheplumber

    Hi,

     

    I've got a different problem but the same answer, I think.

     

    I've just purchased legitimate TV shows from iTunes and can't play them on my TV's, but fine on computers Mac and PC.  All I get is a blue screen on TV's with a notice saying "your device is not HDCP compatible" or similar.  This is on two TV's, 3 and 4 years old, which it appears are not HDCP (Highdefinition Digital Copy Protection) compatible.

     

    The TV shows were on ABC (Australia) TV and previews are fine on their website, iView (absolutely nothing to do with Apple).  Play fine on my TV's via Chromecast.  Buy the full TV series purchased from iTunes are no go on the TV's because they are not HDCP compatible.  At least it was only AUD18.00 I spent.  Perhaps I should ask iTunes for a refund - not a hope in h**l, I think.  Perhaps I should buy two new HDCP compatible TV's for how many hundreds of dollars?  No way.

     

    Apparently, what you can do is buy a particular HDMI splitter from Amazon (~USD20) and it makes your TV look like an HDCP TV.  Problem solved, apparently.  I've ordered one from Amazon but it will take a week or so to get here so can't directly confirm this.  I don't think it's anything to do with HDMI cables.

     

    So here I will be, breaking the law by disabling HDCP so I can view my legal, purchased TV shows.  What a stuff up!

     

    I can remember the Macrovision debacle.  Macrovision was copy protection added to commercial VHS tapes so they couldn't be copied.  Trouble was with older TV's, commercial VHS tapes caused line tearing on the picture.  Again, can't play legitimate VHS commercial tape on old TV!  Fix was soldering a new capacitor onto the PC board.  Retailer even told me how to do it on my TV.  So there we were, 30 years ago, same end result due to copy protection.  Old stuff up!  Later on, video stabilizers appeared and completely removed Macrovision.

     

    Then there was CSS protection on DVD's disabled by a few lines of code.

     

    So here we are again.  Same old story.  Legitimate content unviewable due to HDCP copy protection.

     

    I'll update when I try the HDMI splitter.

     

    Hope Apple is reading this.

  • by Diana.McCall,

    Diana.McCall Diana.McCall Aug 27, 2016 10:07 AM in response to jimfromhornsby
    Level 4 (2,942 points)
    Apple TV
    Aug 27, 2016 10:07 AM in response to jimfromhornsby

    Hi. Your TVs should handle HDCP. The following steps might help:

    Disconnect and reconnect both ends of the HDMI cable.

    Try a different HDMI cable. It should be "high speed" marked on the connectors or right on the wire.

    Restart Apple TV.

     

    HDCP has upset a lot of people, but there's not much we can do about it. Your converter may do the job for you. Good luck!