Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Mac Mini, HDMI, and HDCP issues

I sent this off to iTunes support yesterday:

--
I have just purchased a brand new Mac Mini (with built-in HDMI port.) I intended to use this device with my HDTV and as a home theater PC system. In order to try out the device, I downloaded Season 1 of Justified in HD from the iTunes TV Shows store.

Episodes are still currently downloading as I write this question. But, of the ones that have been downloaded - I am finding that it is asking me to authorize my account every time I want to play one of the files. I have tried what has been suggested online about deauthorizing and reauthorizing and so forth. The end result seems to be the same. When I do authorize, the playback is nothing but a black or gray screen with no sound. I suspect this is due to a message that I received one time (and only once) when I tried to play back one of the files that said:

"This movie cannot be played because a display that is not authorized to play protected movies is connected. Try disconnecting any displays that are not HDCP authorized."

I am running the Mac Mini with an HDMI cable from the Mini to a Denon AV reciever, and from the receiver I'm running an HDMI cable from the receiver to the TV (which is a Samsung TV I purchased in January 2009). On this scenario, I get a black screen on playback. When I plug the Mini straight into the Samsung TV using an HDMI cable I get a gray screen on playback. I looked on the internet for help regarding this issue and it is my understanding that (correct me if I'm wrong) that standard definition content does not have HDCP restrictions. So I have tried the standard definition files to the same results.

As far as I know, the Samsung TV is HDCP compliant and the instruction manual for my Denon AV Receiver states that it is HDCP compliant. I thought that HDMI in and of itself is HDCP compliant and I have found nothing on the internet to state otherwise. I thought the HDCP issue only applied to DVI connections only.

I have only received the HDCP message once. However, I receive the authorization message everytime I try to play back a file. I assume there's a relationship but maybe not.

Thank you for your assistance.
--

For the record, my receiver (which appears to be not the problem since it's happening when I go straight into the TV) is a Denon AVR-889 and my TV is a Samsung LN52A750 (believe it's a 2008 model, I think.)

Since yesterday I have tried a few things, here is what I have tried:

1) Different HDMI cable.
2) Different HDMI port on TV.
3) Tried a DVD in the Mac Mini. It worked.

I do not have the ability to use DVI on my TV. I also dont have a VGA Adapter.

According to the Denon manual, the AVR-889 has HDCP compliance. I do not see anything in the Samsung manual, but everything on the internet suggests that it's HDCP compliant. In addition to this, I use a Playstation 3 and I have purchased Lost Season 6 in HD. It plays back successfully, and from what I understand Playstation 3 content is HDCP protected and will not play if your setup is not HDCP compliant.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Thank you.

Mac Mini, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Jun 25, 2010 7:14 AM

Reply
3 replies

Jul 2, 2010 6:45 AM in response to trazcure

Have you gotten any further along in a solution to this problem? It's a very strange problem for sure.

What you might consider is hauling your mini down to an Apple Store and connecting it to one of their Apple monitors and see if the same content that doesn't play through your TV also doesn't play through the monitor in the store. That would certainly help narrow down the issue and you would have direct, live support at your side to help troubleshoot it.

Jul 10, 2010 8:56 AM in response to BSteely

That's a great suggestion Steely. I just got a new MAC mini, loaded up a new HD with all my iTunes shows from another machine so that I can watch them a new flat panel via HDMI. We were able to watch a few episodes of Clone Wars (HD), then today, suddenly, the HDCP error. Had no idea about this until just now.

This is such a "PC" type bug. I thought I was done with that kind of nonsense <sigh>.

Jul 11, 2010 7:29 PM in response to Anon1

Mysteries of mysteries. I took my macmini (new box, btw) to the Apple store - they tested it, no sign of the error. No sign of the error since I plugged it back in.

The consensus - between the Apple store guys, an Apple tech I called, and a long-time Apple owner - this error should only occur if (a) your are trying to use an older analog display; (b) an off-brand television; or (c) using some other non-approved HDMI (non HDCP compliant) connection. By the way, the cable came up in all conversations - surprised to find out that not all HDMI cables are created equal. I bought my HDMI cable from the Apple store - so again, this was not an issue.

If you are lucky, the error may show up once and never appear again. Maybe you'll have to pony up for an Apple approved cable. I wish I had something more definitive to offer here. I'll come back if the error rears its ugly little head again.

Tally Ho!
;r

Mac Mini, HDMI, and HDCP issues

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.