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This content requires HDCP for playback problem! Apple TV2

Owned Apple TV for two weeks. Two weeks ago, everything was fine for films already in my iTunes library.

This week, when selecting play on a movie, I get the message 'This content requires HDCP for playback problem' inconsistently. Some vids work, some don't. Then they do then they don't! I have tried on a Samsung TV and a Sony Bravia? Same for both!

How do I resolve this. I have tried different HDMI ports, turned Apple TV 2 off and on. Tried different cables (Although my HDMI cable is the one I purchased from Apple).

Any suggestions? Is it something Apple need to fix? This is kinda embarrassing when I tell friends how good Apple TV is, get them round to watch a movie and inconsistently get this.

Many Thanks for any help

Dave.

Apple TV2, Windows Vista

Posted on Nov 21, 2010 2:52 PM

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Posted on Dec 8, 2010 11:42 AM

Mine worked fine one minute then gave me errors the next. I did these things 1. Unplug the hdmi cables. First tv then apple tv 2. Unplug the TV power and the AppleTV power, let them sit 30-60 seconds, 3. Plug in hdmi cables while power is off 4. plug the tv power in first, then the ATV power. This worked for me! (I was told it's an HDCP Handshake error, and the handshake is forced to be done again by unplugging power, but make sure you unplug both devices and plug them in the order above).
152 replies

Apr 17, 2012 2:40 PM in response to Winston Churchill

I've never had to power things down in some random order, dig behind the in wall entertainment center and wait some mystical amount of time EVER to get a DVD or BluRay to play. So at the present, I am in total agreement with his post.


In my case, I'm having no problems watching content I have on my computer, but when I try to stream from iTunes store, I'm getting the error...not seeing any of the content...and getting bills.


Not happy.

Jun 20, 2012 3:55 PM in response to David Irvine

Was having this issue just about an hour ago. Was working fine just the day before.

I was unable to view any content without that error message; Netflix, iTunes, Rented Movies, all in Standard and High Definition. Performed Software Updates, no change.

Unplugged all connections (HDMI & power), reconnected, everything works flawlessly.

Did not have to adjust router settings or change the HDMI port/cable.


Thanks.

Jul 3, 2012 2:13 PM in response to David Irvine

Solved this problem on my Apple TV ... after trawling through google I found an amazon link to a HDMI cable, one of the reviews said it solved his HDCP problem. I recieved mine this morning, replaced the HDMI cable I had been using and the problem has disappeared!

Apple TV working perfectly now .. No more HDCP problems 🙂


Use the following search in amazon 'hdmi cable hdcp apple copartner' to find the one i used or just try a different cable


Good Luck

Sep 17, 2012 8:57 AM in response to lamby2244

Just purchased my Apple TV about 4 days ago. Started receiving the HDCP error last night, and pretty much nothing would work from Netflix any longer.


I unplugged the power and HDMI connections from the Apple TV and the receiver, and powered off the TV.

Waited 3 minutes, plugged everything back in, and now it appears to play videos properly.


Hopefully this error doesn't occur again.

Oct 24, 2012 1:35 PM in response to David Irvine

I have tried everything listed in all these posts. I have changed HDMI cables, rebooted in all the different methods suggested, changed settings, I have the latests updated software 5.1. It's connected to a TOSHIBA 46" TV. I can only get my ATV to work for about 5 seconds and then a spinning arrow appears and I get the HDCP error all over again. No matter what I try, it works for 5 seconds and then goes back to the HDCP error. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Everything use to work fine before the last update. Is there a way to revert to the previous software version before doing the update to 5.1?

Oct 24, 2012 1:54 PM in response to cscordo

Well, it turns out that my earlier solution DID NOT work.


WHAT DID WORK

Apparently my Panasonic receiver was the culprit. Once I connected the Apple TV directly to my televevision, it worked fine and has since last month when I reported my issue. I have an optical digital cable from Apple TV to my receive so that I can still have hifi audio.


If this issue occurs and you are running everything through a receiver, try to connect directly to your TV and see if that resolves the issue. It did for me.

Oct 28, 2012 12:01 AM in response to cscordo

My dad has a Phillips Cineos big screen, and he had the same issue. I initially thought the cable was the problem, so I changed the cable with no effect. Then I thought the Apple TV was the problem, so I unplugged it and tried again with no success. Finally, I turned the Phillips TV off and on, and voila... problem solved!

Oct 29, 2012 9:33 AM in response to jabhay

I spoke with my TV tech support people and they confirmed that It's the latest update 5.1 that is causing these HDCP errors with many TV's that previously use to work with the ATV. It's as if we are being forced to have to buy a new TV. We should be able to go back to the previous version of software on our ATV so that our HDMI connections work. Apple can you please create an update that reverts back to the version before the 5.1 update so we can use our TV's again and don't have to go buy new ones?

Nov 4, 2012 10:39 AM in response to David Irvine

I have a Panasonic TV with three HDMI inputs. #2 always throws a HDCP error with the Apple TV. And gives no sound on videos with the WDTV. Both work fine on #3. I've tried all the suggestions and several HDCP compatable cables from Amazon. I only get the HDCP error on the Apple when streaming Netflix. Utube etc, work fine.


I'll take any help I can get. Not sure what to try next. TV is a couple years old -- Don't know if Panasonic will talk to me.


Bob

Nov 9, 2012 8:31 PM in response to superfishn2

In my case, I got the same error message when I used airplay. However, when I do home sharing and pull a movie from my macbook, everything works. I think this is an airplay bug that Apple introduced in their latest firmware release.


I also tried switching HDMI cable (Philips HDMI 1.4) cable and it did not work. the fact it works when it pulls movie from a Macbook should indicate the HDCP and HDMI connection works in this set up?


Thanks

This content requires HDCP for playback problem! Apple TV2

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