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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

Nov 21, 2012 8:22 AM in response to mpiano

I am getting this message when I try to play a movie in my iTunes Library on my Mac Mini and watch it on my Mac Mini's attached monitor. There is NO HDMI cable involved there. This is just regular old iTunes playing something in its own Library.


Yes, I do have an ATV (2nd gen.) and these movies do play there just fine, on our TV (attached via the HDMI cable). In fact, the one I'm trying to play locally is one we just watched last night on the ATV/TV combo. This is a "movie" that I recorded myself (using EyeTV like a DVR). I have thousands. They all give the same message.


Any ideas why I'm getting this message when I try to watch my own videos locally???

Dec 24, 2012 12:03 AM in response to David Irvine

Ok I tried the "restart" as mpiano suggested, it works once. If you exit out and switch shows it shows the HDCP error again. We were able to watch Netflix & Hulu Plus last night but now I am getting the error. Once you press restart it appears to work, then freezes. If you exit and go back in you get the error. It was working good before the latest update.


I am using High Speed HDMI cables, same ones I sell my clients and never have a problem with.


Any other suggestions?

Jan 12, 2013 10:49 PM in response to David Irvine

I'm having the same problem with my ATV3.. but only when streaming from netflix or trying to play a trailer. I can play movies from my itunes library, no problem.


What I'm seeing with netflix is that I start a movie.. it plays for 2-4 seconds.. then freezes, then I get the error.


I'm trying to play through an old Panasonic tv.. it only takes VGA input, so I have a converter box that takes the hdmi and converts to vga.


VERY frustrating that it works just fine when playing stuff from my itunes library.. I've tried everying that people have suggested here.. plugging and unplugging.. restarting.. etc.


none of it seems to be working.


arrgh.

Jan 18, 2013 7:14 PM in response to jschleifer

Same here, nothing works. My TV freezes up seconds into the rented movie and also on Netflix. I tried 4 different HDMI cables, wired directly. Powered everything off for 1 minute, reset the Apple TV2. Nothing works. Sony says that every Sony TV with an HDMI port is HDCP compatable, so it is the Apple TV or the cables. I took it downstairs and got it to work on my projector but after watching the movie I brought it back and connected it and it still didn't work.

Jan 22, 2013 5:48 AM in response to ProVisionPhoto

I just got the same problem. I tried restarting the ATV2 which didn't work and now Netflix no longer plays with the same HDCP error message.


I first noticed it last night trying to AirPlay something streamed form my ipad. I assumed it was a restriction on AirPlay but having read these messages just tried Netflci and the same problem. Nothing works anymore.


It was all fine a few days ago so it is clearly not my TV or cable. There is clearly a bug in thelatest ATV2 software.


Are Aplle going to do anything aboout it?

Jan 27, 2013 2:39 PM in response to DaveO1959

Guys I have been following this thread in Australia for the past six months while my Apple TV lay dormant and unresponsive to all of your suggestions.


Then suddenly, after a three week interlude (christmas holidays) I plugged it back in and a message about an Apple update appears on my screen.


I run the update (on Friday evening) and viola, my Apple TV works again. No more HDCP error.


Try it. I suspect Apple may have done its usual...not communicate and then slip in a fix when they finally work it out.

Mar 7, 2013 5:36 PM in response to David Irvine

I bought a new Mac Mini (2012) and had a 23" wide screen display. I could not watch anything in HD purchased through the iTunes store. At first, it was thought to be an OS issue. I went out and bought a $400 27" display. At first it did not work. You cannot use the HDMI to DVI adapter or the Thunderbolt to DVI adapter. You have to use a direct connection. HDMI to HDMI, etc. I was really upset by this as my laptop would play everything with the monitor directly connected. I'm really dissappointed with Apple. If you buy a HD movie, you ahould be able to watch it, regardless... Took me two hours on the phone with them, only to figure it out myself... This is something Apple should tell consumers!

This content requires HDCP for playback problem! Apple TV2

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