My experience with Apple TV and HDMI/HDCP issues

I am convinced that it is the software update to 4.2.2 from 4.2.1 that is causing this issue. All forms of applications only worked once for me and then it reverted back to HDCP issues. I read several postings everywhere including plenty at Apple's forum and AVS where people were very frustrated with this HDCP issues. Anyways, here is what I did before taking it back to Apple store....I bought AUVIO high speed cables from Radio Shack which is rated very high and tried that and I still got HDCP issues when using NetFlix or AirPlay from iPad. Youtube from Apple TV always worked well without HDCP complaints.

I packed everything back and took it to Apple Store (you can return without re-stocking fee up to 14 days from the day of purchase). After 14 days, you cannot even return it and you can ONLY fix it. I waited for a Technician. They heard my complaints but didn't refute any of it (possibly because they have had numerous complaints on this product). It took 5 minutes inside for them to test and see similar issues with the box that I had. So, they have swapped it for a new box. Before I left the store, I checked the settings including software version and Audio/Video settings in the Apple TV that is connected at the store. I found three main differences none of which the Apple customer service staff agreed could be the reason for my problems (surprise!!)

1. The software update from the shelf and the one they were using was NOT updated to 4.2.2 (it was still running 4.2.1)

2. Because of the software update, the Audio/Video setting for HDMI had the options to toggle between Auto, RGBy, RGBhi & RGBlo bandwidth. I believe this was in place to make the HDMI interface output as component with higher or lower bandwidth but the newer update will ONLY give you the Auto option (!!!)

3. They had this directly Ethernet wired and not through Wireless network and were recieving the all the full bar strength signals. On the box that I returned, eventhough I have 18 Mbps speed at the house (any given time of the day), the Network speed test was taking a long time. Moreover, after the Apple TV network test, it doesn't spit out the outcome of the tests (a BIG bummer and useless for testing).

Anyways, I took the new box and hooked it up directly to my SONY BRAVIA XBR3 TV to one of the HDMI ports, disabled the feature to send or recieve data to Apple directly and did NOT update the software. It worked fine and have tested all of the options. From what I have read so far (I have only spent 30 hours of my weekend on this when Apple product hookups are supposed to take 5 minutes ONLY), there is NO guarantee that it will work continuously as people have had things work on them for 6 months and then suddenly have the HDCP issues.

Will wait to see....if it continues to work....