AppleTV and HDCP error

I must say that I am very disappointed in how Apple is handling this. The company released a software update a while ago that included the HDCP or High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection to block the copying of audio and video content as it travels through the net. Due to this update, some of us AppleTV owners may have been experiencing errors while renting, buying or home sharing content through the device. The error is as follows: "This content requires HDCP for playback. HDCP isn't supported by your HDMI connection." Thinking to resolve the problem, I went and bought so far 4 different sets of HDMI cables to include an Apple branded HDMI cable and it did not work. Well, I thought it was going to be the TV since my TV's HDMI ports could not be updated, I went and bought a brand new TV which I did make sure that the ports were HDCP compatible and to my surprise it did not worked either. I reset the device to reinstall the software and nothing happened. This past weekend, I went to the Apple Store and they said, well lets erase and reinstall everything and it should work. The guy comes back and plugged it to a Sony TV where they have their demo AppleTV and it gave him the same error again. He said lets try it one more time and when he cam back the device would not even connect to the HDMI port. I am standing there asking for a replacement, which is fare enough due to the circumstances, and let me remind you that the circumstance is that my AppleTV as well as many others got damaged due to the software update not just normal usage and even though it was out of warranty by 80 days it was not my fault that the software update damaged it. Apple all they said was you either pay for the replacement or buy a new one. I was so angry that all I wanted to do was to throw the darn thing in the trash can in front of people in the mall so they know what's going on. I have always been a firm believer of apple but some times I question their way of doing business with the customers. Now I have a damaged AppleTV at home that I cant use not because of my own fault but because of a malfunction on the update and they make it seem as my fault. So if you are having this same problem, you can try anything, you can go to the Apple store and all I have to say is good luck. Thanks Apple....

AppleTV 2, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Jan 1, 2012 11:16 AM

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110 replies

Jun 29, 2013 4:20 AM in response to wardiefromnsw

This from ASK.COM


"The problem is that if HDCP exists anywhere in the video stream then all devices and cables accessing this content must be HDCP compliant. If one device or cable isn't HDCP compliant then you get a HDCP error.


The only solution is to either replace the HDMI cable with a non-digital cable or replace the HDCP-less device. This could mean buying a new HDTV.

In fact, I worked with a reader last year troubleshooting a HDCP error on his TV. What happened is that he bought a Blu-ray Disc Player and connected everything properly only to get a HDCP error. After a few emails back and forth we discovered that his HDTV wasn't HDCP compatible, which is why he got the HDCP error.

The reader ended up buying a newer HDTV with HDCP, and his Blu-ray Disc Player worked perfectly with HDMI cables."

Great! either replace my video projector with an new HDCP compliant one or head back to my video store to rent DVD's. This is bullshite!

Jun 29, 2013 7:35 AM in response to wardiefromnsw

Thanks for the copy/paste, but by now, we are well aware of WHY HDCP is present (though illegal and unconstitutional) and what is SUPPOSED TO cause the error The issue is that there are many people with all the correct equipment and cabling that are STILL getting this error. People with brand new systems that are entirely HDCP compliant are getting errors, when they shouldn't.

As far as it being unconstitutional/illegal, in America, we have a right to create, regulate, and display our own materials, and HDCP does not give you the option to use it or not in your own work. I have had many client projects be crippled by HDCP, and I was never given an option asking if I wanted to use it or not. My work is being hindered by this issue, and many others are having the same problem. So much so, that there is a group out there that is trying to get together a class-action suit against Intel for their irresponsible development of a failed technology that they are forcing people to use. It is not preventing pirating, just ******* off the people that try to do things right!

My advice: search eBay for an HDMI stripper, buy the $45 one from China, and give Intel/Apple the middle finger for their incompetence. Not what I expected from a company that I've been loyal to since computers were first produced!

Jun 29, 2013 12:39 PM in response to IsraelJM

Here's a good one...after many attempts- all temporarily successful, I reset my ATV and then allowed it to update. It appeared the HDCP issure was resolved. HAHA...yeah right. I'm sitting here watching Lost. I'm into the 2nd episode (after doing all the above), it suddenly freezes in the middle of the show and guess what pops up on the screen? Yepper, you got it, the good old HDCP message again. Soooooo, back to the drawing board...I reset it, entered all the necessary passwords (ATV AND Netflix) and try again...it's a no go. I am ready to take the gentleman's advice on YouTube- get a sledge hammer and fix it that way...once and for all. THEN go out and buy a ROKU3. We have one for another tv in our house and have never had an issue like this with it. You can only guess what I think of Apple right now....it ain't pretty.😠

Jun 29, 2013 6:14 PM in response to Stephen Sandritter

Agreed.

I'll try a (ebay search:) Full HD 1080p Ethernet 3D HDCP HDMI Cable , then an HDCP/HDMI Stripper if that doesn't work.

As long as people's ATV doesn't work Apple is losing money on rentals.

In the meantime I'll be using my Telstra (Australia) Tbox to rent movies and TV series so I don't have to think about the ATV. Thank goodness for competition in the marketplace.

Jul 11, 2013 5:06 PM in response to IsraelJM

I'm new to this Apple TV. Rented a movie & this error message popped up. Because I have a Sony Plasma TV about 8 YO it doesnt have HDMI connection, so I bought a HDMI to Pb/g/m converter. I then followed advice I was given, namely to reset the Apple TV, and the movie downloaded, started, and 5 seconds later stopped. Repeated the reset, same thing. Switched off all then on then reset, same thing. So, looking for any more advice, short of buying new TV, which cant happen yet.

Jul 12, 2013 5:20 AM in response to IsraelJM

I don't get any of this...why does Apple have to have so much control over what we do, watch, record...whatever?? I have 2 Roku's in my house right now, one of them hooked up to the TV that used to have the useless ATV hooked up to it and don't have ANY problems watching Netflix, Hulu Plus, or anything else Roku offers. The Apple rep at Best Buy suggested I bring the ATV in to have the Geek Squad look at it. What are they going to do? What if it works fine for them? I'm back to square one and "too bad lady, there's nothing wrong with this. Looks like you'll need a new something or other (tv, hdmi cable)". Right....I get it now.

When I get home from work I'll try what boobama1 suggests and go find markndeb88's solution. I'm not going to hold my breath.

One more thing...this seems to be a thread that Apple has not looked at or cares to do anything about...

Jul 17, 2013 8:16 PM in response to Airbus 320

Same here- fortunately we have a Telstra TBox through which we can purchase movies and TV series.

I think Apple has overstepped a serious customer relations line with this nonsense. This whole frustrating experience has left a seriously bad taste in my mouth, especially since it would be so easy for Apple to correct the problem by automatically disallowing software upgrades which will make a system non functional.

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AppleTV and HDCP error

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