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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

Apr 22, 2014 1:38 AM in response to SS_Apple

Sorry didn't try this particular HDMI cable. The one I have worked for 2 weeks, then stopped working. I tried with another cable, and the same happened. Apple stuff is supposed to work, and reading all posts in this thread, the ATV isn't working well. Beautiful isn't all (though I'll miss the cute little black box of the ATV near my TV).

May 15, 2014 4:05 PM in response to IsraelJM

This HDPC thind is a pain in the butt and so I'm going to post in most forums my fix.


Came home from work my computer was at login and when I logged in playing up and had difficulty signing in and restarting.

Now hang on a minute cant be my mnonitiorFound out later my son had blown a sandwich maker up a cheap peice of ***** my wife had bought and blown the circuit breakers on the house power so similar to blackout. Not that this caused the HDPC problem but led to it I am assuming.


So did all the forums etc etc did the rounds trying to find a fix to this sudden inability to play any movies TV shows or music through iTunes.

Now hang on a minute it cant be my Samsung monitor because Ive been wacthing these movies etc through it before ? Cant be the bluetooth speaker because alert sounds are coming through.

Can't be the TV because they've all worked before through ATV OK so found a piec on System Management Rest difficult with a Mac MIni and bluetooth keyboard and Trackpad but found the way to do that.


Didn't fix the problem but, I came across a piece in some small forum re iTunes being the culprit and it made some sense to me as I could still play this content through Quicktime, yes it wouyld all play on Quicktime.


So Deleted backed up my iTune Library , not hard it's on an external drive just ejected that then proceeded to delete everything iTunes from my cmachine everythjing I could find prefs etc in every library all out.


Did a complete clean install of iTunes latest vers mounted the exeternal drive with my iTunes media folder on it told iTunes where it's media folder was and hey bingo everything plays again no probs.


So Thats how I stopped the dreaded HDPC problem for me.


1. Check the stuff plays on Quicktime on your monitor if it does this then it's a big bet iTunes is the culpret.


2. If you suspect iTunes and not the monitor/s then do a complete delete after backing up content and a clean instal of iTunes


3. Restart your computer all should be good


A calssic symptom if everything was working OK before and no HDPC probs occured points to software as iTunes not your monitors or cables.

May 27, 2014 9:47 PM in response to eddyr

Been a happy AppleTV user for over a year (like daily user since I cut the cord 6 months ago). Today the HDCP issue got me. Replaced the Apple HDMI cable that I've been using with another HDMI (1.3) cable and still no go.


From this thread, seems like the most sucessful thing to do is bring the box into an Apple store. I'll try that tomorrow.

Dec 12, 2014 8:00 AM in response to IsraelJM

HDCP isn't really Apple's fault, it's bad technology being forced upon everyone by the entertainment industry. If you're running into HDCP issues, go to eBay or Amazon, look for a "ViewHD HDMI Splitter v1.3b" and buy one. Put it between your Apple device and whatever display you want to use. The splitter handles all the HDCP to your Apple device, reconstructs digital signals, and supports non-HDCP displays. Fixes a lot of issues, and also lets you mirror the picture to two displays if you want/need to.

Mar 7, 2015 3:43 PM in response to IsraelJM

I connected my 2nd Gen apple TV to a new AV receiver and to a HDTV a year ago. It worked for about six months, then it stopped and gave me HDCP error message. I changed the HDMI cable and it worked again for a few months. Yesterday I started to get the same old message and it only works if I connected the Apple TV directly to the TV, very frustrated. What a crab, thinking of switching to Google Cromecast.

May 29, 2015 5:02 AM in response to IsraelJM

OK, I actually have the solution to this problem. Or at least I managed to solve the issue on my AppleTV, after trying restarting/changing cables etc etc.


The problem is that the AppleTV's hdmi port/contact/connector gets "worn out" or something like that, meaning that the hdmi cable cant get a good "grip" around the connector. The solution - pinch the hdmi cable connector a little, so that it fits tighter around the Apple TV connector. Now it works (at one time I got the error again, but a quick pinching solved it again).


At first, I tried solving the problem by reversing the cable or changing hdmi cables (which is a completely illogical solution), but sometimes it worked, for a while. My guess is that in this process, sometimes the cable made better contact with the connector in the Apple TV hdmi port.


I hope you understand what I mean, I'm not english so I've tried my best to explain.

Nov 11, 2015 9:57 PM in response to udo25

I have tried 3 tv - 3 hdmi cables and a hdmi stripper. My ATV 3 will not play Netflix or iTunes reporting HDCP error. My ATV 2 has current firnware plays perfectly on all units. The ATV 3 is broken.


I checked Apple Consumer right Warranty as it applies under Australian consumer laws and rang Apple support . I was answered in US - got transferred to Apple TV section and the guys has the nerve to say he had "never heard of a HDCP error on Apple TV". I told him I didn't believe and when he repeated I stated "mate you must have started work yesterday or else your a liar ... the internet has thousands of posts on this subject". He siad one moment while transfer you then I was put hold and 10 minutes later I hung up.


I have wasted maybe 60 hours looking for a solution ...and yes I have tried every form of restart combination.


I have 2 ATV, 2 iPads, 2 iPhones but hear this I will never - ever be buying apply product again

May 21, 2016 7:49 PM in response to Caseyjones13

I highly agree with this post. I myself was unaware until I double-checked my settings on my iTunes, and lo and behold--that in fact was the situation. This is a quick and painless fix, assuming the high-definition video preferences are in fact the problem. At the very least, it's a wonderful quick first-check to a frustrating problem. 🙂

It's funny, I just got back from vacation and was going to show off my Apple TV to a friend, when this error occurred! 😁 Total embarrassment and derp moment. Give this one a check first please--at the very least, it saves a lot of frustration, especially when you know your other devices already work on your current TV settings. 😝


Source: I own a PS4, PS3, Wii U, Xbox 360, Sony BluRay player, JVC TV supporting 1080p, all on High Speed Ethernet HDMI cables. I also use my TV for drawing, when I hook up my laptop to the TV.


Thank you for this helpful tip SO much!

AppleTV and HDCP error

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