HDCP Error with HDMI-VGA connections

Question

Level 1

5 points

HDCP Error with HDMI-VGA connections

We have been using Apple TV 3 Software Version 7.0.2(6915) for connecting the Apple TV to classroom projectors that have a VGA port in. This was working perfectly till last week, and it seems a new software update was pushed to the Apple TV device now we get "This Content Requires HDCP for playback". Tried multiple different options of soft and hard reboots, resets and restarts nothing helps. Connecting the same Apple TV using HDMI-HDMI cable works fine. We are using Kanex HDMI-VGA adapter. If someone has the same issue please write back since there have 26 Apple TVs in the school and is being actively used by instructors to project their work to the class.

Apple TV, iOS 7.0.2, Apple TV 3 HDMI-VGA HDCP Error

Posted on Jan 16, 2015 8:55 PM

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Answer 1

vazandrew

Level 8

40,834 points

Jan 16, 2015 9:19 PM in response to ravijn

Unfortunately, Not much you can do with the current setup as the device is only designed for HDMI (and it is still performing fine when connected this way). There will never be a guarantee with converters.

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Answer 2

R C-R

Level 6

17,794 points

Jan 17, 2015 3:03 AM in response to ravijn

ravijn wrote:

We have been using Apple TV 3 Software Version 7.0.2(6915) for connecting the Apple TV to classroom projectors that have a VGA port in. This was working perfectly till last week, and it seems a new software update was pushed to the Apple TV device now we get "This Content Requires HDCP for playback".

As far as I know, 7.0.2(6915) is the latest software version & nothing new has been pushed out by Apple since its release months ago.

You problem is most likely exactly what the error message indicates: the content (for example commercial movies from a streaming service or an iTunes library) you are trying play on the ATV is protected by the HDCP encryption standard, so unless the Kanex adaptor supports HDCP internally, the ATV will not output the protected content to it.

I looked on the Kanex website to see if they claim the ATV Pro adaptor supports HDCP but nothing there says if it does or doesn't. Also, one of the U.S. Apple Store questions about the device has conflicting answers for that, so I suggest you contact Kanex directly for a more definitive answer & perhaps some help with the issue.

Failing that, you could try your setup with some content you know is not protected by HDCP (like a home movie in an iTunes library). If that works, then the problem almost certainly is that the Kanex doesn't support HDCP & you will not be able to use it with any content so protected.

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Answer 3

ravijn Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 17, 2015 9:55 AM in response to R C-R

RC - R, Thanks for the detailed reply. I too checked the Kanex site and there is no information on the site. A few more questions:

1. The content we are playing is a video that has been created by us hence there is no HDCP encoding. The connection can mirror my desktop for displaying presentations from Keynote or Powerpoint, or displaying photos from iPhoto. The system throws an error when I play a video that is on iPhoto or iTunes created by me.

2. The thing that is intriguing is that the entire setup was working fine till last week when suddenly all the 26 Apple TV with Kanex decided to spin the wheel and throw out this error. Nothing seems to be changed, i.e. the Apple TV Software Version, the Kanex adapter and the projector that we are using. I am trying to trouble shoot what changed and I can lay a finger on this.

Please let me know if you have any insights into this.

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Answer 4

Alley_Cat

Level 7

20,560 points

Jan 17, 2015 9:59 AM in response to R C-R

I bought a Kanex maybe 2 years ago to use with an old VGA projector and it happily displayed protected content over VGA.

I've not used it for some time as I have a better HDMI equipped projector now, but it would be a shame if AppleTV no longer supported it as Apple sold it in their online store.

I would suggest the OP contacts Kanex to query if anything has changed.

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Answer 5

jwang16

Level 1

0 points

Mar 18, 2015 10:04 AM in response to ravijn

ravijin,

do you find out and be able to fix the issue? We have same issue like yours.

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