HDCP is an abbreviation for High bandwidth Digital Content Protection, developed by Intel Corporation. As the descriptive name suggests, HDCP is intended to protect the integrity of different audio and video content because it is sent over different types of interfaces. All data interfaces such as GV IF, DVI and HDMI support HDCP functionality.
Is HDCP free?
No. HDCP requires an authorized license. The license can be obtained from Digital Content Protection, a subsidiary of Intel Corporation. Generally, a license can be obtained by applying for and paying an annual membership fee. Once the application is accepted and the user agrees to the terms of the license agreement, they are entitled to use HDCP.
What Are Some Key Terms of Use For HDCP?
One key term has to do with the transmission of data to unauthorized receivers. That is, an HDCP protected video source is not allowed to transmit protected content to any receiver that has not been verified to be HDCP compliant. There is also a restriction on the quality of the content, making sure that the DVD audio content is equal to or less than CD audio quality on any non HDCP digital audio outputs. The licensed operator also covenants to not use their equipment to produce copies of content, and also to make sure that original content is created within the confines of current content protection requirements.
What Type of Devices Make Use of HDCP?
There are a number of different devices that make use of HDCP. DVD players are a common example, including systems that support high definition DVD components. Blu-ray discs are another example. Generally, it is possible for the manufacturer of the device to set what is known as an Image Constraint Token that will structure the type of output signal that can be read and translated.
How Widespread Is The Use of HDCP?
Since 2004, HDCP has been widely used in the United States. Elsewhere, HDCP has also gained a firm hold. The European Industry Association for Information Systems has deemed HDCP as a required component on all HD ready European devices. The latest Microsoft operating system, Windows Vista, makes use of HDCP as part of the function of graphics cards and monitors.
How does HDCP authentication and key exchange work?
HDCP uses the exchange of encryption keys between the source and the display to ensure that compatible devices communicate only with other compatible devices. All HDCP compliant devices contain a unique set of 40 56-bit keys along with a special public key called the key selection vector (KSV).
Before sending digital content, the sender and receiver exchange KS Vs. Recipients will only accept content if they receive the correct KSV from the sender. Once connected, the KSV is combined with the device's unique key to create an encrypted connection. This secure connection is constantly monitored to confirm the transmission. For added protection, the sender encrypts the digital content before sending it. The recipient decrypts it at the other end.
HDMI sources only support a limited number of keys, some sources accept only a single key. This can mean that the signal can only be delivered to one display at a time. Even if the display is not compatible with HDCP, the DVI display, the source will be switched, the video will be truncated immediately, and all the displays will be black. The solution to this is to use a switch with a dedicated HDCP button for each output. By doing this, the switch outputs now act as video sources and authenticate each of the displays separately, and the video source only needs to authenticate with the matrix switch input. If one of the displays is not HDCP compliant, the video to this single display can be cut without affecting the rest of the system. This ensures a faster and more reliable switching applicator, which will be compatible with all types of HDMI sources.
You must be logged in to post a comment.