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HDCP stands for High-bandwidth
Digital Content Protection. HDCP encrypts the digital signal to
prevent it from being recorded. HDCP encryption / decryption
takes place within your equipment. Check your equipment
documentation to see if it offers HDCP. Cables simply pass the
digital signal between the HDCP compliant equipment.
High-Bandwidth Digital-Content
Protection (HDCP) was created by Intel. With HDCP, content can
be transferred from a computer, satellite television receiver,
or DVD player to a television screen or computer monitor while
the original image remains clear of any static or snow. HDCP is
meant to transfer graphic images over high bandwidths without
losing any of the pristine quality of the original graphic
content. A series of protection controls keeps the images from
becoming distorted or cross contaminated with other high
bandwidth machines in the area. As more people throughout the
world utilize wireless Internet, wireless phones, and similar
modes of technology, HDCP is becoming an increasingly important
means of protecting information.
DVD players and satellite
television receivers have used HDCP for years. Not all computers
are HDCP compatible, but more computer manufacturers are turning
to HDCP to ensure additional protective measures are in place.
With WiFi becoming a hot trend, many computer manufacturers are
considering HDCP more carefully.
When a DVD is placed in a
computer or DVD player, or when a satellite receiver is turned
on, the video content immediately checks to ensure that the
machine is licensed with HDCP controls. If the machine does not
have the proper license in place, it will not be allowed to show
HDCP material. If the proper HDCP controls are in place,
however, the DVD or video content will be displayed on the
computer monitor or television screen. These HDCP controls
ensure that no other machine in the general vicinity can add
content to the images seen by the viewer. In general, HDCP
controls allow for friendly interchanges between the machine and
the display.
HDCP works the same way. The DVD
player, satellite box, or computer checks for HDCP content. If
it isn't there, the images will not appear. Once HDCP content
has been found, the HDCP licensed machine is the viewer's
"ticket" to see the show on the computer monitor or television
screen. |
