is hdcp 2.3 backwards compatible?

In other words, you may not be able to watch all future 4K programming on your current 4K TV or even the receiver you purchased this year.

It’s important to keep copyrighted material safe. You have to choose between HDCP 2.2 and 2.3 because that’s what you need to do. Which one is better?

Let’s find out what this is.

For non-4K material, you don’t need to bother about HDCP 2.2 at all.

You cannot play or view 4K UHD/HDR material without an HDCP 2.2 compatible source (TV stick/box, blu-ray player or console, etc.) and an HDCP 2.2 compliance receiver (TV, projector, monitor, etc.).

Splitters, switches, matrices and AVRs, as well as your soundbar or home theater, are all included in this category. Streaming 4K material necessitates the use of an HDCP 2.2-protected interface, so any devices you use must comply.

It is a way to protect the copyright of the video. Most commercial UHD videos use HDCP 2.2 or higher. It would also need to be part of the HDMI implementation on any device you plan to use to play commercial 4K or higher sources, pass the video through, process the video, or show that video. There are a lot of things you need to do to get the 4K video that comes with a UHD disc, like make sure that your player, AV receiver, and TV are all at least HDCP 2. You wouldn’t be able to get more than 1080p or none at all at all from the source without this compliance.

Most sources are not encoded to take use of the latest capabilities of HDMI 2.1, therefore HDCP 2.3 compliance is unlikely unless you’re dealing with 8K sources. If your receiver doesn’t support HDMI 2.1, you won’t have any problems using HDCP 2.2 instead of 2.3, because your receiver doesn’t support HDMI 2.1.

Different types of TVs can support HDCP 2.22 or 2.2.3 protocols. This depends on what kind of TV you have and when it was made. When it comes to HDCP 2.3, it is backwards compatible with the previous version, however HDCP 2.2 is not.

It’s expected that when UHD content becomes more widely accessible over the following several years, HDCP 2.2 – the most recent version – will enable 4K video transmissions.

Theoretically – HDCP 2.2 is a more secure protection system for all of the new material that filmmakers and TV production firms are investing in to safeguard 4K UHD video.

HDCP uses a series of encryption keys to verify that all devices in an AV system are HDCP 2.2 compliant (think of it, maybe, as a series of digital ‘handshakes’ between devices) and that they are not ‘rogue’ HDCP non-compliant recording devices.

Additionally, HDCP 2.2 includes a ‘locality check,’ which prevents long-distance sharing of HDCP 2.2-protected media. To authenticate the signal, the locality check delivers a random number from the Transmitter that must be received by the Receiver within 20 milliseconds.

Errata updates to the locality check protocol, responsible for certifying the distance between receiving devices and transmitting devices, were published in July 2021 and are supported by Synopsys’ DesignWare HDCP 2.3 IP embedded security modules (ESMs).

Customer options are available with DesignWare HDCP 2.3 IP for customers that wish to use the pre-errata version for compatibility with current field installations.

Users of DesignWare HDCP 2.3 ESMs may quickly and perhaps without the need for RTL modifications update to newer standards. Allows for a less-invasive update that eliminates the need for silicon re-spins.

Digital media and display technologies are going through a lot of changes. More important video and audio content is now being streamed between a wide range of large, high-resolution devices that are becoming more common. System designers and content creators want to make sure that this content is properly protected. For HDCP 2.2, it is important to keep 4K UHD digital content safe as it moves between HDCP-protected digital interfaces on both the transmitter and the receiver, so that it doesn’t get stolen. On the other hand, the HDCP 2.3 security protocol is widely used in the industry for a wide range of interfaces, such as HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB Type-C. It is also changing with the technology. For the interfaces, security solutions are needed, not only to meet the most up-to-date standards but also to protect against malicious attacks.

Flexible and future-proof HDCP solutions need to be able to quickly adapt to new threats, and they need to be ready to work with new specification changes as much as possible without having to re-spin the chips that make them.

This FAQ is here to solve some of your problems that that may arise while walking in the pavement of this sound system.

Note: HDCP 2.3 is backwards compatible with HDCP 2.2. As a guideline, HDCP 2.3 is used to decrypt content at Ultra-High Definition (UHD) while HDCP 1.4 is the legacy content protection scheme used at lower resolutions.

HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is an encryption protocol that ensures a secure connection between a source device and display.

As HDMI connection is becoming the norm for delivering high-definition audio and video content, HDCP technology is being developed to prevent illegal copying or recording of 4K Ultra HD content.

Compatibility is critical for the secure digital handshake between HDCP products. If the source and display are not compatible, there will be a failed connection and no signal.

To futureproof your AV gear, make sure to invest in technology with HDCP 2.3 technology.

HDCP 2.3 is the latest security protocol for HDMI, USB-C, and DisplayPort. It is the most advanced security solution for protecting 4K content and the AV distribution system.

Gadgets with connections that are HDCP 2.3 compliant have full backward compatibility with HDCP 2.2 and selected HDCP 1.4 devices.

In this article, learn about HDCP 2.3 compatibility and how you can futureproof your gadgets with the latest security encryption.

HDCP stands for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection.

It is an encryption technology that prevents the illegal copying of audio and video content. HDCP-compliant products are grouped into source, repeater, and sink.

The source device is where the signal starts. Some examples are game consoles, media streaming services, cable boxes, Blu-ray players, and more.

The repeater is the messenger from the source to the sink. These products include splitters, soundbars, AV receivers, wireless transmitters, and switches.

Lastly, the sink or display should be HDCP-compliant as well. Make sure to look for TVs, monitors, and digital projectors with the latest HDCP protocol to avoid problems with compatibility.

Most products with HDMI connections are either HDCP 1.4 or HDCP 2.2-compliant.

HDCP 1.4 is generally applied to all HDMI 1.3/1.4 gadgets, while HDMI 2.0/2.1 usually comes with HDCP 2.2 protocol. Most products that deliver 4K content need a successful handshake between HDCP 2.2 source and display through HDMI 2.0.

HDCP 2.3 was released in 2018 to improve further security measures for HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB Type-C interfaces.

Uncompressed 4K content promises UHD resolution, high color bit depth, high frame rates, and high color gamut. With the demand for 4K digital technology, security measures are continually being developed to encrypt audio and video content.

HDCP 2.3 is the latest advancement in security technology for protecting high-value 4K content.

The latest version of HDCP has a stronger encryption protocol for digital audio and video 4K content. HDCP 2.3 AV gear also has additional restrictions on the distribution system, so it’s critical to understand HDCP 2.3 compatibility and integration with previous versions of AV systems.

When the source device and display don’t have compatible HDCP protocols, the digital handshake will be cut. This means that there will be no signal between devices unless HDCP compatibility is established.

With the security improvements, HDCP 2.3 has stronger encryption protocols to lock out vulnerable devices, such as those with outdated HDCP versions.

HDCP 2.3 is fully backward compatible with all HDCP 2.2 devices that deliver high-value 4K content. This means that you won’t have any issues connecting an HDCP 2.3 device with an HDCP 2.2 device.

However, you will experience more restrictions in transmitting content between an HDCP 2.3 device and devices lower than HDCP 2.2 versions lower.

HDCP 2.3 backward compatibility with HDCP 1.4 products may be possible when transmitting encrypted HD content or unencrypted 4K content in AV systems with mixed support for different HDCP versions and non-HDCP devices.

The Yamaha RX-V779 receiver is an example of a mixed support AV system. When you check the back panel and the owner’s manual , you will see various HDCP and non-HDCP options for HDMI 2.0 connections.

If you want to make the most out of your AV system, invest in technology with the latest encryption technology.

As 4K content is becoming the standard for digital content, we will see more products released with HDCP 2.3 and HDCP 2.2 protocol in the coming years. Most HDMI cables with HDCP 2.3 encryption technology are backward compatible with HDCP 2.2 devices.

Last update on 2023-05-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.

Compatibility is critical for transmitting digital signals between HDCP devices. This means that there’s a high probability that you won’t be able to connect older devices with HDCP 1.x with newer HDCP 2.3 devices.

For media streaming devices delivering 4K content like Roku Streaming Stick+  and Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K , you will need a display with ports that support HDCP 2.2 or HDCP 2.3.

Our favorite TVs with HDCP 2.2 or HDCP 2.3 protocol are the Sony Android TVs or Google TVs. Any Sony Bravia 4K or 8K TV released in 2019 or later will have HDCP 2.3 or HDCP 2.2 encryption technology.

Last update on 2023-05-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.

Look into Yamaha products if you’re looking for AV receivers  and soundbars  that support HDCP 2.3. Yamaha designs their products to be updateable to the latest HDCP encryption firmware, preventing any compatibility issues.

As more devices deliver 4K digital content, HDCP technology is constantly developed to improve encryption.

HDCP 2.3 was released in 2018, and it is the latest HDCP protocol available today. It is backward compatible with HDCP 2.2 devices. However, it may not be compatible with earlier versions of HDCP due to stronger encryption measures and additional distribution systems.

What does this mean to the regular tech consumer and AV professional?

To futureproof your AV system, you need to invest in devices with HDCP 2.3 protocol. It will be fully backward compatible with HDCP 2.2 devices. However, older devices with HDCP 1.x will most likely fail to transmit signals to and from devices with HDCP 2.3 protocol.

It works by encrypting a digital signal with a key that requires authentication from both the transmitting and receiving products. If authentication fails, the signal fails.

The Digital Content Protection LLC, the Intel subsidiary organization that licenses HDCP, describes its purpose as to license technologies to protect high-value digital movies, TV shows, and audio from unauthorized access or copying. The use of HDCP-compliant cables and devices to transmit HDCP-encoded data, in theory, is designed to prohibit the duplication or re-recording of encrypted media by unauthorized devices.

Put differently: Years ago, people purchased two video cassette recorders, then chained them in series. You'd play a VHS tape, but the signal from that VCR fed a second VCR with a blank tape set to record. That second VCR then fed the TV, so that you could watch and copy movies simultaneously without difficulty or detection. The use of HDCP devices and cables now precludes this behavior unless you take extraordinary steps to acquire or modify devices to strip the HDCP encoding from a stream.

The most recent HDCP version is 2.3, which was released in February 2018. Many products on the market have a previous HDCP version, which is fine because HDCP is compatible across versions.

Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., The Walt Disney Company, and Warner Bros. were early adopters of HDCP encryption technology.

It's not easy to pinpoint which content has HDCP protection, but it could be encrypted in any form of Blu-ray disc, DVD rental, cable or satellite service, or pay-per-view programming.

The DCP has licensed hundreds of manufacturers as adopters of HDCP.

HDCP is relevant when you use a digital HDMI or DVI cable. If every product using these cables supports HDCP, then you shouldn't encounter any problems. HDCP is designed to prevent theft of digital content, which is another way of saying illicit recording. As a result, the HDCP standard limits how many components you can connect. Most people won't mind, but some applications (for example, feeding a bank of TVs at a sports bar) present difficulties.

If all the products used are HDCP-certified, the consumer won’t notice anything. The problem occurs when one of the products isn’t HDCP-certified. A key aspect of HDCP is that it isn't required by law to be compatible with every interface. It’s a voluntary licensing relationship between the DCP and various companies.

Still, it’s a shock to the consumer who connects a Blu-ray disc player to an HDTV with an HDMI cable only to see no signal. The solution to this situation is to either use component cables instead of HDMI or to replace the TV. That’s not the agreement most consumers thought they agreed to when they bought an HDTV that is not HDCP licensed.

Products with HDCP fall into three buckets—sources, sinks, and repeaters:

For the curious consumer who wants to verify whether a product has HDCP, the DCP publishes a list of approved products on its website.

No firmware upgrade can turn a non-HDCP input into an HDCP-compliant one. If you recently bought an HDTV, you might get an HDCP error when connecting a Blu-ray disc player to your TV via an HDMI cable. In this case, you'd have to choose between using a non-digital cable or buying a new HDTV or Blu-ray player.

HDCP is a purely digital technology that relies on DVI and HDMI cables. That's why you'll often see acronyms like DVI/HDCP and HDMI/HDCP. HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface. It's a digital interface that allows your HDTV to render the best uncompressed digital picture possible. HDMI has tremendous support from the motion picture industry. Some of the heavyweights in the consumer electronics industry like Hitachi, Matsushita, Philips, Silicon Image, Sony, Thomson, and Toshiba helped create it.

Created by the Digital Display Working Group, DVI stands for Digital Visual Interface. It is an older digital interface that has all but been replaced by HDMI in televisions. There are two significant advantages of HDMI over DVI:

HDCP which stands for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, a copy prevention technology that was developed by Intel and it is licensed by Digital Content Protection LLC, an Intel subsidiary organization, to protect high-value (4K) digital movies and TV shows, from unauthorized copying. HDCP is all about protecting 4K content. If you are happy watching movies in 1080p from your current Blu-ray player, and not planning to upgrade to 4K, then there is no need to be concerned about HDCP 2.2 or 2.3

How does HDCP work

HDCP requires compatibility between products in order to ensure that the digital content being transmitted is protected. It does this by creating encrypted keys between the source, repeaters, and the display (also called the sink). To more understand how this works, let’s take a closer look at each group.

1. SOURCE: This is where the signal starts. It could be a 4K Blu-Ray player, a steaming device (like Fire TV Stick 4K), cable box, gaming console.

2. Repeater: are products that receive the HDCP signal and send it to the sink. Most common products in this category are A/V receivers, Soundbars, switches, splitters, and wireless transmitters.

3. Sink: This is where the source signal goes to display it. Like TVs or projectors.

HDCP affects any component in the signal chain. For example, if you connect a Ultra HD Blu-ray player (source) to your A/V receiver or soundbar (repeater) and then it connects to your TV (sink) the A/V receiver or soundbar which are part of the chain, need to be HDCP 2.2 compliant as well. Any device in the chain that prevents the digital handshake from happening will prevent you from watching 4K content. Now, some content may downgrade from 4K to 1080p while others will show a blank screen or an error message. If you have a smart TV and stream content directly from a built-in app like Netflix or Amazon Prime without any external device or HDMI cable, HDCP does not apply. While HDCP is mostly associated with HDMI, it’s also supported through DisplayPort, DVI, and USB.

HDCP 2.2 – 2.3 and HDMI 2.0 – 2.1: What you need to know