Apple Incorporates HDCP (Copy Protection) in New Laptops

MacRumors · 11:37 AM

Apple's new unibody MacBooks and MacBook Pros appear to incorporate a version of copy protection known as HDCP. HDCP is most well known for preventing the unauthorized copying across HDMI but is also used for the DisplayPort which is found in Apple's new MacBooks and MacBook Pros.

Quote:

bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) is a form of digital copy protection developed by Intel Corporation to prevent copying of digital audio and video content as it travels across DisplayPort, Digital Visual Interface (DVI), High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Gigabit Video Interface (GVIF), or Unified Display Interface (UDI) connections, even if such copying would be permitted by fair use laws.

Ars Technica describes how one unibody MacBook owner ran into this copy protection:

Quote:

When my friend John, a high school teacher, attempted to play Hellboy 2 on his classroom's projector with a new aluminum MacBook over lunch, he was denied by the error you see above. John's using a Mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter, plugged into a Sanyo projector that is part of his room's Promethean system.

HDCP tries to prevent unauthorized transmission of protected digital content by only requiring HDCP to HDCP connections.

In this case, the DisplayPort-to-VGA connection is not HDCP aware. As a result, the MacBook refused to play the video.

At this time, it appears only a portion of the iTunes movie content is HDCP encoded as some movies will playback without any issues. Apple has stated it plans on incorporating DisplayPort into all future Macs and Displays. The inclusion of HDCP/DisplayPort may shed some light onto Apple's comments about Blu-Ray licensing which was described as "a bag of hurt". Apple's inclusion of Blu-Ray playback into Macs could conceivably require support for HDCP.

Article Link: Apple Incorporates HDCP (Copy Protection) in New Laptops

eidrunner247 · 11:33 AM

Not sure sure I like that idea. Having HDCP is not they way to go.

imagineer2000 · Nov 18, 2008, 11:34 AM

Now I have to go back to ripping DVDs.

mmccaskill · Nov 18, 2008, 11:34 AM

So how does it deter piracy to deny playback on non-HDCP displays?

Silencio · Nov 18, 2008, 11:35 AM

Literally defective by design.

Eidorian · Nov 18, 2008, 11:37 AM

About time and what does this mean for older hardware?

ghall · Nov 18, 2008, 11:37 AM

Wait so does this mean I can't hook it up to my TV?

LastZion · Nov 18, 2008, 11:37 AM

wtf? time, money and resources could be used elsewhere...

batchtaster · Nov 18, 2008, 11:37 AM

Apple giveth.

Intel and Apple taketh away.

themoonisdown09 · Nov 18, 2008, 11:37 AM

I don't like it. But then again, I don't buy any movies from iTunes... I buy them on DVD and then rip them to my computer to watch.

Aeolius · Nov 18, 2008, 11:37 AM

I would be in the same boat. I use a Mac Mini hooked up via a DisplayPort-to-VGA-Adapter to a projector in my basement.

Full of Win · Nov 18, 2008, 11:38 AM

Wow - let me get this right. Apple is currently NOT shipping a monitor that can play content from their own laptop. SHOCKING and sad.

hitnrun7 · Nov 18, 2008, 11:38 AM

So the old MB and MBPs dont have HDCP? Is it possible that it can be incorporated through an update? if so im not installing that...

Like another poster said; "Defective by design..."

pilotError · Nov 18, 2008, 11:39 AM

Welcome to the world of DRM...

P-Worm · Nov 18, 2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmccaskill

So how does it deter piracy to deny playback on non-HDCP displays?

It prevents someone from using the video output as a means of copying data. Because HDMI is a digital signal, you could, in theory, use it as a cable to simply copy the video instead of playing it.

As for myself, I don't know what to think of this. Blu-Ray has the option of requiring HDCP compliance, so this might be a step to getting Blu-Ray playback in Macs (a great thing), but I have a few personal beliefs against HDCP in general and hate to see Apple adopt it. Oh well, can't win them all.

P-Worm

h.21 · 02:34 PM

I don't see how this does anything but hurt Apple's iTunes rental business.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Full of Win

Wow - let me get this right. Apple is currently NOT shipping a monitor that can play content from their own laptop. SHOCKING and sad.

Is Apple shipping Sanyo projectors? No. The Apple 24" LED display is probably HDCP compatible, and it will be shipping soon.

More like "Full of FAIL."

Eidorian · Nov 18, 2008, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitnrun7

So the old MB and MBPs dont have HDCP? Is it possible that it can be incorporated through an update? if so im not installing that...

Like another poster said; "Defective by design..."

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=562892

str1f3 · Nov 18, 2008, 11:42 AM

so basically the only way to watch itunes movies on my television is to buy an apple tv?

way to go apple.

FSUSem1noles · Nov 18, 2008, 11:43 AM

This is just sad and disappointing on so many levels....

Snowy_River · Nov 18, 2008, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmccaskill

So how does it deter piracy to deny playback on non-HDCP displays?

HDCP displays are logged, so it can verify where the video is going. In theory, at least. If it's going to a non-HDCP display, then you could be running it into a video recording device. As the signal, at that point, is just video, you'd have a clean (as in no DRM) video recording.

Now, that being said, I'm not pleased with this. The preponderance of projectors and external displays are non-HDCP (most projectors being VGA, as in the case mentioned above). That this will keep people who want to use a projector, such as me in my home entertainment system, or a classroom teacher (again, as in the example above - I've been there, too), is just ridiculous. I'm glad that I opted to buy one of the earlier models of MBP, and I'm not stuck with dealing with this BS while they work it out.

notjustjay · 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h.21

Is Apple shipping Sanyo projectors? No. The Apple 24" LED display is probably HDCP compatible.

More like "Full of FAIL."

Yeah, but the 24" LED display is not currently shipping. So his post stands.

Everyone's voting this negative, which is to be expected, but it's not like Apple invented HDCP. It's not really their choice.

b1wils1 · Nov 18, 2008, 11:43 AM

there is nothing good about this.

fleshman03 · Nov 18, 2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imagineer2000

Now I have to go back to ripping DVDs.

What do you mean go back?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmccaskill

So how does it deter piracy to deny playback on non-HDCP displays?

It doesn't. In fact, it encourages it. If I spend money on content, I want to do whatever I want with it. No matter it be playing it on a projector or TV or Computer. If I paid for it, I will do what I want with it.

This is why people download illegally movies, CDs and software.

spacepower7 · Nov 18, 2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-Worm

Blu-Ray has the option of requiring HDCP compliance, so this might be a step to getting Blu-Ray playback in Macs (a great thing), but I have a few personal beliefs against HDCP in general and hate to see Apple adopt it. Oh well, can't win them all.

P-Worm

HDCP is not an "option" on set-top Blu-Ray players, it's required, even if it's your own home movies burned on a Blu-Ray disc. If you connect to a non-HDCP display, then your own home movies burned on a Blu-Ray with Toast will be output on a lower resolution signal.

Bosunsfate · 12:40 PM

I don't really see it being a big deal. How often would you connect up a projector to watch a movie like this?

Nov 18, 2008, 11:32 AM	#2
eidrunner247 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Arizona	Not sure sure I like that idea. Having HDCP is not they way to go. __________________ Alu Macbook 2Ghz - 2gb RAM Last edited by eidrunner247 : Nov 18, 2008 at 11:33 AM. Reason: Corrected from DMR

Nov 18, 2008, 11:34 AM	#3
imagineer2000 macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Santa Rosa	Yikes! Now I have to go back to ripping DVDs. __________________ Imagineer2000 http://www.jeffheld.info \| http://www.macportal.com

Nov 18, 2008, 11:34 AM	#4
mmccaskill macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NC	So how does it deter piracy to deny playback on non-HDCP displays? __________________ MacPro: 2 x 2.8GHz, 10GB RAM, 2 x 750GB HD in RAID0, 8800GT 30" ACD Uni MacBook Pro, 2.53GHz, 4GB RAM, 250GB 7200RPM

Nov 18, 2008, 11:35 AM	#5
Silencio macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco	Literally defective by design. __________________ "I don't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones." - John Cage

Nov 18, 2008, 11:37 AM	#6
Eidorian macrumors G3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indiana	About time and what does this mean for older hardware? __________________ MRoogle it! hikari T7500 2.2 GHz / 4 GB / 320 GB / GMA X3100 / 10.5.8 chobimaru Core i5 750 2.66 GHz / 4 GB / 640 GB / 4830 / Windows 7

Nov 18, 2008, 11:37 AM	#7
ghall macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Rhode Island	Wait so does this mean I can't hook it up to my TV? __________________ Blog \| Twitter \| Facebook \| Flickr

Nov 18, 2008, 11:37 AM	#8
LastZion macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2006	wtf? time, money and resources could be used elsewhere... __________________ 2.53 Unibody MacBook Pro, 4 Gigs of Ram, 320gig HD, 60 gig Ipod video, 500 Gig Time Capsule, 16 gig LEGALLY Unlocked iPhone 3G, 32 Gig white 3GS.

Nov 18, 2008, 11:37 AM	#9
batchtaster macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2008	Apple giveth. Intel and Apple taketh away.

Nov 18, 2008, 11:37 AM	#10
themoonisdown09 macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Georgia, USA	I don't like it. But then again, I don't buy any movies from iTunes... I buy them on DVD and then rip them to my computer to watch.

Nov 18, 2008, 11:37 AM	#11
Aeolius macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2002	I would be in the same boat. I use a Mac Mini hooked up via a DisplayPort-to-VGA-Adapter to a projector in my basement.

Nov 18, 2008, 11:38 AM	#12
Full of Win macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: standing by for the Go Signal	Wow - let me get this right. Apple is currently NOT shipping a monitor that can play content from their own laptop. SHOCKING and sad. __________________ I am against trillion dollar deficits, a collapsing dollar, enemies list, letting terrorist in the US, prizes awarded without merit, and leaders with delusions of Godhood

Nov 18, 2008, 11:38 AM	#13
hitnrun7 macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Canada	So the old MB and MBPs dont have HDCP? Is it possible that it can be incorporated through an update? if so im not installing that... Like another poster said; "Defective by design..." __________________ 15.4" Penryn MBP, 2.5GHz C2D, 2GB, 250GB HDD Mac Mini, 1.83GHz C2D, 1GB, 80GB HDD

Nov 18, 2008, 11:39 AM	#14
pilotError macrumors 68000 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Long Island	Welcome to the world of DRM...

Nov 18, 2008, 11:42 AM	#18
str1f3 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Aug 2008	so basically the only way to watch itunes movies on my television is to buy an apple tv? way to go apple.

Nov 18, 2008, 11:43 AM	#19
FSUSem1noles macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ft. Lauderdale	This is just sad and disappointing on so many levels.... __________________ 17" 2.4ghz MacBook Pro, Intel core 2 duo 4gb iPhone 8gb iPhone 3G 16gb iPhone 3G S⃣ 40gb tv

Nov 18, 2008, 11:43 AM	#22
b1wils1 macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: chicago	ugh there is nothing good about this.

Nov 18, 2008, 11:45 AM	#25
Bosunsfate macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SF, CA	I don't really see it being a big deal. How often would you connect up a projector to watch a movie like this? Last edited by Blue Velvet : Nov 18, 2008 at 12:40 PM. Reason: Removed off-topic material

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