School me about Lightning-to-HDMI adapters. Do they need to be HDCP-compatible if the TV you're connecting to already is?

[AVR2]

I want to be able to connect my iPhone to the TVs in hotel rooms so I can watch Netflix, Disney+ etc.

The Apple Lightning-to-HDMI adapter is (of course) the most expensive, and Googling suggests that it *does* support HDCP.

There are dozens of much cheaper options on Amazon, but they all either state that they do *not* support HDCP or simply don't mention it at all. Does that matter if the TV at the end of the chain supports it?

I suspect that every active device in the chain between the source and the TV needs to support HDCP in order to get a picture?

 

[barbu]

You suspect correctly. Those apps will almost certainly require HDCP to work properly. Airplay via aTV can make this a little easier, but i doubt you want to spend that much on a solution. Go with the dongle that supports the protocol.

 

[JasonHB]

Also bear in mind that most of these apps disable the video output to prevent you from doing this kind of thing anyway.

I’d double check with each app first, I think you might be disappointed otherwise

Jason

 

[Luba]

Also bear in mind that most of these apps disable the video output to prevent you from doing this kind of thing anyway.

I’d double check with each app first, I think you might be disappointed otherwise

Jason

How “smart” are some of these streaming apps? I’m able to AirPlay to aTV in my home network, but I wasn’t able with Netflix on another network. However, I’m able to AirPlay to aTV with the Criterion Channel streaming app on both networks. Why would Netflix limit us to AirPlay on only our home network?? Maybe a bug on NetFlix app?

 

[JasonHB]

How “smart” are some of these streaming apps? I’m able to AirPlay to aTV in my home network, but I wasn’t able with Netflix on another network. However, I’m able to AirPlay to aTV with the Criterion Channel streaming app on both networks. Why would Netflix limit us to AirPlay on only our home network?? Maybe a bug on NetFlix app?

I’m guessing it works at home because you’re signed in with the same iCloud account on the aTV. On another network, different iCloud account perhaps?

I think I’ve got a lighting to HDMI cable, I’ll give it a go and report back. I’ll try all of the apps I have and let you all know what does and doesn’t work

Jason

 

[JasonHB]

Ok, so I’ve found my Lightning to HDMI adaptor and tried it with all the apps that I have, based in the UK.
Disney - Works fine
Netflix - Works fine
Prime Video - Works fine
BBC iPlayer - Works fine

Apple TV app - mostly works, although there are a few movies that I tried (Hobbit Trilogy, LOTR Trilogy, New Mutants) that won’t play at all. They say that my connected display isn’t supported. I guess this is due to HDCP restrictions on some films and I don’t know if there is any workaround for this at all.

I have a pretty recent OLED panel that supports the latest HDMI standards so this may be a restriction laid down by Apple and the relevant film studios.

Sky (UK satellite broadcaster) - Not supported at all

I hope this info helps people and if you have any specific questions, or apps you’d like me to try, feel free to ask.

Jason

 

[AVR2]

Thanks all for your help!

 

[Big Stevie]

I’m having problems viewing Netflix videos on my TV that I’ve downloaded to my iPhone 12, I’m using Apples lightning to HDMI adapter. I can get audio on the TV but not video.

Is this because of HDCP encryption? If so has this been implemented by Netflix or is it an iOS thing?

 

[Shikaka]

Kind of related… I’m trying to use a projector to do movie night for our son.

I’d like to stream Disney+ from my iPhone to the projector that’s about 8 years old. The projector has an HDMI port, but I’m doubtful that the projector is HDCP compatible.

The guy at the Apple store told me to try Apple’s $50 Lightning to HDMI cable. If the cable is HDCP compliant, do you think there’s a chance it will allow us to play Disney+ movies on our non-HDCP projector?

 

[Puonti]

I’d like to stream Disney+ from my iPhone to the projector that’s about 8 years old. The projector has an HDMI port, but I’m doubtful that the projector is HDCP compatible.

The guy at the Apple store told me to try Apple’s $50 Lightning to HDMI cable. If the cable is HDCP compliant, do you think there’s a chance it will allow us to play Disney+ movies on our non-HDCP projector?

Assuming a non-HDCP compliant projector, HDCP-compliant HDMI connection and a source that requires HDCP:

No, it won't work. The source will "ask" the projector if it's HDCP-compliant and get no response, so it will assume it's not.

 

[Shikaka]

Assuming a non-HDCP compliant projector, HDCP-compliant HDMI connection and a source that requires HDCP:

No, it won't work. The source will "ask" the projector if it's HDCP-compliant and get no response, so it will assume it's not.

Thank you for the explanation! That makes sense.

I guess I’ll have to look for an HDCP complaint projector. Anyone have any suggestions on an affordable brand?

 

[Beerstalker]

Pretty much any projector/monitor/TV with an HDMI input is going to be HDCP compatible. At least in the USA, not sure where you are. If you post a make/model someone may be able to help verify.

HDMI versions/HDCP versions could be an issue with higher resolution contect, but I think that the lightning to HDMI adapter is limited to 1080p so you shouldn't have to worry.

 

[Big Stevie]

A couple of years on from my last post and it still annoys me that I can’t use my Apple lightning/HDMI adapter to watch watch Netflix etc broadcast from my iPhone to my TV.

I have a HDMI splitter that bypasses HDCP and allows me to play content from my Sky Q box to my laptop via an Elgato gaming capture card so I might add the splitter into the loop and see if that works