On Sun, 4/13/2025 3:05 PM, Ed Cryer wrote:

I have an Apple TV. I recently installed Channel4 and ITVX apps on it, but with strange results. The picture is blank, but sound and subtitles are ok; as is picture on advertisements.
BBC iPlayer, YouTube, VLC etc work just fine.

This apparently has something to do with DRM. I think I need an HDCP-compatible cable, but my best attempts at googling haven't discovered one.

Ed

This is info from three years ago.

https://www.reddit.com/r/tvPlus/comments/ygrtwv/apple_tv_on_windows_not_playing_hd_or_4k_is_not/

"Playing protected content at 1080p or higher requires a protocol called HDCP 2.2.
Most monitors, laptops and tablets sold today are compatible with this standard and
should be able to stream without issues. 4K content, on the other hand, requires both
HDCP 2.2 and HEVC codec to work. The latter needs the user to buy a $0.99 extension
in the Microsoft Store.

HEVC is currently supported by only one Windows browser: Microsoft Edge.
While Apple TV+ works using Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, the resolution
and bitrate may not be the best.
"

It seems a kind of pessimistic proclamation. At a guess, at my house, I could only meet this, by going out and buying a new 4K display device, and then it would provide the display end. If I were to buy just an HD monitor (1920x1080), the manufacturer might not feel the need to implement the latest standard.
But higher res monitors can be so whizzy, you need a new video card to
keep up with them.

While this sounds nasty, enough of your setup is working, it's likely as you surmise,
to be a video card to monitor issue of some sort. Not a whizzy enough standard being used.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_Media_Path

You can see the hits just keep on coming here. Maybe 2.3 is secure ? Maybe ?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-bandwidth_Digital_Content_Protection

Paul

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On 14/04/2025 13:59, Ed Cryer wrote:

There's a crazy pattern of things that do work and things that don't. Channel4 works on all Windows computers that I have. They need Widevine installed in Firefox, but the monitors don't object; a Samsung TV, a JVC
TV, a laptop monitor all work ok.
The app works on my iPad, iOS; but when I screen-mirror to the Apple TV
both displays go blank.

The Apple TV is plugged into a Panasonic 48" TV.
So then, which device is the culprit? It's either the Apple TV or the Panasonic.

Ed

You need something like this:

<https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Bypassing-HDCP/#:~:text=Step%201:%20Method%201:%20Buy%20a%20HDMI,watch%20content%20and%20HDCP%20error%20is%20gone!>


HDCP stands for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection. It's a
digital copy protection technology developed by Intel to prevent
unauthorized copying of digital audio and video content as it travels
across connections like HDMI, DVI, and DisplayPort.
Purpose and Function:

Copy Protection:
HDCP encrypts the digital content stream to make it difficult to
copy or record without proper decryption.
Security Measures:
It also verifies that the receiving device is authorized to play
the content, preventing unauthorized access.
HDMI, DVI, and DisplayPort:
HDCP is a key component of these digital interfaces to protect
content during transmission.

Why HDCP Matters:

Preventing Piracy:
HDCP is designed to combat piracy by preventing illegal recording
and distribution of copyrighted content.

Streaming and Content Protection:
HDCP is crucial for streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, protecting
their content during transmission to your devices.
4K and Beyond:
HDCP 2.2 and later versions are essential for supporting the higher
bandwidth requirements of 4K and 8K content.

HDCP Errors:

Compliancy Issues:
HDCP errors can occur when devices or cables are not HDCP
compliant, leading to issues like black screens or video playback failure.

Troubleshooting:
To fix HDCP errors, you may need to ensure all devices and cables in
your setup are HDCP compliant, or try different HDMI ports or cables.
Bypassing HDCP (Caution):
While it's possible to bypass HDCP, doing so is not recommended and may violate copyright laws.



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On Mon, 4/14/2025 8:59 AM, Ed Cryer wrote:

Paul wrote:

On Sun, 4/13/2025 3:05 PM, Ed Cryer wrote:

I have an Apple TV. I recently installed Channel4 and ITVX apps on it, but with strange results. The picture is blank, but sound and subtitles are ok; as is picture on advertisements.
BBC iPlayer, YouTube, VLC etc work just fine.

This apparently has something to do with DRM. I think I need an HDCP-compatible cable, but my best attempts at googling haven't discovered one.

Ed

This is info from three years ago.

https://www.reddit.com/r/tvPlus/comments/ygrtwv/apple_tv_on_windows_not_playing_hd_or_4k_is_not/

ÿÿÿ "Playing protected content at 1080p or higher requires a protocol called HDCP 2.2.
ÿÿÿÿ Most monitors, laptops and tablets sold today are compatible with this standard and
ÿÿÿÿ should be able to stream without issues. 4K content, on the other hand, requires both
ÿÿÿÿ HDCP 2.2 and HEVC codec to work. The latter needs the user to buy a $0.99 extension
ÿÿÿÿ in the Microsoft Store.

ÿÿÿÿ HEVC is currently supported by only one Windows browser: Microsoft Edge.
ÿÿÿÿ While Apple TV+ works using Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, the resolution
ÿÿÿÿ and bitrate may not be the best.
ÿÿÿ "

It seems a kind of pessimistic proclamation. At a guess, at my house, I could
only meet this, by going out and buying a new 4K display device, and then it >> would provide the display end. If I were to buy just an HD monitor (1920x1080),
the manufacturer might not feel the need to implement the latest standard. >> But higher res monitors can be so whizzy, you need a new video card to
keep up with them.

While this sounds nasty, enough of your setup is working, it's likely as you surmise,
to be a video card to monitor issue of some sort. Not a whizzy enough standard being used.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_Media_Path

You can see the hits just keep on coming here. Maybe 2.3 is secure ? Maybe ? >>
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-bandwidth_Digital_Content_Protection

ÿÿÿ Paul

Thanks for that, Paul.
There's a crazy pattern of things that do work and things that don't. Channel4 works on all Windows computers that I have. They need Widevine installed in Firefox, but the monitors don't object; a Samsung TV, a JVC TV, a laptop monitor all work ok.
The app works on my iPad, iOS; but when I screen-mirror to the Apple TV both displays go blank.

The Apple TV is plugged into a Panasonic 48" TV.
So then, which device is the culprit? It's either the Apple TV or the Panasonic.

Ed

I would check the HDCP (High Definition Content Protection) version of the Panasonic.

The Apple TV likely feels quite comfortable on its end. But for a protected path, it needs confirmation the display implements a secure protocol. And you can see in Wikipedia, the nibbling away at HDCP version continues.

Companies can do one of two things. They can pretend to care.
Or, they can care. Some companies, go the extra mile to
inconvenience users, so that there is absolutely no chance
of being sued or charged under some law. For example, when you buy
Philips brand equipment, if DRM is involved, it's "vacuum sealed and air tight".
some other brands, a few "special key presses" and the facade falls off :-)

Paul

--- MBSE BBS v1.1.1 (Linux-x86_64)
* Origin: A noiseless patient Spider (3:633/280.2@fidonet)

On Tue, 4/15/2025 6:05 AM, Ed Cryer wrote:

Ed Cryer wrote:

I got it working, despite the Panasonic online chat help having failed.
He told me to 1. Unplug everything for 5 minutes; 2. Reboot router; 3. Try another HDMI cable. Plus a few other things.

I sat back and had a think; then I tried putting the Apple TV on a different HDMI input channel to the Panasonic, and bingo! It works.

Ed

This explains a lot. The HDMI sockets are round the back of the TV, and, as far as I can make out, have no different markings. Nor is there mention in the User manual, nor have I had any Google hit online.
But there are lots of people experiencing the same issue that I had.

Only one socket supports HDCP. Jeez! Guess which one it is, little purchaser!

Ed

Makes sense. One of the HDMI is the "computer" input.
It is a multi-scan port which handles VESA resolutions.

The other HDMI are HD/SD ports and take 1920x1080 or
whatever the SD value is. They don't have the same details
as the "computer" one. They should support fewer resolutions.

Usually, the manual would have a short section on the computer
one and mention it supports 640x480, 800x600 ... 1366x768 ... 3840x2160. Perhaps it won't bother to mention the HDCP aspect, but it really
should, as this issue of getting something other than a black screen
has come up before.

Paul

--- MBSE BBS v1.1.1 (Linux-x86_64)
* Origin: A noiseless patient Spider (3:633/280.2@fidonet)