10. Technologies
MODEX-F15-OPTS, MODEX-F15-OPTM series – User's Manual
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10.2. HDCP Management
Lightware Visual Engineering is a legal HDCP adopter. Several
functions have been developed which helps to solve HDCP related
problems. Complex AV systems often have both HDCP and non-HDCP
components. The matrix allows transmitting HDCP encrypted and
unencrypted signals. The devices will be still HDCP compliant as they
will never output an encrypted signal to a non-HDCP compliant display
device. If an encrypted signal is switched to a non-compliant output, a
red screen alert or muted screen will appear.
10.2.1.
Protected and Unprotected Content
Many video sources send HDCP protected signal if they detect that
the sink is HDCP capable – even if the content is not copyrighted. This
can cause trouble if an HDCP capable device is connected between
the source and the display. In this case, the content cannot be viewed
on non-HDCP capable displays and interfaces like event controllers.
Rental and staging technicians often complain about certain laptops,
which are always sending HDCP encrypted signals if the receiver
device (display, matrix router, etc.) reports HDCP compliancy. However,
HDCP encryption is not required all the time e.g. computer desktop
image, certain laptops still do that.
To avoid unnecessary HDCP encryption, Lightware introduced the
HDCP enabling/disabling function: the HDCP capability can be
disabled in the Lightware device. If HDCP is disabled, the connected
source will detect that the sink is not HDCP capable, and turn off
authentication.
10.2.2.
Disable Unnecessary Encryption
HDCP Compliant Sink
Protected
content
HDCP-compliant
sink
Encrypted
signal
Encrypted
signal
Optical
cable
MODEX
receiver
MODEX
transmitter
HDMI/DVI/DP
cable
HDMI/DVI/DP
cable
All the devices are HDCP-compliant, no manual setting is required, both
protected and unprotected contents are transmitted and displayed on
the sink.
Not HDCP-compliant Sink 1.
Unprotected
content
Non-HDCP
compliant sink
Non-encrypted
signal
Non-encrypted
signal
Optical
cable
MODEX
receiver
MODEX
transmitter
HDMI/DVI/DP
cable
HDMI/DVI/DP
cable
Not-HDCP compliant sink is connected to the matrix. Some sources
(e.g. computers) always send HDCP encrypted signals if the receiver
device reports HDCP compliancy, however, HDCP encryption is
not required all the time (e.g. computer desktop image). If HDCP is
enabled in the matrix, the image will not be displayed on the sink.
Setting the HDCP parameter to Auto on the output port and disable
HDCP on the input port, the transmitted signal will not be encrypted
if the content is not protected. Thus, non-HDCP compliant sinks will
display non-encrypted signal.
Not HDCP-compliant Sink 2.
Protected
content
Non-HDCP
compliant sink
Encrypted
signal
Optical
cable
MODEX
receiver
MODEX
transmitter
HDMI/DVI/DP
cable
HDMI/DVI/DP
cable
The layout is the same as in the previous case: non-HDCP compliant
display device is connected to the matrix but the source would send
protected content with encryption. If HDCP is enabled on the input
port of the matrix, the source will send encrypted signal. The sink
is not HDCP compliant, thus, it will not display the video signal (but
blank/red/muted/etc. screen). If HDCP is disabled on the input port
of the matrix, the source will not send the signal. The solution is to
replace the display device to an HDCP-capable one.
