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HDCP via Display Port

post #1 of 10
11/20/08 at 3:01pm
Thread Starter 
There is a big brouhaha happening because users feeding VGA devices over Display Port from the new MacBooks are having iTunes Video content refuse to play as the external displays are not HDCP compliant. One would think that this would affect Apple Cinema Displays over DVI as well, but the articles so far have not been very detailed. This is a recent version of the story from Macrumors.

While the predictable result has been a massive hue and cry about people not being able to watch their bought and paid for material (I'm with them there), this does indicate that in the future the new Display Port Macs should be capable of playing the heretofore AppleTV only HD movie rentals and potentially support Blu-ray as well to HDCP compliant displays.

It will be interesting to find out exactly what Apple has implemented in OS X, iTunes and hardware when the dust settles. One immediate question is whether HDCP works correctly when connected via Display Link to DVI to HDMI to HDTVs.
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post #2 of 10
11/21/08 at 5:03am
There's an interesting discussion about this on Slashdot.
It seems that since Apple has gotten involved in the sale of content (music, films, etc.), parts of OS X have been modified to meet the requirements of the content providers instead of Apple's customers. This may be the most extreme example of that.
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post #3 of 10
11/21/08 at 5:53am
My question is regarding the use of HDCP and DisplayPort, but it's not directly related to this topic ... but I'll ask anyways.

If the Mac mini gets updated (and it follows the lead of the Macbook) with a miniDisplayPort (or even a standard DisplayPort), is there any way to convert that to HDMI with HDCP intact? I have been planning on getting a mini when they update it with the latest goodies, but the addition of DisplayPort and HDCP protection on iTS content has me worried.

Anyone know if Apple is planning on making DP to HDMI adapters?

Also, does DP carry audio?

ft
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post #4 of 10
11/21/08 at 6:47am
Quote:


One immediate question is whether HDCP works correctly when connected via Display Link to DVI to HDMI to HDTVs

I've read some reports online from Mac users successfully connecting to their HDTV with the mini-DisplayPort-to-DVI adaptor and a DVI-to-HDMI cable--so it should just be a matter of time before we hear how similar iTunes/HDCP content--not necessarily HD content--works going this way. Somebody here with a new Macbook should just try Hellboy 2.

Quote:


this does indicate that in the future the new Display Port Macs should be capable of playing the heretofore AppleTV only HD movie rentals and potentially support Blu-ray as well to HDCP compliant displays.

Agreed.

Quote:


If the Mac mini gets updated (and it follows the lead of the Macbook) with a miniDisplayPort (or even a standard DisplayPort), is there any way to convert that to HDMI with HDCP intact?

That's a very big "if." But, if folks do get the HDCP iTunes content to work with the new Macbooks, it would be safe to assume it would also work with an updated mini.

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Anyone know if Apple is planning on making DP to HDMI adapters?

I don't think anyone knows the answer to this just yet.

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Also, does DP carry audio?

The DisplayPort standard itself supports audio.

Now, whether Apple plans to allow audio over the Mini DisplayPort is another question, and right now we don't know the answer--since DVI and VGA (obviously) don't carry audio.
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post #5 of 10
11/21/08 at 8:57am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chefklc View Post

...The DisplayPort standard itself supports audio.

Now, whether Apple plans to allow audio over the Mini DisplayPort is another question, and right now we don't know the answer--since DVI and VGA (obviously) don't carry audio.

I think the answer is clearly "yes". The new 24" Apple Cinema Display has speakers (alas), so audio is going via Display Port.


So far as an updated Mini -- clearly all Macs going forward will have Display Port (Mac Pros may keep a DVI as well, or maybe simply go dual Display Port). So anything that works on a new MacBook now will work on a future Mini.
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post #6 of 10
11/21/08 at 9:19am
Clearly Yes on Audio?
They could certainly be doing the audio (as well as the iSight camera) via the USB connection between the MacBooks and the new 24" Display...
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post #7 of 10
11/21/08 at 9:47am
I seem to recall reading somewhere that audio is handled via USB on the new display.
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post #8 of 10
11/22/08 at 3:05am
Quote:
One would think that this would affect Apple Cinema Displays over DVI as well

There's an interesting (and still unconfirmed) nugget in this thread over at Ars techinca:

http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/...1#711003375931

someone seems to think that all the currently shipping displays from Apple are HDCP compliant, that they were quietly upgraded 1+ years ago...
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post #9 of 10
11/26/08 at 9:24am
Thread Starter 
Apple released a Quicktime update yesterday (available through Software Update) that fixes the Display Port HDCP issue with iTunes SD movies.

Also, speaking of DRM, there are indications that the non-EMI major record label war against Apple (offering DRM free music to everyone BUT Apple/iTunes) is crumbling. A bunch of Warner and Sony albums have been spotted in iTunes Plus (Gnarls Barkley's St. Elswhere for example) and there are rumors of ongoing talks between Apple & the majors. If music DRM goes away completely, that would be HUGE, leaving the final battle to be the release of Lossless albums/tracks.
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post #10 of 10
11/26/08 at 10:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ted Todorov View Post

If music DRM goes away completely, that would be HUGE, leaving the final battle to be the release of Lossless albums/tracks.

Agreed, Ted. That would open an opportunity for the 'normal' tracks to be plus version (DRM free at the higher bit rate)-
then add lossless; even at a small up charge....

Looks like with the quick Quicktime fix responds to the clamor out there -
good omen...

ken
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