Copy protection has been around just as long as home television sets, so that’s nothing new. HDCP, or High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection, has been used on HDMI connections for over a decade, so that is also nothing new. Therefore let me introduce you to HDCP 2.2-  the latest version of technological security which has the specific purpose of preventing 4K Ultra HD content from being copied through a HDMI connection. As our television picture and resolution quality increases, so too does the need for a more refined copy protection method. Hence the updated HDCP. The 2.2 specification has been created to protect 4K content, and is a requirement for 4K TVs in order to show 4K resolution content. It forms a secure connection via a ‘digital handshake’ between the source and the display.

Why Should I Care?

If you want to stick with 1080p for now, then you don’t need to worry about HDCP 2.2. If you would like 4K content, then not only do you require a 4K TV- you require one which has HDCP 2.2. Current and future 4K Ultra High Definition content is likely to be compatible with HDCP 2.2, therefore if you are in the market for a new 4K television, you should be looking towards those which refer to HDCP 2.2. Whilst many 4K TV’s that are already out there support HDMI 2.0, they do not have HDCP 2.2 technology. This means even though they have a 4K TV, cannot access 4K content (what a waste of a purchase!).  As the 4K TV rises in popularity, we will be seeing 4K Blu-ray players and other media players come to market. Here is where HDCP 2.2 is so important for you to have on your 4K television. As HDCP 2.2 is added through hardware, there is no option to update your incompatible 4K TV with HDCP 2 2 via a firmware update.

Why would a 4K TV not have HDCP 2.2?

Simply put, a 4K TV may not have HDCP 2.2 compatibility purely so the manufacturers can save on costs. Most earlier versions of 4K Ultra were made with limited bandwidth on some HDMI 2.0 terminals and/or a lack of HDCP 2.2 on others. If you have one of these, you may have to send video directly from your Blu-ray player to your display (bypassing your receiver). 

How Can We Help?

I have already purchased a 4K Ultra High Definition TV without HDCP 2.2 capability.

Have no fear, whilst there isn’t a way to ‘update’ your TV to HDCP 2.2 compatibility, you can purchase the Blustream HDCP11AB HDCP 2.2 Upgrade which is a simple plug and play solution for those annoying issues between HDCP 2.2 4K content and older generation 4K TV’s.

I have recently purchased a 4K Ultra High Definition TV with HDCP 2.2 inbuilt and I want the media accessories to go with it.

Easy. Just search ‘HCDP 2.2’ in our search bar for a list of products which will connect you and your TV to 4K content.