10. Technologies
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 receiver 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
Encrypted signal
HDMI cable
Protected
content
All the devices are HDCP-compliant, no manual setting is required, both protected and unprotected contents
are transmitted and displayed on the sink.
Encrypted signal
OUT
OUT
AUDIO IN
CONTROL
RS-232
LIVE
IN 1
RESET
AUDIO OUT
IN 2
HDMI cable
OUT 2 AUTO
OUT 1 AUTO
IN 4
IN 3
L
R
IR IN
IR OUT
TX RX
LAN
OUT 1
OUT 2
SET AUDIO
VIDEO SELECT
VIDEO SELECT
CONFIG
MMX4x2 series matrix
MMX4x2 series – User's Manual
Not HDCP-compliant Sink 1.
Unprotected
content
Non-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
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
HDCP-compliant
the video signal (but blank/red/muted/etc. screen). If HDCP is disabled on the input port of the matrix, the
sink
source will not send the signal. The solution is to replace the display device to an HDCP-capable one.
Non-encrypted signal
OUT
OUT
AUDIO IN
CONTROL
RS-232
LIVE
IN 1
RESET
HDMI cable
AUDIO OUT
IN 2
OUT 1 AUTO
IN 3
OUT 2 AUTO
IN 4
OUT 1
OUT 2
SET AUDIO
L
R
IR IN
IR OUT
TX RX
LAN
VIDEO SELECT
VIDEO SELECT
CONFIG
MMX4x2 series matrix
Encrypted signal
OUT
OUT
HDMI cable
AUDIO IN
CONTROL
RS-232
AUDIO OUT
LIVE
IN 1
IN 2
RESET
OUT 1 AUTO
IN 3
OUT 2 AUTO
IN 4
OUT 1
OUT 2
SET AUDIO
L
R
IR IN
IR OUT
TX RX
LAN
VIDEO SELECT
VIDEO SELECT
CONFIG
MMX4x2 series matrix
89
Non-encrypted signal
HDMI cable
Non-HDCP
compliant sink
HDMI cable
Non-HDCP
compliant sink
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