Learn About HDCP

HDCP - What is it?

The latest iScan models offer HDCP compliance and scaling of HD sources over DVI. What does that mean?

High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) is a standard, developed by Intel, designed to protect digital video and audio signals transmitted over DVI connections between two HDCP-enabled devices.

A digital signal still retains perfect clarity, even after being copied an unlimited number of times. So, in order to protect copyright holders (movie studios, etc.) from having their programs copied and shared, the HDCP standard provides for the secure, encrypted transmission of digital signals.

HDCP functions across DVI and HDMI connections between two HDCP capable devices. The source device (such as a DVD player or HDTV tuner) encrypts the digital signal using the HDCP standard, then sends that signal over the DVI or HDMI link to the receiving device (HDTV, etc.). The receiving device decodes the signal using HDCP and uses the signal as it is allowed.

If one of your devices is HDCP compliant, but the other is not, then you cannot connect them using DVI or HDMI - you will get an error. However, you can still use the analog signal from the source device (eg: component video signal, S-video signal). HDCP does not apply to analog signals.

The FCC approved HDCP as a "Digital Output Protection Technology" on August 4th, 2004. FCC regulations require digital output protection technologies on all digital outputs from HDTV signal demodulators as of July 1st, 2005.

DVI

Digital Visual Interface (DVI) is a type of cable and connection created by the Digital Display Working Group (DDWG), a cooperative of technology companies including Silicon Image, Intel, Compaq, Fujitsu, HP, IBM and NEC.

The DVI 1.0 standard was originally created to enable digital-to-digital, high bandwidth data transfer between a computer and a flat screen monitor. However, because of DVI's ability to process high-bandwidth HDTV video, its use was expanded into the consumer electronics industry.

DVI is the fastest way to transfer data or video. Using DVI with a digital display device, such as a projector or flat screen monitor, will create an entirely digital-to-digital connection, providing the best quality image.

The DVI 1.0 specification defines the following terms:

DVI-D		Digital Only
DVI-I		Digital and Analog
Dual Link		Dual Link DVI supports 2x165 MHz (2048x1536 at 60 Hz, 1920x1080 at 85 Hz). A dual link implementation utilizes all 24 of the available pins.
Single Link		Single Link DVI supports a maximum bandwidth of 165 MHz (1920x1080 at 60 Hz, 1280x1024 at 85Hz). A single link implementation utilizes 12 of the 24 available pins.

HDMI

High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is the first industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. Based on the earlier DVI (video only) standard, HDMI provides an interface between any audio/video source, such as a set-top box, DVD player, and A/V receiver and an audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV). HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports 8-channel digital audio, with bandwidth to spare to accommodate future enhancements. HDMI does offer 'legacy' support of older DVI connections.