In 2018, the new HDCP 2.3 protocol was adopted. Many people wonder if my TV supports HDCP 2.2, and if I bought a device that supports HDCP 2.3, will they work properly? I have researched this question, and the answer is yes; if you have a TV with HDCP 2.2, it will work with another device that supports HDCP 2.3.
Why you need HDCP?
You should know that the HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) protocol is required to display copyrighted video. If the video contains copyright metadata, it can only be displayed and transmitted over HDMI or USB C in encrypted form. Here’s an example of using HDCP: You have a TV and bought a Roku streaming device. HDCP is needed to watch new movies but not copy them.
How HDCP works?
When studios create movies and make digital copies, the movie’s metadata indicates that it is copyrighted. This video can only be transmitted via an encrypted protocol to a display device (such as a TV). Encryption is accomplished using special chips (security modules) produced, for example, by Synopsys.
For example, your laptop has a transmitter chip (TX) in the HDMI OUT port, and a TV with an HDMI In port has a receiver chip (RX). You are logged into your Netflix account and want to watch new movies. Upon connecting your laptop to the TV, a data exchange occurs between the devices, particularly through the HDMI ports. Security chips exchange encryption keys and establish a secure protocol. As you begin to watch a movie with protective metadata, you can enjoy it seamlessly on the built-in display. However, the video transmitted over HDMI is securely encrypted. Video is encoded and sent to another device through HDMI in an encrypted form via the HDMI port. If your TV does not support the required HDMI protocol, you cannot watch the movie on your TV.
Differences between HDCP 2.3 and HDCP 2.2?
The HDCP 2.2 protocol was developed in 2013; this protocol has been enhanced and is incompatible with previous versions.
The HDCP 2.3 protocol was developed in 2018 and differs from the HDCP 2.2 protocol.
- Improved encryption scheme.
- Added, blocking the transfer of high-value content on HDCP-enabled devices to devices with HDCP below version 2.2.
HDCP 2.3 and HDCP 2.2 compatibility
HDCP 2.3 is backward compatible with HDCP 2.2. and vice versa. What does this mean for you as a user of different HDCP 2.2 and HDCP 2.3-enabled devices? At this time, you will notice absolutely no problems connecting different devices.
