HDCP Compatibility

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MattD

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#24914 6-Aug-2008 17:26

My father in law has an older Panasonic Viera TH 42PV500A plasma, which at the time we were told was HDCP. We cannot see any reference in the manual or online, however various forums and trademe sales have this stated as HDCP compliant. He is keen to get SKY HDi and wanting to determine compatibility,

A couple of questions

a) Does anybody have this TV and/or can confirm it receives HDCP signals from HDi

b) Are there different levels of HDCP support, eg could it have support but older version

b) If it is not HDCP, will you get any of the HD content (eg sport) is it just movies that are encrypted? What do you get over standard HDMI or Component?

sbiddle

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#154710 6-Aug-2008 17:55

I am assuming that this TV does have a HDMI connector and not just a DVI that you assume has HDCP?

If it's HDMI then I would be 99.9% certain that the TV supports HDCP.

Have you tried ringing Panasonic to check?

BazNZ

258 posts

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#154713 6-Aug-2008 18:16

I have recently purchased the latest Panasonic TH-50PY800 and couldn't find much info either as to HDCP compatibility. Until I looked in the Manual in the Technical Information under HDMI connection. It states..."These HDMI connectors are compatible with HDCP". The worry I see for you is that there is no mention what so ever of HDCP compatibility for the older Panasonic Viera TH 42PV500A. I have looked at the downloadable online manual for your father in laws HDTV and again no mention of HDCP. I personally would ring Panasonic NZ and ask them about this compatibility issue just to make sure. If no compatibility is available....then ask for some type of Firmware update for there older HDTV's to support HDCP...which I doubt will happen or at all even possible. If they can't help you with a compatibility fix... tell them you want to swap it for a Panasonic model that works with Freeview HD, MySkyHDi and BlueRay through its HDMI input. This is going to be an ugly topic for most consumers who have older HDTV's believing they could view HD at it's best through there HDMI connections (pure digital). Until the even uglier HDCP reared its ugly head ! Remember this is going to be a problem for all older HDTV brands without HDCP compatibility not just Panasonic.

richms

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#154797 6-Aug-2008 22:24

HDCP is part of the HDMI spec, so if it doenst have working HDCP on it then its a faulty port, and you have grounds for a nice problem that you can take up the foodchain till you get a resolution.

Since the HDi is so cool regardless, and I dont think they will do the old myskys anymore, you may as well get it and if there are HDCP problems, just use it in SD till you get a resolution to it, but I would think you will be fine.

Richard rich.ms

clevedon

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#154838 7-Aug-2008 08:06

Before we ordered MySky HDi, Sky asked if our TV had HDCP, we had ordered our new 50PY880, so rung Panasonic and they said it did and so did all of the Panasonics for the last few years previous ( didn't ask how far back ) So ring them, they are very helpful, if anyone knows - they will. 09 2720100.

MattD

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#154843 7-Aug-2008 08:32

Thanks for all replies.

Steve, yes was HDMI input (not DVI).

Baz, searched the pdf version of manual and had no references to HDCP where stating HDMI in various places.

Spoke to Panasonic on phone and very helpful. The gent mentioned it is compliant, however they currently have one of those models in for testing as it is not working correctly with a mySky HDi box. He suspected an isolated case either with that HDi box or that particular set.

Also received email this morning from Panasonic confirming support for HDCP

Thanks again

BazNZ

258 posts

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#154874 7-Aug-2008 10:26

That's good news Matt! I dread the day though a consumer who has purchased a HDTV 2-3 years or more ago prior to HDCP and runs into this potential problem. It would be good to know from all HDTV Manufacturer's exactly when they implemented HDCP compatibility into there products. Maybe they could list all HDTV models that are HDCP compatible. Would be peace of mind for there customer's knowing for sure.

MattD

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#154887 7-Aug-2008 10:47

Certainly does not help that a large amount of sales folk in major consumer electronics stores do not have adequate knowledge and make unqualified statements about product features that are not there or supported. I was in a HN store when this occurred on a couple of times, one selling features of an iMac that do not exist, another claiming Freeview HD on satellite (mid year last year), and 18mths ago another stating that the built in HD tuner in Plasma TV will pick up freeview HD.

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BazNZ

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#154896 7-Aug-2008 11:09

Yep found the same problem with the big retail stores who have staff just outta high school who knew less than me about the products they were selling.

Some of the info these fools were giving innocent un-informed customers made me cringe to the point I felt like butting in and taking over the sale...LOL. That was until I got a knowlegdable salesmen from Heathcoate Appliances 100% store who spent hours with me explaining and demonstrating the true facts and looked after my interests and needs. Great Service.

sbiddle

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#154906 7-Aug-2008 12:02

BazNZ: That's good news Matt! I dread the day though a consumer who has purchased a HDTV 2-3 years or more ago prior to HDCP and runs into this potential problem. It would be good to know from all HDTV Manufacturer's exactly when they implemented HDCP compatibility into there products. Maybe they could list all HDTV models that are HDCP compatible. Would be peace of mind for there customer's knowing for sure.

The reality is any TV approaching 3 years old probably doesn't have HDMI.

While it's fine blaming the retailers remember the real root cause is DRM and the requirement for broadcasters to force DRM on HD content.

MattD

663 posts

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#155034 7-Aug-2008 18:58

So there is something in the Marketing speak for "HD Ready"

On January 19, 2005, the European Information, Communications, and Consumer Electronics Technology Industry Associations (EICTA) announced that HDCP is a required component of the European "HD ready" label.

tungsten

23 posts

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#155229 8-Aug-2008 15:32

MattD:

My father in law has an older Panasonic Viera TH 42PV500A plasma, which at the time we were told was HDCP. We cannot see any reference in the manual or online, however various forums and trademe sales have this stated as HDCP compliant. He is keen to get SKY HDi and wanting to determine compatibility,
A couple of questions

a) Does anybody have this TV and/or can confirm it receives HDCP signals from HDi

I have this exact TV and had mysky hdi installed on Wednesday with no problems.

I rang Panasonic beofre ordering and was told it would be ok, as mentioned impossible to find any info online or in the manuals.

There were a few awkward moments where the tech said it wasn't compatible and the screen was blank..and then the HTCP connection kicked in, took about 45 seconds first time up witha couple of mysky restarts. Seems to take about 2 seconds to handshake thereafter

Shame, I was looking for an excuse for a new TV....

MattD

663 posts

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#155250 8-Aug-2008 16:31

Could use the excuse that not all channels are HD. and you need a built in Freeview HD tuner. Also the panel is only 768/ 1080i, so you need Full HD 1080p ;-)

Find a Freeview channel that the CFO watches and explain she will love it more in HD!!

thanks for feedback on HDi support