HBO Blocks non-HDCP HDMI Outputs on DirecTV Boxes

There had been rumors of clamp-downs on non-HDCP broadcasting of digital content for years, but so far it's been more myth and "we can do this if we want to" than "we're actually doing it". Not anymore. Last week reports came in that some DirecTV subscribers were getting on-screen messages informing them that their non-HDCP outputs were being disabled and they'd have to switch to component video (see the photo, courtesy of theverge.com). What's odd, is that the message only had to do with HBO channels. Why is this even an issue in an age of HDMI-on-everything-including-your-refrigerator? Because early adopters to HDTV - you know, those people who paid thousands of dollars to help fund the low-cost TV production we now enjoy - received sets that pre-dated HDCP. Often, these sets had DVI inputs. It was only after the initial push of digital and HD sets that HDMI with its HDCP copyright protection hit the scene.

The exact nature and extent of the non-HDCP lockdown isn't fully known, but reports include the HR20 and the THR22 TiVo. While DirecTV never alerted its customers to the change (which may have been tactical), customer support leaked that HBO (in particular) required the change no later than April 12th. Customer support for DirecTV also offered to send component video cables to at least one customer to help remedy the situation.

So far, it looks like HBO is keeping silent, but DirecTV seems to have confirmed that there is now an HDCP requirement "for premium channels when using HDMI connections". What we don't yet know is whether or not the component video outputs are limited to standard definition (Editor's Note: please let us know in the forums link below if you can confirm the resolution after having received this message from DirecTV). What's odd is that it's often easier (certainly more widespread) to capture HD signal off an analogue transmission medium, so HD over component would actually be a step backwards in terms of copyright protection of content than allowing non-HDCP material to transmit over HDMI.

These types of adjustments aren't terribly awful except for one big difference - they are affecting existing hardware that is already sold. Even Blu-ray's analogue sunset had to do with a cut-off date whereby newer hardware would only output HD via HDMI... it never affected older players. This development with HBO is changing the way consumers can consume content right now, on existing set top boxes.

And before you brush that off, consider older installations where inputs and advanced control systems are already configured to use DVI rather than component video. There could be some serious costs involved in just this simple change. And if component video doesn't support at least 1080i, then the change is actually detrimental or will require a new television. That's a lot to swallow for premium channels.

What's absolutely amazing about all of this is that it's the subscribers that pay for HBO (and other premium channels) and they are the ones being inconvenienced. It's almost like the industry has to periodically remind people why pirating content is so attractive (to some) in the first place and why it is so prevalent.If you pay for content and can't get it in the format you require, what does that say about the content provider's opinion of your needs vs. their own ill-conceived concept of, and need for, added security?