HDTV won't play HD content through HDMI cable

[robotec]

I have a 60" Philips Rear Projection CRT HDTV manufactured in June of 05. When trying to view downloaded Movies, trailers, etc from XBOB Live Market place, I recieve this error message, "secure HDCP link not found" via the HDMI port. I also get the same error message when trying to view standard DVDs through the disc drive. I don't have this problem when viewing DVDs through my Oppo upconvert DVD player on my TV via my HDMI port. Has anyone else had this problem? And if so, did you have a fix?

[Mr Peabody]

It sounds like even though your TV isn't that old it may not be HDCP compliant. The HDMI inside the TV has to have a friendly handshake for the HDMI signal coming in, or they don't play well. Yours was not equipped with the friendly handshake. HDCP is High Definition Copy Protection. Your owners manual may address whether your TV is compliant.

I don't know what you mean by watching DVD through the disc drive, which disc drive?

Did you set your cable box to HDMI and 1080i or 720p? I'm not sure how the Oppo gets around copy protection but from your error message I'd bet that's the problem. Unfortunately there isn't a fix. You'll have to use your component inputs or buy a new TV.

[bobsticks]

As usual, Mr. P. is on the right track, it's a "digital handshake" issue. I had the same problem with a Philips plasma. Not all HDMIs are created equal and my perception is that Philips lags behind the curve in modernity.

I couldn't find any solution so it was time to go TV shoppin'. Sorry.

[robotec]

Alright, since I'll be buying a new set. Any suggestions? I know I won't be getting a 60" for a decent price, so I'll settle on a 50". If there is one out there that is HDCP compliant and is under a $1000.00?

[Mr Peabody]

I don't believe your cable box will upconvert video and the most that comes from cable so far is 1080i, there really is no reason why you couldn't use your component video inputs. Component is fully capable of delivering 1080i. You'll have to connect your audio via the analog input but this is a better solution than buying a new TV. If you went with an HD disc player then it might be worth buying new, they would output 1080p and will only upconvert standard discs via HDMI.

[robotec]

When I hooked up the component cables to the 360, the picture looked pretty crappy.
I'm suspecting the 360 either is automatically down converting the signal to 480i, or the TV just gives 480i via component. I'm thinking the latter of the two. Live and learn I say. NO MORE PHILIPS TVS FOR ME.

[Mr Peabody]

What is the 360? Is that your TV model number, you aren't going through a Xbox first are you? Can you tell me exactly how you are connecting everything. Just so I know where you are at, you know the difference between composite (red/white audio & one yellow for video) and component which is a 3 terminal video hook up and then 2 more for audio? There shouldn't be much, if any, difference between the component and HDMI as far as video quality. If you used composite then there would be a significant drop in quality.

[robotec]

Oh sorry, the 360 is the XBOX 360. XBOX Live gives you the option of downloading HD content directly to the hard drive, then watching it on your TV via the HDMI cable input to the set. Looks like they allow you to play video games and play the XBOX arcade feature, but when attempting to watch the downloaded content or even a standard DVD via the disc drive, thats when the error message occurs. So as it stands now, I have the XBOX 360 and also an Oppo upconvert DVD player (non HDCP compliant) hooked up to ports 1 and 2 of a Terk 3:1 HDMI splitter with the output of the splitter connected to the HDMI input to the set. The Oppo works fine due to it not being HDCP compliant. However, the Toshiba HD-A3 ( which is now returned) doesn't show video either going through the splitter or direct connected. Same for the XBOX 360. Only gameplay no video movies, trailers, etc. So the only conclusion I've come to is the TV isn't HDCP compliant.

[Mr Peabody]

It does sound like you may need a more modern TV or at least one HDCP compliant, you have some newer gear that is HDMI based. I also think you may be correct on your assumption the 360 down converted the video. If it has copy guard they aren't going to allow a HD picture via component either.

[robotec]

And we are talking about a TV thats not even 3 years old. Oh well, thats the last Philips I'll ever buy.

[f0rge]

a side note to your 360 looking crappy through the components, did you switch the little switch on the cables themselves to "HDTV"? if not that could be your problem, with it switched it should look much better.

you could alternatively get the VGA adapter if your TV supports that type of connection, it should be close to the quality of the HDMI.

[pixelthis]

And we are talking about a TV thats not even 3 years old. Oh well, thats the last Philips I'll ever buy.


Its not just you're TV.
In the last three years the industry has gone from componet (analog) to DVI, then
hdmi 1.1, then hdmi 1.3.
Its a wonder anything works wiith anything.
The oppo is computer based optical drive, gives you a wider range of formats, and one reason for its popularity is no hdcp.
HDMI is great, but its their ball and bat and you're going to have to play by their rules,
but at least with robust copy protection maybe the paranoid studios (who are more scared of a nonexistent threat , the home consumer, than the real threat of Asian
bootlegging) will put out more titles:1: