HDCP unauthorised error message

[Katush+Home]

 Every time the TV is turned off and then we try and turn it on and watch something we have a blank black screen then eventually this comes on. Once we turn it off and back on again it works until the next time when the whole episode is repeated Ed! Surely there has to be a way to watch sky without doing this every time?

moderator note: made the title more descriptive.

[TimmyBGood]

@Katush+Home 

HDCP is digital encryption (copy protection) negotiated between a television and a source device over HDMI cable.

What make/model of television set is this, and which Sky device?

[Katush+Home]

So this is the TV Samsung UHD. I think it is not so old to not be compatible? Do i need to change something in the TV settings?

 

Moderator note: pictures removed as they may show serial numbers removed

[Katush+Home]

 

@TimmyBGood  please see below the TV and sky box for compatibility. Thank you so much for your help!

 

Moderator note: pictures removed as they may show serial numbers removed

[TimmyBGood]

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@Katush+Home wrote:

So this is the TV Samsung UHD. I think it is not so old to not be compatible?

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A UHD panel, yes, but given the manual appears to date from 2014 it's right in the area where HDCP 2.2 compliance (required for UHD unencryption from any commercial source) is a potential problem.

[Katush+Home]

@TimmyBGood @Oh dear so does that mean that the only way to resolve the problem is to get a new TV?

[TimmyBGood]

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@Katush+Home wrote:

does that mean that the only way to resolve the problem is to get a new TV?

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Once possible issues with HDMI cabling is ruled out, and you've tried things like checking if there are any firmware updates for the television available, then yes, that's probably the case.  Sets of that vintage just tend to be marginal on HDCP 2.2 compliance because the standard was only ratified in 2013, so by definition if a 2013-14 television has a 2.2 chipset then it's a very early one.

[TimmyBGood]

@Katush+Home 

The Samsung website appears to show much more recent firmware is available for that model, so this is certainly something to try if you can.

[M_T]

I had this issue, with exactly the same symptoms. I found going into settings and changing the picture resolution from 1080p to 1080i fixed the issue straight away. Fingers crossed this helps.

[m+cornthwaite]

This happened to me, I was using an incompatible HDMI cable. I changed this for the original cable that came with the puck and it worked straight away. TV is a Sony.

[hptechserv]

For anyone suffering this problem and you have used an alterntive HDMI cable it may well be that your TV is too old to support the HDCP signal from the Sky Q and/or Sky Stream Puck. Before you go and purchase a replacement TV try a simple HDMI splitter between the TV and the Sky box.

Search for one that has HDCP bypass. 

I had to do this to get Stream to work on a 17 year old Samsung Plasma TV. 

Hope this helps as Sky customer services wont suggest this to you.

[BRW1983]

The HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) unauthorized error message typically occurs when there is an issue with the digital connection between your TV and the device providing content, such as a Sky box. This error can manifest as a blank screen or a message indicating that the content cannot be displayed due to HDCP compliance issues. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of potential causes and solutions to this problem.

1. Check HDMI Connections

The first step is to ensure that all HDMI cables are securely connected. Loose connections can lead to signal loss, which may trigger the HDCP error. Make sure that:

The HDMI cable from your Sky box is firmly connected to both the Sky box and the TV.

If you are using any external devices (like AV receivers or soundbars), check their connections as well.

2. Use High-Quality HDMI Cables

Not all HDMI cables support HDCP, especially older or lower-quality ones. Ensure you are using high-speed HDMI cables that are certified for HDCP compliance. If possible, try replacing your current HDMI cable with a new one that meets these specifications.

3. Power Cycle Your Devices

Sometimes, simply power cycling your devices can resolve temporary glitches:

Turn off your TV and Sky box.

Unplug them from the power source.

Wait for about 30 seconds before plugging them back in and turning them on.

This process can reset any temporary issues affecting the HDCP handshake between devices.

4. Update Firmware/Software

Ensure that both your TV and Sky box have the latest firmware updates installed. Manufacturers often release updates to fix bugs and improve compatibility with various content protection standards like HDCP:

For your Sky box, navigate to settings and check for software updates.

For your TV, refer to its user manual on how to check for firmware updates.

5. Change Input Source

If you encounter the error after switching input sources (for example, from watching Sky to another device), try switching back and forth between inputs or selecting the correct input source again on your TV remote.

6. Check for Compatibility Issues

In some cases, older TVs may not fully support newer versions of HDCP (such as HDCP 2.2). If you have an older model TV, it might not be compatible with certain content provided by newer devices like 4K Sky boxes:

Consult your TV’s specifications regarding supported HDCP versions.

If compatibility is an issue, consider upgrading your television or using a different output method if available.

7. Bypass External Devices Temporarily

If you have additional devices connected (like receivers or splitters), try connecting directly from the Sky box to the TV without these intermediaries, this is will help determine if one of those devices is causing the issue