Mac DisplayPort won’t output to some switchers (UPDATED)
December 15th, 2010UPDATE: Since meeting with Benoit Lamy at Analog Way I’ve been shown that it is possible to avoid this problem, without additional external devices. As of firmware version 5, it is possible to disable HDCP individually on each digital input of the Diventix II.
If you’re using a Apple Macintosh computer with a DVI or HDMI output, simply turn off the HDCP (in the Diventix: INPUT -> DHCP -> DISABLE.
If you’re using a Blu-ray player (or similar) that will not function without HDCP confirmation, ENABLE it. Be warned though, your ENTIRE workflow then needs to be HDCP compliant.
I’ve experienced this problem on and off since the DisplayPort MacBooks first came out. Plug in a DP to VGA adapter, and you’re off to the races. Try using a DP to DVI adapter, and many commercial devices (Analog Way DiVentix for one) will not receive the signal.
I knew it was due to the HDCP protocols (the same copy-protection used to keep you from making digital copies directly from your Blu-Ray player), but never really understood some of the peculiarities of when it does and doesn’t work.
Then I stumbled upon Steve Wylie’s blog Serial Digital. Not only does it explain the phenomenon, but in the comments you’ll see useful workarounds to the issue.
Essentially they boil down to three:
- Don’t use a HDCP enabled output. So stick with the VGA/XGA you’ve loved for so long. But then you miss living in full digital glory.
- Use a cheap Cat-5 to DVI tranceiver pair to trick the Apple machine into thinking no HDCP is required.
- Use a Gefen DVI Detective or similar EDID-locking device, as long as it doesn’t pass through HDCP information.
What I’d like to know is why there isn’t a better way for Apple to protect it’s precious content, without protecting MY regular ol’ boring content. I own it! Let me display it without protection. Please.
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