HDCP

Technology & Computing abbreviation · Consumer Electronics

HDCP
Stands forHigh-bandwidth Digital Content Protection
CategoriesTechnology & Computing

HDCP stands for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, a consumer electronics abbreviation.

Copy-protection system that encrypts video sent over HDMI, DisplayPort and DVI, so protected content plays only on authorized displays. Version 2.2 or later is needed for 4K streaming and Ultra HD Blu-ray.

Example: The screen went black with an HDCP error because the old splitter doesn't support HDCP 2.2.

Usage notes

Intel developed HDCP around 2000; its licensing is handled by Digital Content Protection LLC, an Intel subsidiary. A master key for HDCP 1.x leaked in 2010, but the system remains in use. Older receivers, splitters, capture cards and cables in the chain often cause blank screens or reduced resolution when they lack the required HDCP version.

More consumer electronics abbreviations

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  • FOV – Field of view
  • FPS – Frames per second
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  • HD – High definition
  • HDR – High dynamic range
  • HDR10 – High Dynamic Range 10
  • HDTV – High-definition television
  • Hi-Fi – High fidelity
  • HLG – Hybrid log-gamma
  • HMD – Head-mounted display

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Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.