HDCP strippers

[Brad]

I don't have a recommendation yet, but I do have a "HDCP stripper" to AVOID.

My interest was piqued when I came across a broken English translation, and I later found two images associated with the device.

Adopting HDCP treaty processing technology
Input can decode, remove the HDCP agreement after HDCP, send out without HDCP HDMI signals, convenient back-end without HDCP decoding display device to receive.

The original name is Playvision HDV-8A, and I've also seen it called T780 (with no company name).

Website: http://www.hdmi-video.com/en/105.html
Alibaba blog post with much more info and slides: http://blog.china.alibaba.com/blog/json8/article/b0-i25296920.html

Here are the internals, for the curious:


Most listings including my eBay seller use generic names instead of any manufacturer or model number. The device itself is labelled "HD Video Converter - CVBS/HDMI to HDMI 720P/1080P" and the "User manual" (really a 5-page spec sheet) calls it "AV+HDMI TO HDMI Converter".

So, the disappointment. It does take in an encrypted signal and output it in the clear, but not without significant image processing along the way. For all combinations of input and output resolutions, the color is pumped up and tinted. The 60Hz output is always integer 60.00 fps instead of proper 59.94, even when fed with a proper HDMI signal. 720p -> 720p is rescaled instead of being passed through. 1080i -> 720p conversion is blurry. 1080p -> 720p conversion is inexplicably output at 20 fps (each frame is repeated 3 times).

Screenshots taken with the AVerTV follow.





Composite input (it does have a nice 3D comb filter, but no aspect ratio or any other settings available)


I saw one post on a foreign forum that indicated the ASK SA04 would do what we want, but it doesn't appear to be sold anywhere at all.

[Brad]

Got a nice one that includes HDMI in/out for $83 with shipping and tax. If you're a US resident you could probably buy it for $70 all in, maybe less if you really shop around.

I'd rather not publicize what it is to random surfers who happen through, so look for a YouTube video by the username rxmako. You can PM me for more info if needed. I went with option #2 in his video because I didn't want to be forced to run an optical cable from any source I may want to hook up. If you don't mind doing that, you could be stripping HDCP for under $50.

Downsides to this box:
- physical size (10 inches wide)
- 480p passed through it gives a garbled image on the AVerTV (yet looks fine on my TV...)

As you can see the image quality is not impacted with this device.

720p game image (compare to post above)

[raffie]

I am correct in assuming that if I were to get a device that looks like this:



and then hook the HDMI out from previous device to this:



This would give me a full solution in capturing HDMI (like any cable/sat box), directly compressed into H.264.
Right?

[mufunyo]

I am correct in assuming that if I were to get a device that looks like this:

I own that device, and it outputs slightly malformed HDMI with image glitching near the border of the image. My capture card won't capture it, but I can use it to view HDCP content on my DVI monitor without HDCP support. You could try it but depending on the source and capture hardware it might not work or only with the aforementioned glitching.

[raffie]

I own that device, and it outputs slightly malformed HDMI with image glitching near the border of the image. My capture card won't capture it, but I can use it to view HDCP content on my DVI monitor without HDCP support. You could try it but depending on the source and capture hardware it might not work or only with the aforementioned glitching.

Oh I see, that's not good at all... But it does seem to be the device in the youtube video (1st option).
And I can't make out the device in the 2nd option...

[steelahlive]

OLD FORUM I know - but figured I'd do my yearly check to see if anything had come about. I did through a lot of google searching find this posting in another forum about a Black Magic Intensity Pro (Clone) with HDCP Chip installed onboard. Wanted to throw this out there to some folks....wondering if anyone has used it.

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/dx-hdcp-bypass-capture-card-spotted-wild-cheap-133-60-f...pping-1212100/

I cannot verify the integrity of the post nor the device.
v/r
Steel

[danno78]

OLD FORUM I know - but figured I'd do my yearly check to see if anything had come about. I did through a lot of google searching find this posting in another forum about a Black Magic Intensity Pro (Clone) with HDCP Chip installed onboard. Wanted to throw this out there to some folks....wondering if anyone has used it.

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/dx-hdcp-bypass-capture-card-spotted-wild-cheap-133-60-f...pping-1212100/

I cannot verify the integrity of the post nor the device.
v/r
Steel

It is a Avermedia Capture HD clone. There are modded driver that ignore HDCP content for Avermedia card.

[steelahlive]

OLD FORUM I know - but figured I'd do my yearly check to see if anything had come about. I did through a lot of google searching find this posting in another forum about a Black Magic Intensity Pro (Clone) with HDCP Chip installed onboard. Wanted to throw this out there to some folks....wondering if anyone has used it.

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/dx-hdcp-bypass-capture-card-spotted-wild-cheap-133-60-f...pping-1212100/

I cannot verify the integrity of the post nor the device.
v/r
Steel

It is a Avermedia Capture HD clone. There are modded driver that ignore HDCP content for Avermedia card.

I see, so? Is it worth it? Either the original with hacked FW drivers or the clone with onboard HDCP chip?

[danno78]

The hardware is almost the same on both. The chip which handle HDMI in the clone come from ITE and for Avermedia come from Silicon Image. If the clone is chepear then is worth. In my area the original is cheaper.

Here are reports that with some drivers (original drivers from CD) Avermedia work with HDCP content:

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/341920-Need-Original-Drivers-for-Avermedia-AverTV-H...DVR-%28c027%29

[Seeker47]

The hardware is almost the same on both. The chip which handle HDMI in the clone come from ITE and for Avermedia come from Silicon Image. If the clone is chepear then is worth. In my area the original is cheaper.

Here are reports that with some drivers (original drivers from CD) Avermedia work with HDCP content:

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/341920-Need-Original-Drivers-for-Avermedia-AverTV-H...DVR-%28c027%29

I was curious how either iteration of this card might compare to the current Hauppauge Colossus (which I doubt has any means of evading HDCP associated with it), though this may in fact be academic, since the Avermedia Co27 seems to be off the market now (?), replaced by later models. So far, I only found a YT video comparing it to the HD-1212 USB . . . .

Other than a used Co27, that may just leave this foreign variant of the card.
Cauptain might be the one to ask about this.

[jagabo]

the Avermedia Co27 seems to be off the market now (?)

Isn't this it?
http://www.amazon.com/Avertv-Definition-Analog-Capture-MTVHDDVRR/dp/B002SQE1O0/
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815100049

[Seeker47]

the Avermedia Co27 seems to be off the market now (?)

Isn't this it?
http://www.amazon.com/Avertv-Definition-Analog-Capture-MTVHDDVRR/dp/B002SQE1O0/
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815100049

It could be, but nowhere on those pages is it explicitly identified as that model . . . and I have come across what appear to be some other -- presumably later ? -- models of theirs. In any case, the user reviews at those two sites tend to vary quite a bit, as regards the quality of results, the software, and the Avermedia support. Apart from dealing with the HDCP, the Colossus may have the upper hand in this comparison ?

[jagabo]

Apart from dealing with the HDCP, the Colossus may have the upper hand in this comparison ?

Maybe. But The Colussus is useless since it can't record HDCP protected HDMI.

[danno78]

It could be, but nowhere on those pages is it explicitly identified as that model . . . and I have come across what appear to be some other -- presumably later ? -- models of theirs.

In US these cards have different names.

In any case, the user reviews at those two sites tend to vary quite a bit, as regards the quality of results, the software, and the Avermedia support.

In one shop the ratting is show in eggs and the other in stars. From five, have four.
There is no support from Avermedia for capturing HDCP content.

[Seeker47]

Apart from dealing with the HDCP, the Colossus may have the upper hand in this comparison ?

Maybe. But The Colussus is useless since it can't record HDCP protected HDMI.

I should really know the answer to this by now, but I guess I'm confused, or don't recall: the signal coming OUT of your provider-supplied receiver box is still protected ? Even after the box has descrambled it ? Doesn't matter whether we're talking about a box from DISH, TWC, DirecTV, Cox, or U-Verse ? (I'm pretty sure the signal coming out via Component or less cannot still be protected . . . . )
Probably 'Yes', because that's what HDMI is mainly all about, and not the side benefit of being an all-in-one cable ? [Hey, I never tried to pass myself off as being one of the techies around here, 'cause I sure ain't.]

In that case, I guess we're screwed, with the rarest of exceptions.
Any further news about the Moone Mux-HD, or whatever it was that was forthcoming, last time I checked ?

[jagabo]

the signal coming OUT of your provider-supplied receiver box is still protected ? Even after the box has descrambled it ?

Yes. The signal is encrypted again before transmission over HDMI to prevent "stealing" the video.

Doesn't matter whether we're talking about a box from DISH, TWC, DirecTV, Cox, or U-Verse ?

That is correct. They all implement HDCP encryption and will not send a picture over HDMI without it.

(I'm pretty sure the signal coming out via Component or less cannot still be protected . . . . )

Actually, component can be protected. There is a flag in the signal that tells recorders not to record it (or to limit recording to playing on the recording device -- ie encrypt it). Fortunately, some recorders ignore that signal.

because that's what HDMI is mainly all about, and not the side benefit of being an all-in-one cable ?

Yes. There was no real need for HDMI. It was the back door through which HDCP was forced upon us.

In that case, I guess we're screwed

Yes.

Any further news about the Moone Mux-HD, or whatever it was that was forthcoming, last time I checked ?

Yes, information about it is scarce. Even at Moome's web site.
http://www.moomecard.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25&Itemid=23

[Seeker47]

In that case, I guess we're screwed

Yes.

Any further news about the Moone Mux-HD, or whatever it was that was forthcoming, last time I checked ?

Yes, information about it is scarce. Even at Moome's web site.
http://www.moomecard.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25&Itemid=23

In that case, the current field pretty much comes down to the above, the HD-Fury, and the Avermedia with the prior, withdrawn drivers . . . ? There has been plenty of discussion here about the relative merits (or otherwise) of the various HD-Fury models, including what versions you can or can't buy in different territories. At least a couple members here have one of these, and have used it. If the Moome is actually for sale now -- and that page seems to suggest that it is -- I'd want to hear about some VH or AVS members' experiences with it, before advancing any green.

[rcubed]

In that case, I guess we're screwed

Yes.

Any further news about the Moone Mux-HD, or whatever it was that was forthcoming, last time I checked ?

Yes, information about it is scarce. Even at Moome's web site.
http://www.moomecard.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25&Itemid=23

In that case, the current field pretty much comes down to the above, the HD-Fury, and the Avermedia with the prior, withdrawn drivers . . . ? There has been plenty of discussion here about the relative merits (or otherwise) of the various HD-Fury models, including what versions you can or can't buy in different territories. At least a couple members here have one of these, and have used it. If the Moome is actually for sale now -- and that page seems to suggest that it is -- I'd want to hear about some VH or AVS members' experiences with it, before advancing any green.

The Moome Mux-FHD works just fine. No problems

rcubed

[Seeker47]

The Moome Mux-FHD works just fine. No problems

rcubed

O.K., that's one report. But is Customs going to confiscate it, if we order it ? Does it have the sort of firmware limitation that's been imposed on the HD-Fury, for the U.S. market ? Or is it also based on some key that could be revoked at any time, rendering it useless ?

[rcubed]

The Moome Mux-FHD works just fine. No problems

rcubed

O.K., that's one report. But is Customs going to confiscate it, if we order it ? Does it have the sort of firmware limitation that's been imposed on the HD-Fury, for the U.S. market ? Or is it also based on some key that could be revoked at any time, rendering it useless ?

1) not in two cases I know of, highly unlikely

2) No firmware limitation for US market

3) There is always a possibility, but not likely, I wouldn't worry about it.

Contact Moome directly and he can answer any questions you might have

rcubed

[SteveDC]

the Avermedia Co27 seems to be off the market now (?)

Isn't this it?
http://www.amazon.com/Avertv-Definition-Analog-Capture-MTVHDDVRR/dp/B002SQE1O0/
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815100049

It could be, but nowhere on those pages is it explicitly identified as that model . . . and I have come across what appear to be some other -- presumably later ? -- models of theirs. In any case, the user reviews at those two sites tend to vary quite a bit, as regards the quality of results, the software, and the Avermedia support. Apart from dealing with the HDCP, the Colossus may have the upper hand in this comparison ?

Does anyone know if this captures AC3 etc... from the HDMI stream too? The AverMedia web page is VERY lacking on information about audio for this card.

BR,
Steve

[jman98]

The Moome Mux-FHD works just fine. No problems

rcubed

O.K., that's one report. But is Customs going to confiscate it, if we order it ?

I am a little late to this thread, but as much as I hate grave robbing, I do think this is worth saying.

Generally speaking, if you order ONE of anything that's not illegal, US Customs doesn't worry about it. Having said that, I have known of dumbasses who interpret that to mean "I can order as many as I want and start a business reselling them!" and then they find that, hmm, US Customs gets VERY interested in their shipments. It is NEVER a good thing when US Customs gets "interested" in your stuff. That often ends up with you losing your stuff to a seizure and having to spend a lot of time and money in courts suing Customs to get your stuff returned, even if Customs really doesn't have the right to keep it any more. If they take your stuff, they make you sue to get it back. And even if you win they still may delay giving it to you, forcing you to sue again to get what a court already said you could have. I'm not saying if you order, say, 10 of these devices that they will get seized. But I am also most definitely also not saying that seizure is impossible and I am most definitely telling you that if your stuff gets seized, it's gone and you probably ain't getting it back. If you order one you should be OK though.

[digitalfreaknyc]

The Moome Mux-FHD works just fine. No problems

rcubed

O.K., that's one report. But is Customs going to confiscate it, if we order it ? Does it have the sort of firmware limitation that's been imposed on the HD-Fury, for the U.S. market ? Or is it also based on some key that could be revoked at any time, rendering it useless ?

1) not in two cases I know of, highly unlikely

2) No firmware limitation for US market

3) There is always a possibility, but not likely, I wouldn't worry about it.

Contact Moome directly and he can answer any questions you might have

rcubed

What programs can you use to capture? No re-encoding takes place?

[jagabo]

Regarding key revocation: The HDCP master key has been leaked/cracked. Anyone can generate their own keys now. A device could be made which in which the key can be updated at any time. So revocation is now irrelevant.

[Seeker47]

Regarding key revocation: The HDCP master key has been leaked/cracked. Anyone can generate their own keys now. A device could be made which in which the key can be updated at any time. So revocation is now irrelevant.

Anyone ? I suspect you are likely quite a bit more technically adept than I am, based on various posts of yours I've read. Can YOU generate such a key, and apply it ? Wouldn't that be the test of this ? But for it to really be "Anyone", I think this would have to filter down to my level. (I can generally follow a really good set of step-by-step instructions . . . . )

[pgs92109]

Has anyone in the forum other than rcubed been able to successfully use the MUX-FHD device with the Hauppauge Colossus card (or any other video capture card) to record high definition 1080i HDMI output from a DirecTivo unit or DirecTV HD DVR on to a PC hard drive using the HDMI input on the Colossus?

[Brad]

Just buy the $80 or $50 cheapies I mentioned earlier in the thread.

[pgs92109]

Any issues with audio lagging slightly behind video on the recording using these devices?

[rcubed]

Has anyone in the forum other than rcubed been able to successfully use the MUX-FHD device with the Hauppauge Colossus card (or any other video capture card) to record high definition 1080i HDMI output from a DirecTivo unit or DirecTV HD DVR on to a PC hard drive using the HDMI input on the Colossus?

Just to be clear I have used the MUX-FHD with an Intensity Pro card and a Pegasus card w/o problems. Just remember capturing 1080i HDMI raw consumes a LOT of disk space and probably requires at least a RAID0 configuration. I use a RAID0 with 3-2TB Black WD Drives. I captured a 1920x1080i source recently and it took 759G of disk space for a 1 hr 43 min movie for the Intensity Pro. The Pegasus does about a 5:1 compression, but no longer use that card since I got the Intensity Pro.

rcubed

[pgs92109]

rcubed,

Thanks for the info. Right now I'm using Colossus but am looking to get a high end computer like yours that can run Black Magic Intensity Pro. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of storage are you using to permanently store 759G files?