HDCP: Help Me Comply

[Dtrain]

I managed to get a 32 inch LCD monitor that can display up to 1080i for an amazing price (free qualifies as amazing, IMO.) The only problem is, the thing isn't HDCP compliant - though it does have a DVI input. So what I need is a way to bypass the HDCP in order for my PS3 signal to be displayed on this monitor.

I did a little searching around, and I was able to find a few HDCP strippers. My concern is that in the process, most of these devices convert the HDMI into VGA. (Example: HDFury2) It seems like the ideal scenario for me would be HDMI in, DVI out - unless my relative noobishness to this sort of A/V topic is blinding me from some obvious truth.

Am I being too picky about the VGA output? Does anyone have experience with these sort of devices or HDCP problems? Is it worth my money? Is this sort of thing even legal, strictly speaking?

(The sound output is another matter, and if worst comes to worse, I know the PS3 will allow you to output sound through analog, so I'm not worried about this.)

[Trippy]

Can't comment on the quality issues.

IANAL (but I sometimes pretend like I know what I'm talking about on the Internet) but here in the US it's illegal to circumvent digital "access controls" on copyrighted content and HDCP, to me, is an access control mechanism since you get no picture at all if your PS3 to display chain doesn't support HDCP from end to end.

http://www.chillingeffects.org/anticircumvention/faq.cgi#QID94

[Dtrain]

Interesting read, thanks for the link.

It seems that the US law only provides for prosecution if the offense is "willful" (check,) "and for commercial or private financial gain," (no check.)

With regards for the manufacturers of these devices, the liability is certainly more questionable. The only possible argument I can see is the DMCA defining circumvention devices as "devices (that) have limited commercially significant purposes other than circumvention," which may explain why these devices all seem to output in analog. In any event, I certainly wouldn't want to be selling these devices.

I'm still not sure what I'm going to do, but if I were in that small class of early adopters who bought an HDTV that didn't have HDCP compliance I would be so pissed if I were caught in this web.

[Salamok]

I'd just settle for the VGA out, 95% of the time you probably won't even notice a quality difference between VGA and DVI.  My last vid card required me to use vga for my 2nd monitor and it didn't bother me in the least.  Also, make sure the solution you pick is accounting for the audio stream during the conversion process as well (ie hdmi in=>vga+audio out).

Avoiding having to purchase a new monitor that is HDCP compliant might constitute financial gain, of course I am not a lawyer I just play one on the internets.