HDCP stands for High Definition Content Protocol (Police?) and is a copy protection scheme to eliminate the possibility of capturing content sent digitally from the source to the display.

Why should you care? Because apparently, it doesnt always work, and then you get no picture, or a degraded one.

Can you avoid it? Maybe now, but probably not eventually.

This is an authentication process whereby the two devices hooked together determine that its an authorized hookup (remember the content owners, fearful of copyright infringement, are behind this.) Its the hearty handshake of electronica.

HDCP scrambles the audio and video flowing from one place to the other via HDMI, preventing unauthorized eavesdropping (copying, etc.). The format enables a secure connection between devices such as DVD players and HDTV set-top-boxes using an authentication and key exchange procedure before video and audio is presented.

But, you say, someone will figure out a work-around and sell it on the black market. Now get this: theres a permission-revocation system by which incoming content updates a list of blacklisted devices! Your cable box might transmit the kill order to whatever is deemed unauthorized.

Scientific Atlantas 8300HD box is reportedly balking at many legitimate connections.

Your option would be to watch a down-res picture instead of high definition. It will not affect your ability to display HDTV if the source connection is Component or RGB (VGA). HDCP is designed to protect digital signals used in DVI and HDMI.

Birthing pain or serious problem ahead? Time will tell!