DisplayPort vs Analog Connectors for HDCP Support
Short answer
D DisplayPort is a digital interface that supports High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) for securing copyrighted audio/video content.
Question
Key Takeaways
The question tests knowledge of digital vs. analog video standards; only digital interfaces like DisplayPort, HDMI, and DVI-D can support HDCP, while analog options like VGA and DVI-A cannot.
Identify the video connector that supports HDCP copy protection. DisplayPort is the correct digital interface choice among analog alternatives like VGA and DVI-A.
Common mistake: Choosing DVI-A is a frequent error because candidates recognize DVI as a digital format but fail to notice the 'A' suffix, which denotes Analog-only transmission, rendering it incapable of carrying HDCP encryption.
Expert Analysis
Digital Content Protection Standards
The core principle tested here is the ability to distinguish between analog and digital video interfaces, specifically regarding their support for copy-protection protocols like High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP). HDCP is a form of digital encryption developed by Intel to prevent unauthorized copying of digital audio and video content as it travels across connections. Because it relies on digital signal integrity, it cannot be applied to purely analog signals.
Analysis of Options
- DisplayPort (D): This is a digital interface standard. It natively supports HDCP, making it suitable for transmitting protected content from sources like Blu-ray players, streaming devices, and graphics cards to monitors or TVs without degradation or legal violation. Comments in the community correctly identify DisplayPort as a primary example of a connector that supports this protection scheme alongside HDMI and DVI-D.
- VGA (C): Video Graphics Array is an analog standard. Since it transmits voltage levels rather than digital data packets, it cannot carry HDCP encryption. Any attempt to use VGA with protected content would require conversion, which typically breaks the HDCP chain or results in black screens.
- DVI-A (A): Digital Visual Interface has three variants: DVI-I (Integrated), DVI-D (Digital only), and DVI-A (Analog only). While DVI-D supports HDCP, DVI-A carries only analog signals and therefore does not support HDCP. This is a common trap for those who assume all DVI connectors are digital.
- F-type (B): These are coaxial connectors used primarily for RF signals in cable TV and satellite installations. They do not support digital HDCP streams.
Conclusion
Only DisplayPort among the choices is a digital interface capable of supporting HDCP. DVI-A is analog-only, VGA is analog-only, and F-type is for RF.
Exam Strategy
When analyzing video connectors, always check if the option specifies 'A' (Analog) or 'I' (Integrated) versus 'D' (Digital). For any question involving DRM, HDCP, or high-resolution digital signals, eliminate analog-only options immediately. Remember that HDMI, DisplayPort, and DVI-D are the standard digital interfaces that support HDCP, while VGA and DVI-A do not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can DVI-D support HDCP?
What is HDCP?
Community Votes
100% of anonymous learners picked answer D. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.
Discussion 3 contributions
Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.
From public community threads 3
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H2air 👍 2 Answered DHigh-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) is a form of digital copy protection developed by Intel Corporation to prevent copying of digital audio and video content as it travels across connections. Types of connections include DisplayPort (DP), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), and High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), as well as less popular or now deprecated protocols like Gigabit Video Interface (GVIF) and Unified Display Interface (UDI).
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Afie 👍 1 Answered DHDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is a digital copy-protection technology used to prevent unauthorized copying of protected audio/video content. DisplayPort supports HDCP and is commonly used with: Monitors TVs Graphics cards Streaming and Blu-ray content
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acf9805 👍 1 Answered D176. D — DisplayPort 🧸 DisplayPort supports HDCP, which protects copyrighted digital video/audio. 🔐🎥
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