Are Chromebooks HDCP Compliant?

If you’re considering switching to a Chromebook, you’ll want to get as many details about the laptop as possible.

But finding out whether your Chromebook is HDCP compliant might not be as straightforward as you think. Of course, it’s better to find out before you make a purchase. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know.

HDCP Compliance Explained

If you’re not a tech-savvy person, chances are you’re not sure what HDCP compliance means. It seems that everyone’s talking about it, but what’s it all about?

HDCP stands for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection. It was developed to prevent playing HDCP-encrypted content on unauthorized devices. In other words, it’s an anti-piracy program. Most on-demand services, such as Netflix and HBO, use it to protect their content from online piracy.

Although nowadays most devices are HDCP compliant, it hasn’t become a standard yet. Moreover, there are a lot of low-quality copies that claim to be HDCP compliant, when they’re actually not. Therefore, one has to be very careful.

Are Chromebooks HDCP Compliant

There are lots of different types and generations of Chromebooks out there. Therefore, it’s difficult to say whether all are HDCP compliant. Some were designed long before people started paying attention to such content protection.

Until a couple of years ago, you weren’t able to watch on-demand video services using an Intel-powered Chromebook. As those services became more popular, the company announced that they were going to fix the issue.

Therefore, we can assume you’re looking for a latest generation of Chromebook. Most Chromebooks from 2019 are HDCP compliant, and you can watch on-demand content on them.

However, bear in mind that many ads state that Chromebooks are HDCP compliant, but that might not to be entirely true. That’s why we advise you to always ask for specifications of the particular Chromebook you’re interested in.

If you’re buying it from a previous owner, don’t believe everything they tell you. If they can’t prove that a Chromebook is HDCP compliant, that may be a red light for you to reconsider the offer.

Frequent Complains

Many people complain that they can’t use their Chromebooks to access all the content they want. In most cases, the type and price of the Chromebook didn’t play an important role. One could almost assume, therefore, that it’s a question of luck.

It also depends on what kind of movie service you use. Most Chromebook users experienced issues when they tried to access Vudu. As you know, Vudu is a legitimate website where you can buy or rent movies for a very reasonable price.

However, some Chromebooks interpret it as a threat and won’t allow you to download movies from Vudu. On the other hand, most Chromebooks will enable you to use Netflix. Since Vudu and Netflix are based on similar principles, it’s somewhat baffling to figure out why you can use one but not the other.

What Should You Do?

There’s nothing worse than purchasing a device and finding out that you can’t use your favorite services. If that’s an issue, we’ve got a couple of suggestions for you.

First of all, you should opt for the latest generation of Chromebook, if possible. Our expectations and the way we use our devices have changed a lot in the last few years. Therefore, a modern version of Chromebook would be a better fit for your needs.

Always check specifications of the model you’re interested in. If you can’t find the information you need on the website, don’t hesitate to send them an inquiry. After all, you have a right to know.

If you’re buying a used Chromebook always use a reliable website. Low price shouldn’t be the only defining factor because you can end up with something that doesn’t serve your needs. Ask the seller for proof that their Chromebook is HDCP compliant and check whether they used it to watch on-demand movies and TV shows.

Check Twice

If you don’t know something, don’t be afraid to ask. Check every piece of information twice, and make sure you know what you are buying. We hope that in the near-future, all devices will be HDCP compliant and that we won’t have to worry about issues like this. Until then, be careful!

Which Chromebook are you using? Are you satisfied with it? Can you watch movies on your Chromebook? Let us know in the comments section below.