A device that removes High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) from an HDMI signal effectively circumvents the copy protection protocol. This allows an HDMI source signal to be displayed or recorded on devices that are not HDCP compliant, or to be used in configurations where HDCP compatibility issues arise. For instance, an older projector lacking HDCP support could still display content from a Blu-ray player when such a device is utilized.
The primary benefit lies in enabling compatibility between disparate HDMI devices and systems. This is particularly relevant in scenarios involving legacy equipment, complex video routing setups, or situations where HDCP handshaking failures lead to signal loss or image degradation. Historically, the implementation of HDCP has presented challenges for consumers and professionals alike, and these devices provided a workaround for overcoming these challenges.