Handling Protection Levels with OPM

Each output protection type (for example, Analog Copy Protection (ACP), Content Generation Management System Analog (CGMS-A), High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), and DisplayPort Content Protection (DPCP)) has protection levels associated with it.

A graphics adapter is not required to support any output protection types. However, a graphics adapter must accurately report the protection types that it supports for each of the graphics adapter's outputs and the currently set protection level for each output.

ACP and CGMS-A protect analog TV signals. Currently, OPM can use ACP and CGMS-A to protect signals from composite outputs, S-Video outputs, or component outputs. For information about the various ACP and CGMS-A protection levels, see the DXGKMDT_OPM_ACP_PROTECTION_LEVEL and DXGKMDT_OPM_CGMSA enumerations.

HDCP protects digital video signals. Currently, OPM can use HDCP to protect data from Digital Video Interface (DVI) and High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector outputs. For information about the HDCP protection levels, see the DXGKMDT_OPM_HDCP_PROTECTION_LEVEL enumeration.

DPCP protects digital video signals from DisplayPort output connectors.

The following sections describe the precedence that is placed on protection levels if more than one protected output is created for a particular physical output connector and the algorithm for determining a physical output connector's protection level:

Assigning Precedence to Protection Levels

Determining the Protection Level for a Physical Output