Hulu is a popular streaming service, offering viewers extensive entertainment content. However, many viewers are unable to watch videos even after purchasing a Hulu subscription plan. The problem is mostly caused by Hulu's HDCP restrictions.
In this article, we will provide a detailed explanation of Hulu's HDCP limitation and show you how to solve the HDCP error. With the instructions, you can feel free to download and convert Hulu videos to MP4 format and watch them offline on any device you like.
What is HDCP?
HDCP stands for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection and is a type of technology used to protect high-quality digital video, HDCP is widely used in digital devices such as computers, DVD players, Blu-ray players, televisions, and set-top boxes to prevent piracy.
HDCP prevents piracy by transmitting digital signals in encrypted form and restricting access to them from devices that are not capable of decrypting them.
HDCP is a protection system that prevents unauthorized copying of high-definition videos. To watch an HDCP-protected video, both your software and hardware need to support the same HDCP version.
HDCP is constantly updated, and the current version is 2.3. Older versions of HDCP aren't compatible with newer ones. So, if a video requires a newer HDCP version and your device only supports an older one, you won't be able to watch it.
Hulu and Its HDCP Protection
Hulu uses HDCP technology to protect its high-quality videos. This can affect how you watch Hulu content.
First, you can't directly record Hulu videos. If you want to record HDCP-encrypted Hulu content and watch it on other devices, those devices must also support HDCP. This means the device manufacturer needs a license from Digital Content Protection LLC, an Intel subsidiary.
Second, all playback and transmission devices must support HDCP to watch Hulu videos.
Third, you can't use live streaming software to share Hulu videos with friends.
Hulu has strong copy protection, making it difficult to bypass. KeepStreams for Hulu, mentioned at the end of the article, can download Hulu media in a regular, HDCP-free format. If you're interested, check it out.
What is a Hulu HDCP Error?
A Hulu HDCP error means there's a problem with the HDCP protection system, preventing the video from playing. You might see this error as a dark screen and a message like, "Sorry, there was a problem while playing the video..." or error codes like "S-5" or "S-3016." This always happens when the video content isn't encrypted correctly.
According to the official information from Hulu, HDCP encryption works best for direct connections. Some ports don't support HDCP. If you're using a VGA port, try switching to HDMI, DVI-D, or DisplayPort.
Other reasons may cause hulu to display the above error code. Typically, this may be due to a damaged HDMI cable, a dirty HDMI port, or an older version of the HDMI standard being used.
How to Fix Hulu HDCP Errors?
There are a few ways to fix Hulu HDCP errors. First, try cleaning the HDMI cable or port. If that doesn't work, replace the cable. You can also update your device's firmware to the latest version.
Second, you can also use a different browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. Make sure your browser is the latest version. Third, replacing hardware can always fix HDCP issues, but it's often time-consuming, expensive, and inconvenient.
No worries! Here we'll introduce a powerful and convenient method to disable Hulu HDCP: KeepStreams for Hulu.
Use KeepStreams to Disable HDCP
KeepStreams is a professional and powerful tool to download Hulu videos while removing HDCP limits from downloaded shows, allowing you to watch Hulu videos without issues on any device you like.
You can download and convert 1080p and even 4K Hulu videos in compatible formats like MKV and MP4, which are compatible with most devices. KeepStreams also downloads subtitles along with the videos. You can choose to remux the subs to the downloaded video or just save it in a separate SRT file.
Apart from the basic download function, KeepStreams is also capable of downloading multiple titles at the same time, removing ads from downloaded videos, multi-language selection, and setting a preset download time to get the latest released episodes.
What's more, KeepStreams is compatible with both Windows and Mac. You can feel free to use the trial version to download up to 3 full films from Hulu in 30 days.
Detailed Steps to Bypass Hulu HDCP Protection
First, let me explain how to use KeepStreams for Hulu.
- First, get the installation package from the official KeepStreams website or just by clicking the buttons above;
- Download and install KeepStreams, the Hulu video downloader;
- Launch KeepStreams, select "VIP Services" on the left side, and then pick "Hulu" on the right side;
- Login with your own Hulu account and play the video you want to download;
- Please wait a moment for video analysis.
- In the pop-up window, choose your preferred video format, resolution, subs and episode.
- Select "Download Now" to download directly. Choose "Add to Queue" to download multiple videos at once.
Now you've successfully downloaded Hulu videos without HDCP protection on your computer. All downloaded videos are automatically converted into a compatible MP4/MKV format so that you can transfer and watch them on any laptop, mobile device, and even TV for offline viewing.
Summary
Hulu’s HDCP restrictions are designed to protect copyrighted high-quality video content but can pose challenges for viewers trying to access or save videos. This article has explained what HDCP is, the reasons behind Hulu’s HDCP limitations, and practical methods to resolve common HDCP errors.
Among these solutions, KeepStreams for Hulu offers a simple and effective way to download and convert Hulu videos to MP4 without HDCP protection.
Hope this guide helps you overcome Hulu’s HDCP errors and enjoy uninterrupted streaming. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us.