Direct TV claiming that TV does not have access to programs and need to change my HDMI cable components

Thanks for your response.  Three questions:

Where do I get the compatible hdmi cable - Best Buy or ?

Why no advance notice from SD of the specific change requirement?

Why shut down my system with no "grandfather" time period to meet the apparent requirement? (What am  missing here?)

Does the TV have the latest software?

They have been announcing the sd shut down for over a year onscreen and emails and in our bills 

The MPEG-2/SD-only shutdown was initially announced about 10 years ago with it scheduled in 2019.

SD-only service was grandfathered (so no longer offered to new customers) in late 2015.

The shutdown started on time (April 2019), but is still in progress. They had some challenges at the start and then the pandemic happened which of coursed delayed it further.

Notices via email, bill insert, and even some on screen TV messages have gone out. SD TVs haven't been made in over a decade. So there should be no surprise about SD on the way out.

As for the HDMI message. Networks have been increasing the requirement of HDCP 2.2. High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection is the networks preventing HD recording to non authorized devices (recordable DVD player, etc.) as that cuts into their media sales.

Unfortunately HDCP is still a bit finnicky. Think of it as a secret handshake between DirecTV, your TV, and any other devices. If one device messes up the handshake, then it locks down some features as think there may be a "spy/traitor" (HD recordable device) in the mix.

Verify your TV has all needed software/firmware updates.

Check all HDMI cables are secure, free of debris, and free of damage.

Avoid using HDMI splitters or switches if you can.

Unplug the TV from power to reset it (since most don't have a reset button).

Have all HDMI devices unplugged and then plug them back one at a time to test.

Hopefully the steps above will refresh all the connections clearing the issue. If not, I would try another TV (preferably a newer one) that you have so you can see if the problem follows the box or stays with the TV.

Thank you for the information.  Really helpful, particularly the historical context. Apparently I have not been very observant when the information was provided on my billing statements. 

I am following up with all, and I do mean all, of your suggestions/recommendations.  If you have a recommendation regarding the specific cable brand etc., it would be appreciated.

My visit to local Best Buy was shocking when they said the cable that they recommended cost over $100 for a 4' length size.  I did not purchase!   

Not sure what the SD shutdown has to do with this problem.

Do you have more than one TV connected to this receiver?

HDMI over $100 to be compliant? Sounds like something way too high end. Cannot recommend specifically a brand. Just check requirements of HDCP 2.2 and preferably HDMI 2.0 as well to future proof. Check reviews before purchase.

Really hope it is just a matter of resetting the handshake, so to speak. If your TV is older, there is a chance it may not get the needed updates.

The MPEG-2/SD-only shutdown doesn't relate to this issue. The first response mentioned that as a side note, so it caused some confusion. I just clarified since the OP had some follow-up questions regarding SD.

@del 

What are the models of each of your boxes and how exactly are they connected to their TVs?

Thank you for your insights and observations.  Genuinely appreciated.

Interestingly, at least to me, is that the "problem" is now fixed.

A good friend  who I told about my situation came to the house with a new model HDMI cable, disconnected my cables and connected his.  It fixed the problem.  After a couple of minutes.

Out of curiosity, we then disconnected his new HDMI cable and replaced it with the original ones. The signal and programs all worked fine. 

We then went to my second location in the house and did the same thing and all worked as they had been doing previously.

My friend surmised that the Direct TV updates automatically confused the innards of the receiver box  - or were programmed to do so - and it was the receiver that was the problem, not the cable connectors.

I have two TV's, the most recent one - a new LG -  had been purchased within the last year or so.  The other TV, a Samsung,  had been purchased about 3 years ago and set up in a different room.  Because of the layout of the house, etc., the Direct TV service person had, at installation, hard wired the satellite signal into the receiver in the back room and set up a wi-fi connection to the front receiver in another room. 

The question I now have is , being suspicious, do the updates automatically inserted into a customer's receiver cause narrative that I received to customers with the intent of causing shutdown of customer's service as well as requiring that more money be spent to upgrade system when it need not do so?

Just wondering.   

No, none of that.  Just the vagaries of HDMI implementation.

And HDCP.

As mentioned, HDCP is a bit finicky. Swapping to a different cable and back again is interesting. Hopefully the fix sticks. If not, I would consider getting HDMI cables like your friend has.

If just one was affected, I would think perhaps a bad cable. But with both, then something didn't go through correctly.

This is not to get you to pay more money, but simply a technical issue.

Thanks for your responsiveness.  If it indeed becomes finicky,  will do as you suggest and let you know if it happens.

A question partially related: am considering adding a third TV to the overall system and will seek an additional new receiver from Direct TV, or whoever is buying them.  Will a third receiver cause issues to the system within the house?

There should be no problems adding another TV/receiver but will add $7 per month and a new 2 year contract.  The HDCP/HDMI problems are local to each TV/receiver not to the system.

Thank you for your insights.  Very helpful.