PCs and Laptops just don't come with HDMI inputs. If you didn't buy something specifically to do this, then you don't have it.
If you connect a recorder via HDMI to the hopper, yes it will more or less know what it is, and it will not output any video that has DRM restrictions against being copied. As was mention before, the way around this is to connect the HDMI from the hopper to the TV, and then record from the component outputs of the hopper. Component outputs are analog, but they can handle HD. They have no data channel back to the hopper (or from it for that matter), so the hopper would not know anything is attached. I do think that some channels may require the hopper to turn off the analog outputs. I don't know it this is ever done, but I do think it is supported. Anyway, to try this you need some video capture device with component video inputs, or at least with a composite input (SD only, though).
Edit: To your exact question. HDMI is a two way setup. When you connect something via HDMI, both devices talk to each other. That's how your hopper knows what resolution your TV supports, and probably can even tell you the brand of the TV on the info screen.