HDCP/HDMI LCD TV Question

[AMCRambler]

Alright. Forgive the noob question, but I've been researching LCD tv's and video cards and I think I know the answer to this one, just want to be sure. On a tv supporting HDCP/HDMI connection, if I want to connect a pc to the LCD tv via the HDMI port, would I need a DVI HDCP capable video card? Or will a standard DVI out video card display just fine when connected to the HDMI port on the tv?

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
Alright. Forgive the noob question, but I've been researching LCD tv's and video cards and I think I know the answer to this one, just want to be sure. On a tv supporting HDCP/HDMI connection, if I want to connect a pc to the LCD tv via the HDMI port, would I need a DVI HDCP capable video card? Or will a standard DVI out video card display just fine when connected to the HDMI port on the tv?

HDMI ("High Definition Media Interface") = DVI + Audio in one cable.

HDCP ("High Definition Content Protection") = end-to-end encryption. It can be used over any kind of digital connection, but is most common over HDMI or Firewire. TVs with HDMI plugs are supposed to always support HDCP, but in theory they don't have to.

To just plug your computer into an HDTV and display your desktop, games, regular DVDs/video files, etc. -- all you need is an HDTV that has a DVI/HDMI input (or component if your video card can output HD component). You can convert between DVI/HDMI with a simple adapter if needed (same signal, different plug). HDCP doesn't get involved at all.

You'd only need to worry about HDCP if you want to watch Blu-Ray/HD-DVD disks (or potentially other HDCP-encrypted content) on your computer via an HDTV -- in that case, you need an HDCP-compliant video card and an HDCP-compliant monitor/TV.

 

[AMCRambler]

Originally posted by: Matthias99

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
Alright. Forgive the noob question, but I've been researching LCD tv's and video cards and I think I know the answer to this one, just want to be sure. On a tv supporting HDCP/HDMI connection, if I want to connect a pc to the LCD tv via the HDMI port, would I need a DVI HDCP capable video card? Or will a standard DVI out video card display just fine when connected to the HDMI port on the tv?

HDMI ("High Definition Media Interface") = DVI + Audio in one cable.

HDCP ("High Definition Content Protection") = end-to-end encryption. It can be used over any kind of digital connection, but is most common over HDMI or Firewire. TVs with HDMI plugs are supposed to always support HDCP, but in theory they don't have to.

To just plug your computer into an HDTV and display your desktop, games, regular DVDs/video files, etc. -- all you need is an HDTV that has a DVI/HDMI input (or component if your video card can output HD component). You can convert between DVI/HDMI with a simple adapter if needed (same signal, different plug). HDCP doesn't get involved at all.

You'd only need to worry about HDCP if you want to watch Blu-Ray/HD-DVD disks (or potentially other HDCP-encrypted content) on your computer via an HDTV -- in that case, you need an HDCP-compliant video card and an HDCP-compliant monitor/TV.

Awesome. That's exactly what I needed to know. After reading all the faqs my concern was buying an LCD tv with an HDCP compliant HDMI connection, would require my video card to support HDCP just to display my desktop, games and dvd or divx movies. I will only need an HDCP compliant vid card if I plan on putting a Blu Ray or HD-DVD drive in the pc to play movies.
I'm in the process of upgrading my pc and I'm at the point I need to decide on a video card. Just wanted to be sure I wasn't shooting myself in the foot if I decided to go for an LCD tv for a display at some point down the road.

 

[strad]

If the source has HDCP, then your display must be HDCP in order to decrypt the HDCP( H D content protection).

Most HD displays these days have HDMI port. THe thing you should look for now is that it has at least 2 or 3 HDMI ports, because almost all HD sources : Blue Ray, HD-DVD, HD Cable Set top Boxes, HD Satellite Settop Boxes and the PS3 have HDMI outpt for uncompressed digital video. If you have 2 tv's you care considering and price is pretty close and other features are close, then go with the one with 2 HDMI inputs because YOu will need them to connect the new HD sources.
If you have a HDTV with only 1 HDMI input ( like me), you can use an external 3x1 HDMI switch or 5x1 HDMI switchthat will let you expanded up to 3 and 5 HDMI sources respectivly.