VGA/DVI and HD-capability

[StonieJ]

I have a Gateway notebook that came with an ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 video card that only has a VGA output (no DVI). If I attached an HD-capable external LCD monitor to this VGA port, would my video card allow HD content from my computer to be displayed on the external monitor? Or can HD content only be shown if the connection is made via a DVI link?

I'm deciding whether or not to buy an HD-capable LCD monitor. If I can't display HD-content from my notebook on the monitor, then it's obviously not going to be worth it.

Let me emphasize of course that I want the signal to retain 100% HD quality when being transferred from my computer to the external monitor.

Thanks.

 

[Oyeve]

If its not HDCP material then VGA should be able to push 720P HD.

 

[StonieJ]

Isn't most HDTV in the US broadcast in 1080i? If I picked up 1080i HDTV channels with my computer's TV tuner, will they be displayed in full HD on the monitor in 720p? Similarly, if I were to watch Blu-ray and HD DVD movies on my computer, would they be shown in full HD glory on my LCD using the VGA port? If these questions are stupid and/or makes no sense, I apologize, because I don't really have any idea what I'm talking about. There are WAY too many terms and intricacies with HD if you ask me.

Thanks for the help so far!