Video Card with HD Capacity

[smackdr]

Is it possible to watch HD movies on your computer? Do you need a special video card to do so?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Yes and yes.

You need a video card that has HDCP decoding. This is only found on 79xx , 76xx , X19xx ,x16xx and better video cards. You won't find an HDCP compliant 7800 , X1800 or older.

The best on the cheap is the X1950GT from sapphire weighin in arround $130 before MIR. IF u need small and cool the MSI 7600GS for arround $123 without MIR.

 

[smackdr]

Awesome. Thanks a lot, man.

 

[Rage3kMoiz]

Also, check out this list of HDCP-compliant video cards at the ardForums.

 

[mruffin75]

Don't you also require a HDCP complaint monitor as well? I thought if you just hooked it up to a standard monitor it would degrade the quality automatically?

 

[bigsnyder]

If you are using an analog display HDCP is not necessary. If you are using digital output like DVI or HDMI then a program like AnyDVD HD will
allow HD playback with non-HDCP hardware.

 

[VERTIGGO]

but it wont be an HD output then would it? HDCP is to protect us from using it, would they have missed such a simple workaround as using analog?

 

[themisfit610]

That's where AnyDVD HD comes into play. It makes your system ignore ICT - the image constraint token which forces a downscaling of HD content when viewing through a non encrypted device.

Damn HD-DVD / Blu Ray/..

The funny part is that for people who are in the know, it's not much harder to copy an HD-DVD than it is to copy a regular DVD. We're always a step ahead

~Misfit

 

[VERTIGGO]

i rip hddvd with powerdvd ultra, but i never use analog (i also happen to have an hdcp monitor), so i just didn't know

 

[bigsnyder]

With or without AnyDVD HD, Current Blu-Ray/HD-DVD support full resolution over analog component output.
This is to widen the current market to include the HDTV early adopters that may not have DVI or HDMI
on their televisions.

 

[guezz]

Originally posted by: bigsnyder
With or without AnyDVD HD, Current Blu-Ray/HD-DVD support full resolution over analog component output.
This is to widen the current market to include the HDTV early adopters that may not have DVI or HDMI
on their televisions.

Analogue connections can't output 1080p because of AACS.

This should summarize HDCP:

HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection)
This is a DRM (Digital Rights Management) technology which currently is being used by HD-DVD and Blu-Ray movies. The movie industry thinks this will reduce piracy but it makes it a lot harder for people to back-up their originals.

You need a http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1071342]video card[/url] and monitor/HDTV which are both http://www.hdtvtotal.com/modul...pub-tid-1-pid-968.html]HDCP ready[/url] if you want to use digital connections (HDMI, DVI).

Analogue connections have currently no such limitations since ICT (Image Constraint Token) is not yet implemented ? when it?s (2009 or even as late as 2012) the resolution will be reduced to 540p or not allowed at all. It should be noted that AACS (Advanced Access Content System) don?t allow analogue connections to transfer more than a maximum 1080i.

You can bypass HDCP by using http://www.slysoft.com/en/anydvdhd.html]Slysoft?s AnyDVD HD ($79)[/url] ? thus it will work with video cards and displays which doesn?t support it! It can also remove the other user restrictions set by DRM.

The Introduction Guide - Advices, Technologies, Drivers & Utilities

Native HDCP cards:
The Buyer's Guide: 6600GT - 8800GTX / HD2900XT - Performance and Technology