Video card supports HDCP, monitor doesn't. Should I worry?

Kovacevic · 06-30-2009, 04:19 PM

As the title says my Radeon HD 4870 says it supports that feature. Now, I was about to order an LCD but luckily (I guess) stumbled on a review saying something about compatibility issues that may arise by connecting a source supporting HDCP with a monitor or TV that doesn't support it. Now, my choices on PC monitors that support HDCP are far more than limited, in fact I couldn't see such a monitor yet where I can order from.

So what should I do anyone knows? Would such a connection between the devices end up a complete nightmare? Is there any sort of interconnection between HDMI, DVI-D and HDCP? The card came with a DVI-D to HDMI adapter, so I can use HDMI as an output as well. Would a choice affect the HDCP signal in a different way?

Seriously this "issue" came from nowhere.

Any help appreciated

paul.hugill · 07-06-2009, 04:22 AM

Hi Kovacevic,
HDCP is a type of encryption used to transmit Hi-Def Video and can be used either over DVI or HDMI.

If you have a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD drive in your computer, in theory you would need to have a monitor and graphics card that support HDCP, but you can get some software called AnyDVD that would allow you to use any monitor even if it does not support HDCP.

You can use a HDMI/DVI adapter to connect devices with different connections without any problems as far as I am aware but you would not get the sound over the HDMI cable like you would normally.

If you want best compatability then you should get a things that are HDCP compatible but AnyDVD does work so that is an option and I have not had any problems with it.

Paul

Kovacevic · 07-07-2009, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul.hugill

Hi Kovacevic,
HDCP is a type of encryption used to transmit Hi-Def Video and can be used either over DVI or HDMI.

If you have a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD drive in your computer, in theory you would need to have a monitor and graphics card that support HDCP, but you can get some software called AnyDVD that would allow you to use any monitor even if it does not support HDCP.

You can use a HDMI/DVI adapter to connect devices with different connections without any problems as far as I am aware but you would not get the sound over the HDMI cable like you would normally.

If you want best compatability then you should get a things that are HDCP compatible but AnyDVD does work so that is an option and I have not had any problems with it.

Paul

Thanks Paul, at last someone replied to this thread!

I managed to find and get an HDCP supported monitor, specifically the Samsung SyncMaster T200HD which has HDMI inputs as well compared to the older T200 having DVI only. For the sound, I don't care much because I have external speakers. So no major worries so far.

However I could only find out that the HDCP is supported only with the DVI port on the monitor. I'm gonna try using the HDMI port later on to see if it works also.

paul.hugill · 07-07-2009, 05:27 AM

I think you shoud be fine, AFAIK if it supports HDCP it will do so on DVI or HDMI but I'm sure someone will say if that is wrong.

Even if HDMI doesnt do HDCP but DVI does you are not really any worse off by using DVI and if you aren't watching Blue-Rays or HD-DVDs then you shuldnt notice any issues with HDMI.

Good luck and enjoy the new monitor.

06-30-2009, 04:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kovacevic Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 52 OS: XP	Video card supports HDCP, monitor doesn't. Should I worry? As the title says my Radeon HD 4870 says it supports that feature. Now, I was about to order an LCD but luckily (I guess) stumbled on a review saying something about compatibility issues that may arise by connecting a source supporting HDCP with a monitor or TV that doesn't support it. Now, my choices on PC monitors that support HDCP are far more than limited, in fact I couldn't see such a monitor yet where I can order from. So what should I do anyone knows? Would such a connection between the devices end up a complete nightmare? Is there any sort of interconnection between HDMI, DVI-D and HDCP? The card came with a DVI-D to HDMI adapter, so I can use HDMI as an output as well. Would a choice affect the HDCP signal in a different way? Seriously this "issue" came from nowhere. Any help appreciated

07-06-2009, 04:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
paul.hugill Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5 OS: Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Win XP SP3	Re: Video card supports HDCP, monitor doesn't. Should I worry? Hi Kovacevic, HDCP is a type of encryption used to transmit Hi-Def Video and can be used either over DVI or HDMI. If you have a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD drive in your computer, in theory you would need to have a monitor and graphics card that support HDCP, but you can get some software called AnyDVD that would allow you to use any monitor even if it does not support HDCP. You can use a HDMI/DVI adapter to connect devices with different connections without any problems as far as I am aware but you would not get the sound over the HDMI cable like you would normally. If you want best compatability then you should get a things that are HDCP compatible but AnyDVD does work so that is an option and I have not had any problems with it. Paul

07-07-2009, 05:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
paul.hugill Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5 OS: Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Win XP SP3	Re: Video card supports HDCP, monitor doesn't. Should I worry? I think you shoud be fine, AFAIK if it supports HDCP it will do so on DVI or HDMI but I'm sure someone will say if that is wrong. Even if HDMI doesnt do HDCP but DVI does you are not really any worse off by using DVI and if you aren't watching Blue-Rays or HD-DVDs then you shuldnt notice any issues with HDMI. Good luck and enjoy the new monitor.