PC to HDTV

[carrspaints]

Hi everyone....I am sure this is either a daft question, or one that has been answered many times. But having searched for a concrete answer on Google, I am now more confused than ever.

My question is fairly simple. I want to connect my PC to my tv.

I have a HDTV that does not have VGA input. The user manual says that the tv should be connected via the HDMI input and that the PC graphics should be set to match (frequency, resolution) That's fine.

But the only output my PC has is a VGA port. So I have to but a video card that will enable me to connect to my TV.

My questions are:

1. Will any video card with DVI output work, if I use a DVI to HDMI cable? Or does the DVI output have to be DVI-I, DVI-D or blah, blah....

2. If I wanted to install a blu-ray drive on my PC, what graphics card would I need so that I could watch blu-ray on my HDTV? Would the card need to support HDCP?

Many thanks.

[edDV]

1. Any DVI-D out will work but for video quality go for an upper range "PureVideo" (e.g. NVidia 8600GT up) or ATI's AVIVO.

2. Better off to wait for prices to go down and tech. to be proven. Currently Blu-Ray has HDCP turned off on discs but this could change at any time. Current cards may not adequately support HDCP. I'd buy an external player for now.

[ahhaa]

I'd second edDV on this.
One other point- check your HDTV's manual closely, some have VGA inputs (like Polaroid for one). The HDMI signal is DVI, just connector adapted.

Another angle is that video is extremely demanding on hard drives, burners and even some cards fail, due to factors in continuous instead of intermittent use. Your computer is tied up while you are watching; and if it goes out, both systems are down. Makes sense to have & upgrade that standalone DVR- and especially if there are any kids involved!

[jagabo]

1. Any DVI-D out will work but for video quality go for an upper range "PureVideo" (e.g. NVidia 8600GT up) or ATI's AVIVO.

2. Better off to wait for prices to go down and tech. to be proven.

I wouldn't call these upper range. nVidia 8600GT cards with dual DVI out and HDCP are around US$120. I use an Asus EN8600GT Silent in my setup (DVI->HDMI cable, HDCP not tested though):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121076

There are even some 8500GT (also PureVideo but a little slower) cards with built in HDMI and HDCP for far less:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127301

The benefit of this card is that it has an SPDIF connector for digital audio from the sound card so digital audio can be sent to the HDTV via the HDMI cable. I don't have any personal experience with this card but from the reports at NewEgg it appears to work.