Question about PC Blu-Ray/HD-DVD

[CubDukat]

I am considering the purchase of LG's new Blu-Ray/HD-DVD combo drive from Newegg.com within the next couple weeks, however, I have a question before I do that.

From the way I gather it, in order for you to get Blu-Ray/HD-DVD playback on your PC, you need HD-ready software (which I already have), but you also need a monitor and/or video card that supports HDCP. I have neither. I have an eVGA GeForce 8600GT that doesn't support HDCP, and it's currently hooked up to an old Sampo CRT monitor.

Now, I've heard every different outcome for what I can expect, from I won't get any picture at all to I'll get a downconverted picture. What I really want to know is this: Will I get at least a 1280x720 image (the monitor can do 1280x1024), or will I get absolutely nothing, and should probably wait until I can upgrade both my video card and monitor at the same time?

I would really hope that that won't be necessary, as I just got the 8600GT the first week of its release, although I suppose I could build another system around it. I just hope I won't have to.

Or maybe I should just grab a PS3 40GB and a Toshiba HD-DVD player instead, since it'll probably cost me the same by the time everything's said and done?

[me-eyes]

Play it safe and install AnyDVD HD - "Allows you to watch movies over a digital display connection, without HDCP compliant graphics card and HDCP compliant display. No need to buy an expensive monitor." - taken from their website: http://www.slysoft.com/en/anydvdhd.html

[CubDukat]

Thanks. I forgot all about Slysoft's program. That'll definitely give me some breathing room until I get the money for the other upgrades.

Now all I have to do is free up the only other SATA port I have in my system. Last time I buy a microATX motherboard, believe you me.