Using a LCD monitor to watch Sky TV?

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dazz1

95 posts

Master Geek

#111762 14-Nov-2012 11:16

Hi

My wife wants to get a 2nd Sky decoder for a few months. I want a new LCD monitor for my PC.

Rather than get a 2nd small LCD TV to hook up to the decoder, I am looking at getting a monitor with a DVI input and using at HDMI>DVI adaptor like this one:

http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/product/P1204/adapter-hdmi-socket-dvi-plug-converter

Once my wife has finished with Sky, I can then use the monitor on my PC to replace the ancient CRT. A good quality monitor and a small cheap TV are about the same price.

I already have Sky HDi but it doesn’t appear to have HDMI output. It has component and RF.

I don’t know if the latest 2nd decoders (HDi not required by me) have HDMI. I also don’t know if the picture image suffers significantly with the HDMI>DVI adaptors.

Has anyone else used a monitor rather than a TV?

Dazz

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#716952 14-Nov-2012 11:25

My Sky HDi should have HDMI and component output. It does not have RF unless you buy an additional modulator.

Secondly using the DVI input won't work well with HDMI output as DVI doesn't supprt HDCP which is required for copy protection. The vast majority of monitors have HDMI these days anyway.

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trig42

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#716953 14-Nov-2012 11:27

It should work fine.

Most monitors have HDMI inputs now, so an adaptor shouldn't be required.
You will need to get one with speakers built in though, or have some other way of playing the sound from SKY.

Also, if you are getting a basic SKY decoder, it will not have HDMI out (only the MySky HDi and MySky Plus have HDMI). You say you have an HDi already, it must have HDMI, unless you just have the silver MySky.

Niel

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#717144 14-Nov-2012 15:42

Last year I got a ViewSonic 24" monitor which has (only) 2 HDMI inputs. Good monitor for a very good price.

I have not tried it with MySky, but whatever you connect (I believe) needs to be HDCP compliant because MySky implements content protection.

You can never have enough Volvos!

dazz1

95 posts

Master Geek

#717336 14-Nov-2012 19:43

Hi

It seems that I would need a HDCP Stripper

http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/348056-A-possible-new-HDCP-stripper

like this one
http://www.avdj.co.nz/hdfury-3-hdcp-stripper-an-da-converter

Dazz

JimmyH

2820 posts

Uber Geek

#717339 14-Nov-2012 19:53

No, you don't need an HDCP stripper - unless you are planning on recording the output with an HD capture device.

A Monitor with an HDMI input and an HDMI splitter that supports HDCP should do the trick. Jaycar sell them. Or, even better, get a 4x2 matrix splitter - which will let you independently route the the output from the Sky box, a blu-ray player, or whatever to one or both of the TVs simultaneously.

dazz1

95 posts

Master Geek

#717341 14-Nov-2012 20:10

Hi

Have you seen this done?

From what I am reading on the interweb, HDCP requires end to end encryption. So unless the Jaycar device strips the HDCP, it shouldn't work.

I found another stripper here:
http://cdsm.en.alibaba.com/product/675175812-211964460/HDCP_Stripper.html

Dazz

JimmyH

2820 posts

Uber Geek

#717358 14-Nov-2012 21:10

Based on a quick Google search on "hdmi matrix splitter hdcp" there seem to be a large number of matrix splitters that claim to be HDCP compliant. The Jaycar one states that it is - and I hope certainly hope that it works OK as I have one in a heap of components awaiting my Christmas rejig of my setup.

If in doubt, ask them (via email so you have a record), then you can always take it back if it doesn't perform as promised.

dazz1

95 posts

Master Geek

#717359 14-Nov-2012 21:15

Hi

I had a look at the Jaycar matrix. I see nothing that tells me it will allow viewing from a HDMI PC monitor. A matrix is like a telephone exchange. It just lets everything through as if it wasn't there.

Dazz

dasimpsonsrule

132 posts

Master Geek

#717379 14-Nov-2012 22:24

Most modern monitors do support HDCP, just make sure to check the spec sheet before buying one

Niel

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#717440 15-Nov-2012 05:48

I'm actually also looking for a splitter, and it appears if it is advertised to work with Blue Ray then it must be HDCP. There are models with the option to lock the EDID and not "pass everything through" (if both TVs are the same resolution), which appears to be to overcome issues with TV detection. But you need to read the splitter specifications to know if it can.

You can never have enough Volvos!

dazz1

95 posts

Master Geek

#718221 16-Nov-2012 12:20

dasimpsonsrule: Most modern monitors do support HDCP, just make sure to check the spec sheet before buying one

That's a bugger because the monitor I want to buy doesn't have a HDMI input.

Dazz

JimmyH

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#718422 16-Nov-2012 18:39

A monitor with DVI *may* support HDCP, and there are HDMI-->DVI cables readily available. If the one you are considering doesn't, it's probably both cheaper and easier to spend a bit extra on one that does than incur the hassle and expense of incorporating HDCP removal into the chain.

dazz1

95 posts

Master Geek

#718457 16-Nov-2012 19:58

Hi
I have just looked at the specs for my 50inch plasma TV I brought about 3 years ago. It has multiple HDMI inputs but not HDCP. That explains why PS3 gives a black screen on HDMI (I thought it was a faulty cable). It also explains why the Sky box is connected with analog component cables and not HDMI. The practical effect is that I can't view HDMI/HDCP material in full quality digital. I am paying for a level of quality that I can use. That is a bit annoying.

I can't be the only one caught out by this. Is there a local supplier of good HDMI strippers?

sbiddle

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#718459 16-Nov-2012 20:04

dazz1: Hi
I have just looked at the specs for my 50inch plasma TV I brought about 3 years ago. It has multiple HDMI inputs but not HDCP. That explains why PS3 gives a black screen on HDMI (I thought it was a faulty cable). It also explains why the Sky box is connected with analog component cables and not HDMI. The practical effect is that I can't view HDMI/HDCP material in full quality digital. I am paying for a level of quality that I can use. That is a bit annoying.

I can't be the only one caught out by this. Is there a local supplier of good HDMI strippers?

What brand of TV is it? I haven't seen a TV with HDMI that doesn't support HDCP in probably 5 years. Certainly when I got my Pioneer Plasma in 2006 there was the odd TV then that didn't, but for a newer model I find it almost unbelievable. I'd actually be taking the issue up with the retailer you purchased the TV from because it's not fit for purpose.

dazz1

95 posts

Master Geek

#718465 16-Nov-2012 20:16

Hi

My plasma is a Panasonic TH-50PV80AZ. The manual is dated 2008 but it still comes up on Priceme.

Way too late to take it back. It is a bit like buying a car with a 4 cylinder engine when not knowing that a 6 cylinder version was available. I didn't know to ask if it had HDCP.

Dazz

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