Q: Hello everyone! Right, i'm buying a new monitor tonight / tomorrow and I want to know if I should buy the HDCP version, or the monitor without HDCP. I would also like to know what HDCP is, some sort of copy protection? If so would it be better to get one without it? Thanks
A: HDCP is a protocol required for devices to display High definition movies, it is part of the decryption of blu ray discs, it is not quite copy protection as much as it is a standard, however if you want to watch HD movies from a blu ray or (the now defunct) HD-DVD than you will need a video card capable of sending an HDCP signal, and a monitor capable of presenting it. HDCP does not have to do with the resolutions that the monitor is capable of displaying as is commonly believed. As i stated above HDCP is not copy protection, it will not prevent you from watching other movies that are pirated or prevent you from distributing or viewing pirated material. and HDCP monitor does not disable anything, only adds functions, so for future use you are best to get one that has the capability, (most monitors that are capable of the 1920 by 1080 resolution will have HDCP anyways.)