Windows 7: Blu Ray vs Standard DVD

I need to replace a defective optical drive, and while the idea of a Blu Ray Combo player is appealing, I know that it has some compatibility requirements that I don't know that my system can meet...without buying other upgrades that I don't want.



It is not very clear to me, but I think that it hinges on whether the video card can output HDMI, and that the monitor can receive it. The video cards on my systems are a BFG 7800 GT and an EVGA 8800GTS, both of which have DVI-D connectors available.

I'm not certain about the BFG, but I know that the EVGA claims to have HDMI, but if so, it is not via a HDMI connector. I know that I can't use the HDMI connector on my monitor, because it doesn't work when I use a DVI to HDMI cable.

Though I would like to be able to play Blu Ray movies, I do not want to buy a Blu Ray player, only to find after the fact, that it won't work on my system. If I'm not certain about this, I will simply buy a cheaper standard DVD burner. Can anyone give me some clear instruction in this matter?

If you want to route the playback to a HDTV rather than the monitor you can easly do so. HDMI, DVI--> HDMI connector etc. This part is easily solved without much problem. if you have a HDMI connector on your GPU, its very simple, and just a matter of the HDMI audio drivers being installed (in the case of ATI CCC anyway)

As far as output to your PC monitor, it doesnt matter. How you have it set now to watch DVDs or whatever will work exactly the same with a BD Drive to watch Bluray movies. DVI or HDMI is perfectly fine.


The main issue you will have is the software to playback Bluray Disc. Although the BluRay Drive itself is capable of reading BD discs, you still need some form of software to play & view the movie.

I only know about the LG Drive I have, but it came with Cyberlink Power DVD software. I would guess many other brands do something similiar.

The problem is, most are castrated versions. The one that came with mine would play most BDs fine, but only allowed for 2.0 sound. To unlock it all you had to upgrade the package at a discounted price.


If you already have such software (PowerDVD, Nero, whatever) this will not be a issue. but something you should be aware of.
you do need software to be able to watch blyray movies (but should be included with drive, at least a stripped basic version)

It's not whether your components support HDMI. Rather, it's HDCP. Your graphics card, its drivers, and you monitor must all support HDCP in order to display high definition content. That can be done through a DVI interface.

High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You also need compatible player software. The version of Windows Media Player that is included with Windows 7 in the USA supports DVDs, but it won't play BluRay movies. My LG BluRay combo drive came with an old version of Cyberlink's PowerDVD that was incompatible with Windows 7.

There may be a product from Slysoft that eliminates the HDCP requirements, but it won't be cheap. Check whether your components are HDCP compliant.

Ahhh good point bobkn. Forgot about that.


And yes, AnyDVD will eliminate the HDCP.

I already have software capable of playing Blu Ray, but I will have to check the HDCP aspect.

Adaptor's will never give you the best quality - for Blu-Ray you need native HDMI for your GPU and monitor - a 1080p panel, and for audio an audio card that supports PAP which is any 5000 series ATI card - without PAP you need a dedicated sound card and receiver for 7.1 channel audio. As for HDCP, you need a compatible monitor, card, OS, and player.

After some quick Googling, I have verified the HDCP ability of my hardware, except the BFG video card. I do have another EVGA 8800GTS that I can swap out with it...assuming that it still works.

As far as the sound card goes, I do have an Audigy 2 ZS on both rigs, which I think is capable of 7.1 audio, but I've never used anything except 5.1 on my primary rig, because that is what my speaker system is, my secondary rig only has 2.1 speakers. Will these work or not?

EDIT: I almost missed your comment regarding native vs adapters aspect. By adapters, are you including the use of a straight DVI to DVI connection between the video card and monitor? I have no interest in upgrading my video cards, in terms of purchasing something new, so either what I have will work, or I will abandon the idea of Blu Ray for now.

If you connect the GPU to the card via SPDIF and the card to your speakers, then set the right options in 7, it will probably work.

I'll like to clear something up. It does not matter whether the connection is DVI or HDMI, they are exactly the same except HDMI also transports sound. Which ever you chose will not matter in the slightest.

Connection as in native connection and not via adaptor - right?