Question about monitors that have HDMI

markw10

I am planning on slowly upgrading my computer monitors to widescreen models during the next year, likely 22 inches or so. Samsung makes a 224BW model which is a 22 inch widescreen at a good price. I have heard that Samsung, Dell ,and Viewsonic are the best brands to look at. Any other brands I should look into? What I like about the Samsung is it does have HDCP.

I know technology always changes but I want to do the best I can to buy futureproof technology. I like watching HDTV so want something that could even display HDTV without the computer for example by hooking up a cable or satellite receiver to it. I have heard to look for a monitor that has a HDMI port but I don't see it and I wouldn't want to pay a lot extra for it. I know most have both a DVI port as well as a DVI-D port. Of course the DVI port would be used by the computer but with a switchbox could I hook up a satellite/cable receiver to the DVI port and watch HDTV on it since it has HDCP? As well, do these monitors display 1080p or only 720p and 1080i?

galley

My 21" Gateway FPD2185W has DVI-HDCP as well as a Hi-Def component input. The resolution is 1680 x 1050. On my PC I could watch a 16:9 1080i signal in the PIP window while running the main display via DVI. I can't get it to connect via DVI on my MacBook though, only VGA. When it runs in VGA, you can't do PIP via component.