HD on PC?

[d000hg]

Since HD-TV is just higher-definition video, shouldn't any PC be able to play it? After all, all PCs can support much higher resolutions than even a HD TV, and I'd expect any PC from the last few years has the power to decode and display the video fast enough?
Did I miss something?

[Big Booger]

You'll be pleasantly surprised to realize that the system requirements for viewing HDTV on your computer are relatively modest. In fact, most computers purchased in the last two years should support high-definition programming with just a few modifications. For starters, most current video cards and displays should display high-def content—a minimum of 720 horizontal pixels provides a high-definition experience. If your monitor and video card support a resolution of at least 1,024-by-768, you can display an HDTV program. Widescreen displays are particularly well suited for the 16:9 format of high-def programs.


http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2058995,00.asp

That article references this. But you are basically right. As long as your computer isn't ancient 2-3 years old, it should run HD video. However to get HDTV, you'll need a tuner card that supports HD.

SELECTING A TUNER Always verify the system requirements of the tuner you purchase to ensure you meet the minimum specifications. Recording high-definition content will require between 6GB and 10GB of storage per hour of programming, so a major consideration will be hard drive capa­city. And to take advantage of that digitally transmitted 5.1 surround sound, you may also need to invest in an audio card.
COST DViCO FusionHDTV5 RT Lite PCI—$99.99 direct, from SnapStream.com

Also if you want to grab the HD content from the airways around your place you'll need an antenna:

ADD AN ANTENNA If you're near your local station's broadcast towers, you're very likely to receive a free digital television signal. To find out, and figure out which antenna is best suited for your location, go to AntennaWeb.org.
COST Philips Silver Sensor UHF antenna—Free (included with tuner purchase)

That allows you to pick up broadcasted HDTV over the air (for free!!!)

[d000hg]

So would it work out cheaper to buy like a 21" PC monitor and a Blu-ray drive than to get a setup which will let you watch Blu-ray on your TV?

Aren't many projectors able to handle the fairly modest "high definition" resolutions too? Would a PC with HD receiver connected to a reasonably cheap projector be any good?

[cash_site]

that's right doohg... ur heading towards a media centre PC... instead of thousands of $$ on stand alone equipment... most people will start adding projectors or bigger LCD screens to their PC ;)

A setup i would like (halfway there) is a laptop with a USB HD-TV tuner, DVI output to an external 27" LCD screen or better yet a HD Projector for a 6foot screen!! add in some RCA cables from the headphone jacks, and you got surround sound too ;)