HDCP Video Card upgrade suggestions

[bighoo93]

Well, I'm back after a 2+year break. As a refresher, I used this site and the very friendly expert advice here to build this budget system, that I continue to be extremely pleased with: http://forums.mysuperpc.com/showthread.php?t=1550

The reason I return is that I want to find information about budget video card upgrades. I was trying to watch content from my DVR streamed to my PC, and found that my video card is not HDCP compliant, so its a no go. :( My own fault for going super-budget on the video card, but I only spent $50 and its been all I needed for my non-gaming life, so no big deal. Anyway, I am just curious about what the experts here think are my best options for upgrading to a HDCP card at under $100?

Although the info is available at the link above, here is a quick refresher summary of the relevant hardware I have now:

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX
Memory: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Video Card: EVGA 256-P2-N751-TR GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16

I see that a lot of cards are PCI Express x16 v2 or v2.1, and I don't know if that means they are not compatible with my motherboard (I fear this is the case).

Thanks!

[bighoo93]

Actually, maybe a false alarm. I think it is just my monitor that isn't HDCP compatible. I can probably justify to myself a monitor upgrade (I mean come on, who should have to live with a 17" square monitor these days...) :D

[RickyTick]

You're in luck. Dell just announced 2 new IPS monitors at a very affordable price.
Here's a nice tech article with more details, and links to Dell.
http://www.techreport.com/discussions.x/18907

[bighoo93]

That's an interesting suggestion. I'm inclined to go with the ASUS VH236H, for $168 after rebate at Buy.com. Thoughts on that one, others like it, and/or why the Dell's you recommend are better? Thanks!

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059

[RickyTick]

Since you're not a gamer, and dabble in some photo editing and video stuff, I thought you'd be interested in an IPS monitor. The color and picture quality of an IPS is far superior to the TN panel.