To decode HDDVD or Bluray, you would need a card that is HDCP compliant. Currently, graphics solutions uses external CryptoROM to store HDCP encryption keys table. This involve additional board cost and not all are guaranteed to be HDCP compliant.

ATi Radeon HD 2000 Series card are compliant with HDCP specifications. It has integrated HDCP keys table within the GPU thus there is no need for an external CryptoROM needed.

Radeon HD 2000 GPUs have as many HDCP ciphers as they have output links. This allows running HD content at native resolutions of dual-link HDCP panels.

As most HDTV uses HDMI interface. HDMI specs requires audio to be transmitted together. If you have noticed, current graphics cards require a input to channel the audio from your onboard audio to output via the HDMI. Once you do that, your onboard digital interface can't be used.

Alternatively, you could use a seperate audio card. In this case, that means additional cost, you would have a sound card and an onboard sound. You would have to interlink the audio card to channel the audio to the graphics card.

To be compliant with Windows Vista™ Premium Logo requirements, a system with enabled HDMI output must include two distinct audio sources – one main system source and one for HDMI output.

In both cases, the audio is routed to the graphics card via a physical cable (S/PDIF) in order to be included with the video on the HDMI output.

ATI Radeon™ HD 2000 series provide a comprehensive approach to provide audio support for HDMI by including an HD-audio controller on the ASIC, creating a protected audio path separate from the system’s audio, compliant with Windows Vista Premium requirement and without any additional connection or cable.

Radeon HD 2000 GPUs natively support both video and audio. Audio path via integrated audio controller and it is secure with both HDCP keys and audio.

Something new to the game is ATi's own DVi-HDMI converter. Current DVI-to-HDMI adapters do not carry audio. ATI Radeon active DVI-to-HDMI adapter does. It allows full video & audio support via standard DVI output from Radeon HD 2000 series graphics boards.

Thus, the Radeon HD 2000 series has a plug-n-play HDMI solution. There is no internal or external cabling required. Just install the graphics card and drivers and HDMI support is ready.

HDMI specific boards are not needed.  ATI Radeon boards with common outputs can be supplied and the adapter used if/when the user requires
Leaves full audio flexibility. For the add-in board user the system S/PDIF output is not tied up by routing it to the graphics board for HDMI output.

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