1080p HDTV w/ HDMI cabling

[Cerulean]

Ok -- I am doing some research for my school. Why? Because when I asked my principle if the school's HDTV (LCD) regarding the resolution of the system (it didn't look like full blown, native 1080p), he told me that "the CPU of the computer wasn't capable of handling 1080p," which I know is untrue, as it has little to do with the CPU.

So here is what I know:
* It is a 1080p HDTV using the LCD structure (pixels) and supports HDMI and S-Video; the TV is between 48" to 52".
* An HDMI cable is being used to connect the computer and the TV.
* I have no information about or regarding the specs or visuals of the computer that is being used, but I do know it is running Windows XP (irrelevant detail though).

Problem:
* The full and native 1080p resolution is apparently unattainable with the machine.



So what here is required to be able to reach a native 1080p resolution? I know it isn't the CPU, and it has something to do with the video card. Has it something to do with scaling or the 'maximum texture resolution' a video card would support? Would a high-end video card be able to attain a native 1080p resolution since they're better at scaling?

Thanks! Help is very much appreciated.

 

[Nenu]

It depends what you are doing whether the CPU is required much but it shouldnt stop 1080p being used for the desktop.

Pretty much ANY (seriously, ANY) gfx card you can buy is capable of rendering a 1080p desktop.
The reason for lack of 1080p might be down to a HDCP problem.
ie the TV is strictly enforcing HDCP and the gfx card is not HDCP compliant.
A friend had this problem with a Philips HDTV and had to buy a new gfx card to get full res from the TV.

Without any info on the TV or the PC specs, there is little to diagnose with.

Edit:
There is a possibility they have a crap HDMI lead that cant cope with the required b/w for 1080p.
All HDMI leads should be capable of 1080p but not all are made equal.