So I got a V7 24" LCD. My plan was to run the hdmi output of the cable box into the lcd and the use the standard coaxial for my other television. I then connect my laptop to the d-sub port of the monitor.

The tv displays fine on the monitor though the pic is as good as on my tube. And I can simultaneously display the tv on my tube television through the coaxial (the component stops working when the hdmi cable is connected) HOWEVER, when I switch the lcd back to the vga source I get an error on my crt television. Message GS511_HDCP_DLG your tv does not allow display of this program through the DVI input source Please choose another TV input source. So if the lcd is displaying hdmi then the tv simultaneously works fine from the coaxial output of the box however once I switch the lcd input source back to VGA I get the error.

Other issues with this particular lcd as a tv - is that the volume controls are hidden in the menu and there is no way to control it with a remote. I guess I can use the cable box to control volume as a workaround but not sure if its worth the headache.

My options:
Return the 24" which on my desk is quite huge and get a 22" for about half the price. Then maybe buy a cheap 720p lcd tv. Or buy a more expensive lcd like the Dell 2408WFP with component inputs and not deal with the buggy cable box hdmi.

Bottom line - my plan to save money and space by having an lcd that functions as both a pc and tv is becoming a hassle.
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I am sure I'll be corrected if I am mistaken, but I believe the cable box HDMI is not buggy at all. Switching to vga I would guess basicly turns off the HDMI port on the monitor, so there is no longer a handshake for the HDCP. Unpluging the hdmi cable from the box should give back the coax picture. There might be an inexpensive switch box or something you could put in between to keep the stb happy. Again, this is just my understanding of this stuff, but I could be off base.

EDIT:looks like I was not off base http://www.hdblog.net/2006/07/27/hdcp-is-killing-hdmi/
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