As per the subject really, can I display 1080i from suitable a DVD player on a Dell PC monitor via the DVI socket?

Depends on the resolution of your monitor.

Its a Dell 1905FP.

1280x1024 is the native res.

I think no.

1080i - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

More details on it there.

I get a blank screen on 1080 or 720 so I only really need to test on 720 - but that doesnt look hopeful either :(

Will I damage the monitor by trying ?

No, wont damage it.. it just wont display it.

Plus the DVD content won't be HD so even if rendered at xxxx*1080 it would be interpolated to the higher resolution, without actually being any better quality?

Plus the DVD content won't be HD so even if rendered at xxxx*1080 it would be interpolated to the higher resolution, without actually being any better quality?

Thats not the point here, it should still have something on the display when I select 1080i.

The Dell cant display anything from the DVD player - just tried. Now back to square one.

The link i put up states the res you need to display at 1280x1024 there is no way you will display 1080i.

You shouldnt' damage the monitor, but that isn't guaranteed, usually LCD's are fine they just don't display but the older CRTs etc you could damage the drive circuitry.

Your LCD may not support the widescreen 1280*720 resolution to display the 720i/p