Can I play DVDs via my Dell monitor?

a DVD player as in a physical standalone player not a software one?

I can not think of any reason why it would not be possible. I'm not sure why the cables you have seen claim that they can't be used with computer monitors, why else would you buy a Scart to VGA cable except to connect to a computer monitor? I know some TVs have VGA sockets, but they will have Scart sockets also, so it makes no sense.

Just buy one, test it, it will probably works, if not, return it.

__EDIT__

Actually, looking at the reviews for these products, you are right, a lot of them don't work with computer monitors. How thoroughly useless.

I'm not certain if it's possible but I don't see why it wouldn't be. I've never done it before, however, if there's one thing I've learned in my years with computers is you can make them do whatever you want. You just have to do research and have patience. Does your DVD player have a VGA input on it? If so, they make VGA to VGA cords. You can just get one of those if it does have one. If you don't get your answer from anyone else, message me on yahoo IM. I'll help you figure this stuff out. My screen name is the same as my name on here. So yeah. =]

Your cable won't work, they are mainly used for the few laptops/graphics cards that have a TV out function from the VGA to Scart (not the other way round)

Sorry for the bad news

DavidG