Upconverting DVD players worthwhile?

BrianShort · 10-21-2005, 01:26 AM

Currently I'm using a cheap <$99 Sony Progressive Scan DVD payer with my Sony A10 series 42" HD set. Would I notice a positive difference by upgrading to one of the players that upconverts to 720P? I have a PC hooked to my TV as well, via a DVI-HDMI cable, and an optical cable for audio from my Montego DDL soundcard. I'd try the HTPC thing, but for some reason when I install PowerDVD to my computer (the software my LiteOn DVD drive came with, which I hadn't bothered installing for months), the drive suddenly gets REALLY SLOOOW, completely incapable of playing or doing much of anything, and I have to uninstall and reinstall the DVD Drive drivers to get it to work again. Also, I think a regular DVD player would be more convienent.

Chris Gerhard · 10-21-2005, 06:41 AM

I think an upconverting player provides a very subtle improvement with my 720p LCD front projector. It is not a unanimous opinion so you could certainly disagree after you see one. I have never used a PC for DVD playback because it always seems so kludgy to even think about it.

I use a Zenith DVB318 and NeuNeo HVD2081 but would recommend you look at the Panasonic DVD-S97 or S77 and Oppo DV971H if you are interested in a budget priced DVD player. I would never consider a high priced player so I don't have a recommendation if you are interested in spending more than $300.

Chris

dpippel · 10-21-2005, 07:05 AM

I think that biggest benefit of an upconverting player isn't that it improves the actual quality if its video output, but that it allows you to match the output resolution to your display device. If the native scan rate of your display is 1080i and you feed it a 1080i video input, you're avoiding additionl conversion in the display device and also bypassing its scaler. This is most important with fixed-pixel displays using DLP and LCD etc., but it can benefit CRT devices as well. How much that benefit will be is highly variable.

Gregg Loewen · 10-21-2005, 09:47 AM

hi guys

You have to ask: what is doing the superior processing?

On the older Toshibas XXH81 and XXH82 crt RPTVs, an upconverting Component DVD player will bypass the Toshibas inferior processing and result in a much better image.

Generally speaking I do not recommend an up converting player for crt RPTVs that natively display 480p (Mits, Pioneer, Sony). Also generally speaking I do not recommend DVI connections for crt displays.

Regards

Gregg

ChrisWiggles · 10-21-2005, 01:57 PM

you should explore teatertek for your PC, run that in VMR9 renderless mode and it will be superior to all but the most expensive upscaling players, and a great deal more flexible in resolution output. This depends on the capabilities of the PC, however, I'm assuming you have a good PC.

**HTF Ads**

Chris Gerhard · 10-21-2005, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Also generally speaking I do not recommend DVI connections for crt displays.

I slightly prefer the DVI connection with my Sony XBR910. The difference certainly isn't great and the biggest benefit is having another HD connection in addition to the two component connections.

Chris

BrianShort · 10-23-2005, 11:31 PM

Thanks for the replies... The price on the Oppo player is tempting... I'm going to take a look at the Theatertek stuff right now.



Skin Chooser:	Contact Us - Advertising Information - Home Theater Forum - Archive - Top