Upconvert DVD Recorders; info needed. (1 Viewer)

[arjayvee]

I have just purchased a 40" Sony Bravia W3000 LCD Digital Color TV and have hooked up a one-and-a-half-year-old Panasonic DVD Recorder/VHS combo to it via a component cable. The DVD playback picture results are less than stellar (I do have a Hi-Def cable box). I'm not ready to buy a Blu-Ray player yet, but if I invest in a new DVD recorder that upconverts via an HDMI cable output and digital tuner, do you think the results will be noticeably better --- i.e. a new upconverting model with HDMI hookup vs. an older non-upconverting model with component hookup? That might seem like a no-brainer but I'm in brand-new territory here and I'd heard that picture playback results between HDMI vs. component cable are negligible.

If you do suggest a new machine with HDMI output/digital tuner, any particular models you'd recommend?

Thanks to everyone who takes the time to answer. Much appreciated.

 

[Denton]

My personal experience is limited to players that upconvert to 1080i only. There is a noticeable improvement using my low-level Toshiba HD-DVD player to play DVD's. My equipment requires that I use an HDMI to DVI cable for this connection.

I felt that my Zenith upconverting DVD player offered a similar upgrade. Many folks here on HTF have spoken well of their Oppo players but I have not used one myself.

Welcome to HTF. Good luck with your journey.