Up converting DVD

[Mike295]

what is an up converting dvd player

[carl_g]

what is an up converting dvd player
An upconverting DVD player takes the DVD's 720x480 (480i) resolution and jacks it up to 720p or 1080i.

[ffejtable]

and if you are in the market for one, I would highly recommend a philips 5982... its well under $100 and will upconvert to 1080p, will play MP3s off of DVD (most will only play MP3s off CD-R), supports DivX, and even has a USB port, which will allow you to hook up an external HD and play movies right off of that if you want to.

[Mike295]

and if you are in the market for one, I would highly recommend a philips 5982... its well under $100 and will upconvert to 1080p, will play MP3s off of DVD (most will only play MP3s off CD-R), supports DivX, and even has a USB port, which will allow you to hook up an external HD and play movies right off of that if you want to.

well i am sold

[CBRBob]

If you have a true 1080 tv, you should get a HD/BluRay DVD player and NOT upconvert.

[RCM78]

+1 To what Bobbo said.
Upconverting will never look as good as a real HD signal.

The panasonic DMP-BD30 is a very good Blu-Ray player. The next best thing is the Sony playstation 3...

[carl_g]

I think Blue-ray is going to go the way of the beta max. Plus they do not support the porn industry. I think HD DVD will win

[John712]

I'm confused here, but aren't DVD's already HD.? what's the difference between Blue Ray HD DVD and just you're regular DVD.? Everytime I go to the store, I'm always trying to be sold those Blue Ray dics

[bondo]

DVDs are a step above VHS but they are not HD.

I just went through all of this last month and bought the Toshiba HD-A3.
It upconverts regular DVDs so the same old DVDs really do look better.
It also plays HD DVDs, which are even better.

My TV is good for 720p so there's no use in having a HD-DVD player that plays 1080p. People will argue it's tough to see the difference unless you are right on top of the TV, like in the store.
What DVD player to get really depends on what TV you have.

After converting... regular TV actually looks blurry.


Resolution Specs for comparison:
HDTV: 1920x1080 (1080 Flat screen TV)
HDTV: 1280x720 (Hi-Res 16:9) (720 flat screen TV)
DVD: 540x480 (4:3) (progressive scan)
Laser Disc: 425x482 (4:3)
DVD: 405x480 (16:9) (progressive scan)
S-VHS: 400x482
Broadcast: 330x482
CABLE: 330x482
BETA: 250x482
VHS: 240x482

[Mike295]

ok so this is the tv i got... http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-HCN4226W-Widescreen-Projection-HD-Ready/dp/tech-data/B00009RTPD/ref=de_a_smtd
would it make a difference. ?

[SPL170db]

ok so this is the tv i got... http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-HCN4226W-Widescreen-Projection-HD-Ready/dp/tech-data/B00009RTPD/ref=de_a_smtd
would it make a difference. ?

That TV only supports resolutions up to 720p via component it looks like. It says in the specs that it has 1 DVI input, but no HDMI's

[Mike295]

That TV only supports resolutions up to 720p via component it looks like. It says in the specs that it has 1 DVI input, but no HDMI's

ok so what does that exactly mean/. and when i try to change resolutions during a show i cant. i get the blue screen.

[RCM78]

Your TV defaults to 720p using the component video jacks. It's capapble of 1080i using the DVI(Digital Video Input).

Do you have 5 RCA jacks running from your cable box to the TV? Or are you using the DVI cable and two audio RCA jacks?

[Mike295]

I am using componet jacks for both the direct tv and for the dvd. OK so basicly if i get the dvi input i would actually get better 1080i on my direct tv also.

[RCM78]

I am using componet jacks for both the direct tv and for the dvd. OK so basicly if i get the dvi input i would actually get better 1080i on my direct tv also.

Yes, if you use a DVI your TV should resolve to 1080i as long as the channel your watching broadcast's on 1080i. Some broadcast 720p.

[BurnCycle]

I think Blue-ray is going to go the way of the beta max. Plus they do not support the porn industry. I think HD DVD will win

So not happening.

The porn thing is a myth BTW (proof (http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/445). And on a side note... Do we really want porn in HD? :lol:

I look at is this way... How many companies are making HD-DVD players... How many are making Bluray?

The other thing I found amazing is that one of the HD-DVD players from Toshiba was only 1080i!

I use an upscaling DVD player (1080p) on my 'living room' TV which is a 42" 1080p. It does a nice job of making a normal DVD look a lot better. My PS3 takes care of Bluray movies on the 60" in the theater room.

[bondo]

A normal DVD looks noticably better when played in a upconvert DVD player.
HD DVDs look even better.

Like RCM78 says, that TV should display 1080i resolution via the component video cables. See page 2.8 - Here's a link to the manual (http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/200306/20030623145817468_P55A_00054A_02_0424.pdf)

and a link to the Toshiba HD-A3 - 720p/1080i DVD player (http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-HD-A3-720p-1080i-Player/dp/B000U62N1S) - $182 shipped + 5-7 free HD DVDs
It was released in Nov 2007 as an improvement to the HD-A2. This DVD player will also display what resolution it's sending to the TV. Lock it in 1080i and enjoy.

Only drawbacks to this unit is the bootup time. Turn it on and wait about 1 minute before you can do anything with it. I hear that's the same with most of the HD / BluRay units. Older ones apparently take longer.

good luck and Merry Christmas!

[bondo]

The other thing I found amazing is that one of the HD-DVD players from Toshiba was only 1080i!

Which is fine if you want to spend $180 and get 5 or 7 free HD DVDs
and your TV does not display 1080p

Toshiba also makes 1080p HD-DVD capable models for $300-500+

[RCM78]

The panny blue-ray player I mentioned above will power up, open the tray, and load the disk in less then 60 seconds. It's also suposed to handle all the extra features seamlessly.

[Mike295]

A normal DVD looks noticably better when played in a upconvert DVD player.
HD DVDs look even better.

Like RCM78 says, that TV should display 1080i resolution via the component video cables. See page 2.8 - Here's a link to the manual (http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/200306/20030623145817468_P55A_00054A_02_0424.pdf)

and a link to the Toshiba HD-A3 - 720p/1080i DVD player (http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-HD-A3-720p-1080i-Player/dp/B000U62N1S) - $182 shipped + 5-7 free HD DVDs
It was released in Nov 2007 as an improvement to the HD-A2. This DVD player will also display what resolution it's sending to the TV. Lock it in 1080i and enjoy.

Only drawbacks to this unit is the bootup time. Turn it on and wait about 1 minute before you can do anything with it. I hear that's the same with most of the HD / BluRay units. Older ones apparently take longer.

good luck and Merry Christmas!

thanks a ton. I downloaded the manual. Awsome find for me. even using the compnet hookups i can never get a 720 broadcast