What is the difference between a regular dvd player ?

[kayiman74]

What is the difference between progressive scan dvd player and any ather dvd player?

is it better to buy a progressive scan dvd player?
does it play any dvd you put in there?

Thanks

[andkiich]

The answer is as easy as looking at the definition of progressive/interlaced.

Definitions from the VideoHelp Glossary.

Progressive Scan:
A video scanning system that displays all lines of a frame in one pass. Contrast with interlaced scan.

Interlaced:
Each frame of a video picture is scanned twice. Firstly, all the odd lines are broadcast, then all the even lines are broadcast. Each set of odd/even lines is known as a field. Two fields therefore make up a frame. The point of doing this is to reduce flicker, and not increase bandwidth.

A progressive scan DVD player can display DVDs in either of the above formats. A standard DVD player can play DVDs in only interlaced format.

The real difference will depend on whether or not your TV can play back interlaced or progressive video and the way you have the DVD player hooked up to said TV.

[kayiman74]

Thanks for the quick answer.

[Shocker Milwaukee]

You need a TV capable of progressive scan display to reap the benefits of a progressive scan DVD player. Generally, HDTV projection TVs, plasmas, DLPs, LCDs are capable & old fashioned tube TVs aren't. I don't know if there are newer CRT (tube) models that are capable... I'm sure many members here can/will post an answer to this.