is the Momitsu V880dx overkill for my needs?

[ojopaj]

Hi folks,

Newbie here (thought I'd give fair warning).

My new Philips 34PW8402 TV is on its way (HDTV, 16:9, 1080i w/ HDMI, 480p etc).

I'm needing to replace my much-loved Sampo 620, and have been referred to the Momitsu V880dx. The features of the Sampo which I need to replace are these:

-- plays PAL & NTSC
-- region-free hackable
-- macrovision hackable
-- plays MP3s

I need to upgrade to some sort of dvd player (progressive scan I presume) which will look good with the TV I'm getting.

My question is this: Is the Momitsu V880dx overkill for my needs?

From my newbie understanding, a progressive scan dvd player will only output 480p. Which will still look nice on my new tv of course; however if I understand things correctly, the Momitsu will "up convert" to 1080i or something ... if I can get the connections figured out. That's really the only big difference I can find between it and any $75 progressive can dvd player (assuming I can find one that has region & macrovision hacks).

Can anybody tell me, when playing a regular ol' dvd, will I really notice a huge difference between a $75 progressive scan player playing at 480p versus the Momitsu up-converting to 1080i?

Just a little hesitant to spend $269 on the Momitsu versus $75

BTW the connections on the 34PW8402 are as follows:
• S-Video
• Video CVBS, audio L/R in
• AVI:AV in, CVI/YPbPr
• AV2:AV in, S-Video
• AV: HDMI (2fh auto)
• AV5:YPbPr/RGB 2fh

So I THINK I can connect the Momitsu to it...

Sorry for the newbieish, uninformed rambling.
Any help appreciated!
ojo

[gshelley61]

http://www.avsforum.com/

Many threads about this subject and the Momitsu (and other) upscaling DVD players there.

FWIW, I've been running a Bravo D1 upscaling player into my 46" Samsung DLP through the DVI input at 720p for over 20 months. Awesome. 480p over component inputs can't compete. Depends on the type of display you have, though. Large fixed pixel HDTV displays (plasma, DLP, LCD, etc.) benefit the most from upscaled digital video input, while direct view (tube) and projection CRT's don't exhibit much of a difference. Since your Philips is a 34" tube CRT, I don't think you would see much (if any) difference between a good 480p analog component player and a digital upscaling player like the Momitsu. Plus, with the Momitsu you would need to invest in a DVI to HDMI adapter cable (expensive).

[HatchetMan]

I'd get the Oppo, it's cheaper and features the infamous Faroudja chipset.
Both the Momitsu and Oppo are DVI. DVI to HDMI adapter required for your TV (if only HDMI, no DVI input) and so both will also require a seperate audio connection, like optical or coaxial from player to receiver. Also, the V880 Deluxe is hard to find, the V880N replaced it.

[ojopaj]

I'd get the Oppo, it's cheaper and features the infamous Faroudja chipset.

Hm ... according to that webpage, "Unlike Momitsu V880N, OPDV-971H does not support DVI-I, i.e. cannot use any DVI to VGA adapter, it does not support 720P or 1080i via the component connection."

I'm not honestly sure what that means yet, or what it means for the TV I'm getting... It doesn't sound good though, in comparison to the Momitsu.

Also, the 34PW8402 does not have a DVI input, it's HDMI - though the product literature states that HDMI is "Backwardly compatible with video-only DVI-D." Since the Oppo is all DVI does that mean it wouldn't connect w/ the erPW8402?

Finally, the 34PW8402 IS a direct-view tube tv. As such, if I understand the previous post, up-conversion to 1080 won't make much different versus 480p?

thanks again for any help!

[HatchetMan]

I updated my last post earlier since no one had responded to it yet.

Why would you use the component connection anyway?
Momitsu not HDMI.
DVI-I can carry both the digital and analog signal.
No analog on DVD so DVI-D is all you really need.

[gshelley61]

Hm ... according to that webpage, "Unlike Momitsu V880N, OPDV-971H does not support DVI-I, i.e. cannot use any DVI to VGA adapter, it does not support 720P or 1080i via the component connection."

That means you can't use a simple DVI to VGA adapter to hook up to a computer monitor. Also, the upscaling feature only works through the DVI out on the Momitsu, not over the analog component outputs. There are a couple of units, like the Zenith 318, that produce an upscaled image through the component outputs, which is great if you have a HDTV that does not have DVI or HDMI.

Also, the 34PW8402 does not have a DVI input, it's HDMI - though the product literature states that HDMI is "Backwardly compatible with video-only DVI-D." Since the Oppo is all DVI does that mean it wouldn't connect w/ the erPW8402?

Finally, the 34PW8402 IS a direct-view tube tv. As such, if I understand the previous post, up-conversion to 1080 won't make much different versus 480p?

thanks again for any help!

You can use a DVI to HDMI adapter cable to hook up the Momitsu to your TV. And, yes... I think with your type of display an upscaling digital video output DVD player won't produce much visible difference over a good 480p component output (standard progressive scan) unit. You can always invest in the gear and give it a try, though. Perhaps in your case there will be a noticeable improvement.

[ojopaj]

And, yes... I think with your type of display an upscaling digital output DVD player won't produce much visible difference over a good 480p component output (standard progressive scan) unit.

Well poopie. Ok. In that case, I guess I need to get a different recommendation then ... What I need apparently is this:

-- progressive scan
-- plays PAL & NTSC
-- region-free hackable
-- macrovision hackable
-- also (forgot this earlier) must play lots of recordable dvd formats & brands if possible - my Sampo was so darn picky

that's pretty much the same list WITHOUT the upconversion bit. so ... with those in mind ... any other suggestions?

i hate being back to square one. maybe i'll just keep the sampo.

thanks again,
ojo

[HatchetMan]

edit

[ojopaj]

Hi folks,

Thanks for all the help. I'm trying to close this thread, so if anyone has any suggestions on other dvd players for me, please go to

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=248742

thanks!