Up-Converting DVD Player Pickle

[Crom]

I have a 51' Sony Widescreen Rear Projection HDTV. (http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?src=FG&item=62061) My dvd player crapped out recently so I picked up the Sony DVPNS55P/S Single Disc Player. (http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DVPNS55P-Single-Disc-Player/dp/B000EDG6EM/sr=1-3/qid=116504...&s=electronics) With this player the picture isn't what it once was. A scene that's brightly lit looks oversaturated with color to the point of it being blurry and there's just an overall grainy look to it. While it's not utterly terrible I can easily notice these things and it's distracting as all hell.

So I go into Best Buy and I'm leaning towards picking up the Samsung DVD-HD960 Up-Converting DVD Player. (http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-DVD-HD960-Up-Converting-DVD-Player/dp/B000EICPQU/ref=acc...350059-5473765) But I then remember that my TV has a DVI connection instead of an HDMI. I then ask someone if HDMI - DVI Cables would do the trick and he says that it would actually downgrade the picture somewhat due to mixing up the two different inputs.

So now I'm pissed but he then tells me that the Samsung player would provide better picture quality than the Sony I want to return even without the HDMI hookup. My local Best Buy doesn't have much selection when it comes to dvd players so I'm kinda in a pickle. Basically I'm asking is this guy right? Would the Samsung provide better picture quality than the Sony DVPNS55P even without the HDMI hookup? I'm using HD component jacks if that helps at all.

[edDV]

First, are you sure the DVD player has failed and not the HDTV? This set has rear projection CRT technology and is probably 2+ years old. As such it is probably in need of an alignment.

You can quickly verify if the problem is the DVD player by playing it to another TV or borrowing a different player for this set.

Do you have a HD tuner connected? Do the colors look different from that?

The KP-51WS510 probably has a maximum resolution somewhere around 1000x800 to 1280x720 when properly adjusted. DVD resolution is 720x480. A good upscaling DVD player might have some benefit with a 720p connection.

DVI to DVI should work. HDMI to DVI should work but consult the manual online for any gotchas.

You should be aware that commercial DVDs won't upscale (blocked) so it will only work for non-copy protected DVD's or those you make yourself.

I would give priority to a true HD source for the only DVI input such a HD cable or dbs box. The advantage for normal DVD will be minor.

[manono]

Hi-

I then ask someone if HDMI - DVI Cables would do the trick and he says that it would actually downgrade the picture somewhat due to mixing up the two different inputs.

He's full of it. You only lose the audio that HDMI can carry and DVI can't. Digital is digital.

However, DVI outputs 8 bit RGB signals only and cannot carry 10 bit video like HDMI can (actually it can carry up to 12 bits). To take advantage of that slight extra HDMI quality (mainly a slight contouring improvement), you'll need both a player and a display capable of handling more than 8 bits. They are still pretty scarce. And it doesn't sound like that's what he's talking about anyway.

My suggestion, before returning the player, is to calibrate the TV to the player. At the very least run the THX Optimizer found on the Star Wars DVDs, as well as hundreds of other DVDs. Every time you change players, you have to recalibrate. It may be as simple as tweaking the contrast and brightness.

I don't know which is the better player, as neither is in the database here:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=all

And if you have digital connections on both the player and the TV, you should take advantage of them, in preference to using component.

[manono]

You should be aware that commercial DVDs won't upscale (blocked) so it will only work for non-copy protected DVD's or those you make yourself.

Under what conditions? If he uses an HDMI to DVI cable? Yes, over component the player can't upconvert. If he plans on keeping the TV for awhile, a DVD player outputting over DVI to the DVI input on the TV set can certainly upconvert.

[Crom]

Do you have a HD tuner connected?

No I do not. If it isn't obvious I'm a layman and I just started readed up on DVI/HDMI & whatnot.

[Crom]

My suggestion, before returning the player, is to calibrate the TV to the player. At the very least run the THX Optimizer found on the Star Wars DVDs, as well as hundreds of other DVDs. Every time you change players, you have to recalibrate. It may be as simple as tweaking the contrast and brightness.

Yeah I did that. Since I don't have a player with a DVI connection the part where you have to line up the words in blue, cyan, & magenta is disabled.I also got an oval circle on the part where you're supposed to get a perfect circle surrounded by 2 rectangles. I forget what that means exactly. To my surprise I realized today that I got a 4 year warranty with the TV so I made an appointment to have it cleaned. It's in a basement and it gets a little mildewy in the summer so hopefully that'll help some.

And if you have digital connections on both the player and the TV, you should take advantage of them, in preference to using component.

I'm with you but my Best Buy doesn't have any players that include a DVI connection. So I'm stuck with this shite Sony player unless I want to risk getting the Samsung and using a DVI/HDMI cable. Descisions, decisions... Thanks alot for your input guys. I really appreciate it.

[edDV]

You should be aware that commercial DVDs won't upscale (blocked) so it will only work for non-copy protected DVD's or those you make yourself.

Under what conditions? If he uses an HDMI to DVI cable? Yes, over component the player can't upconvert. If he plans on keeping the TV for awhile, a DVD player outputting over DVI to the DVI input on the TV set can certainly upconvert.

Yes, I was also responsing to another poster last night who was looking for analog component upscale and I got the two threads confused. HDMI to DVI should allow upscale.

I checked and the DVI connection on the KP51WS510 also supports HDCP so it can even potentially receive HD/BD DVD .

Crom's picture problems could be due to the player but if the player gain and brightness are returned to default and the problems are still present, the TV probably needs internal alignment or repair. That will improve his picture quality more than spending the money on a new DVD player.

[edDV]

My suggestion, before returning the player, is to calibrate the TV to the player. At the very least run the THX Optimizer found on the Star Wars DVDs, as well as hundreds of other DVDs. Every time you change players, you have to recalibrate. It may be as simple as tweaking the contrast and brightness.

Yeah I did that. Since I don't have a player with a DVI connection the part where you have to line up the words in blue, cyan, & magenta is disabled.I also got an oval circle on the part where you're supposed to get a perfect circle surrounded by 2 rectangles. I forget what that means exactly. To my surprise I realized today that I got a 4 year warranty with the TV so I made an appointment to have it cleaned. It's in a basement and it gets a little mildewy in the summer so hopefully that'll help some.

And if you have digital connections on both the player and the TV, you should take advantage of them, in preference to using component.

I'm with you but my Best Buy doesn't have any players that include a DVI connection. So I'm stuck with this shite Sony player unless I want to risk getting the Samsung and using a DVI/HDMI cable. Descisions, decisions... Thanks alot for your input guys. I really appreciate it.

So you have a tech coming in to tune it up? Great. The oval may mean aspect ratio is set wrong or that the TV has drifted out of linearity. Once the TV is in spec, try an upscaling player and see if it looks better on that set. Make sure you can return it if you aren't happy.