Giving up HTPC & switching to Marantz DV8400 - need advi

[Duc851]

Hi,
I am interested in purchasing a Marantz DV8400 DVD-A/SACD/DVD-Video Universal player but have some questions regarding video outputs.

Currently I use a 34" Computer Monitor for my display hooked up to a Computer for my DVD player running at 800 x 600 72Hz refresh and the DVD video picture quality is great. My monitor accepts only a 15 pin VGA input for progressive scan.

I also use a DVDO iScan V2 for my satellite receiver which scans to 480p to my monitor using the VGA input (I have a VGA switch to switch from DVDO to computer source).

My question about the Marantz is which video output should I use?
Should I use the DVI-D output with a DVI to VGA converter and will that yield the best video quality?

or

Should I use a component video to VGA transcoder (more expensive) to yield a better video quality?

Does the DV8400 put out 480p progressive scan through both DVI-D and component or does the DVI-D yield a higher resolution?

Will the DV8400 give me better video quality than my computer?

I am not unhappy with the video quality of the computer however it requires far too much time and maintenance with software updating and hardware changes etc...
The Marantz would also offer superior DVD-Audo and SACD playback as well. I can only playback DVD-Audio in my computer with my Audigy 2 analog outputs to my Rotel processor with 6 channel pass through to amplifier. I am positive that I am not getting the most out of my DVD-Audio discs using a computer to play back.

Thanks for any advice

[edDV]

Hi,
I am interested in purchasing a Marantz DV8400 DVD-A/SACD/DVD-Video Universal player but have some questions regarding video outputs.

Currently I use a 34" Computer Monitor for my display hooked up to a Computer for my DVD player running at 800 x 600 72Hz refresh and the DVD video picture quality is great. My monitor accepts only a 15 pin VGA input for progressive scan.

I also use a DVDO iScan V2 for my satellite receiver which scans to 480p to my monitor using the VGA input (I have a VGA switch to switch from DVDO to computer source).

Comment:
A monitor with only VGA input is your main limitation. A computer can create a 480p progressive DVD display for it but DVD players cannot.

A VGA monitor cannot display interlace. Your DVDO iScan V2 line doubler makes a medium to good quality bridge to the 480i interlace world but offers only a compromised solution interfacing to the S-Video output of a DVD player.

This is the basic limitation of a computer monitor used as a TV. It doesn't have the needed TV inputs (e.g. Progressive Component Analog, or DVD-D with HDCP).

My question about the Marantz is which video output should I use?
Should I use the DVI-D output with a DVI to VGA converter and will that yield the best video quality?

Other than the audio features the Marantz DV8400 only adds more connection problems. Ideally you would find a DVD player with progressive out over VGA. VGA pins are included on the DVI-I connector but not on the DVD-D. So you are left with need to convert DVI-D Digital to VGA analog. There are "converter" boxes but the quality match is not ideal.

or

Should I use a component video to VGA transcoder (more expensive) to yield a better video quality?

Y, Pb, Pr (progressive 60 frames/sec) to VGA is not mainstream. Again quality match is the problem.

Does the DV8400 put out 480p progressive scan through both DVI-D and component or does the DVI-D yield a higher resolution?

Yes but not in a VGA compatible form. It will output 480p on DVI and may upscale but I don't see that in the specifications. Upscaling does not increase quality. The data is still 480p.

Will the DV8400 give me better video quality than my computer?

That would depend on the quality of the VGA converter boxes. The best these expensive converters can do is match the quality of the computer.

The Marantz would also offer superior DVD-Audo and SACD playback as well. I can only playback DVD-Audio in my computer with my Audigy 2 analog outputs to my Rotel processor with 6 channel pass through to amplifier. I am positive that I am not getting the most out of my DVD-Audio discs using a computer to play back.

In summary, the Marantz DV8400 is a great audio solution but will probably reduce your progressive DVD video quality at great expense.
If it were me, I would be looking at getting a real EDTV/HDTV monitor with DVI-D/HDMI inputs and use a less expensive DVD player.

You might want to hold on with what you have until you convert for HDTV. At that time you will need a new DVD player and a new monitor. The longer you wait, the cheaper and better they get.