Upconverting DVD players

[CrayonEater]

I'm new to the whole HDTV thing and I just have a few questions. I have a 720p HDTV, a 26" LCD Sylvania SSL2026. It does not have DVI inputs, but it does have every other kind, including HDMI. However, most of the discussions centering around HD upconversion seem to involve large-screen TVs and 1080i or better.

My question is, would an upconverting DVD player make a difference with this TV, given the inputs, screen size and resolution?

[Krispy Kritter]

If you buy in to the whole upconverting dvd player theory, then yes. They will upconvert from 480i/p to 720p or 1080i.

Sometimes you can tell a difference, sometimes not. Also, some of the players won't upconvert commercial discs.

[gshelley61]

26" is a relatively small screen... unless you are sitting only a few feet from it, an upscaling player will probably not help that much. From normal viewing distances (over 6 ft for a screen that size) you are unlikely to see any difference. However, up-converting players are pretty inexpensive these days, so it doesn't hurt to try one and see how it looks.

You would set the HDMI output of an up-converting player to 1280x720p for your display.

The Sony DVP-NS75H can be bought for around $100 and is an excellent unit.

[CrayonEater]

Thanks. That's precisely what I suspected. I'm not a big fan of Sony due to the whole rootkit thing but I will look into similar players, and I appreciate the advice. I might spring for an Oppo if I can find one under $150. Thing about the Oppo is, the 971HD apparently only makes use of it's high-end upconversion capabilities when using a DVI connection, which I don't have. I wonder if the Faroudja chipset works with HDMI in the newer 981HD.

Thanks to you too, Krispy.

[gshelley61]

DVI and HDMI have the same digital video signal... HDMI is just a newer connector type that carries the digital audio stream, too.

All you need is a DVI to HDMI cable to use a device with DVI output.

www.Monoprice.com is the best place to buy HDMI and DVI cables

[MJA]

Zenith DVB612 DVD Player at circuitcity $59 or the LG Model: DN191H from bestbuy for$69 I own the LG its not bad at all for sure it's not like the Oppo,and both don't come with HDMI cable

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7726856&type=product&id=1140391964136&ref=10&loc=01

The LG got a card reader and it plays divx.

http://www.shop4tech.com/user.htm?go=view_item&id=3695&cata=3&s_cata=154 for cables

[ofbarea]

... I might spring for an Oppo if I can find one under $150. Thing about the Oppo is, the 971HD apparently only makes use of it's high-end upconversion capabilities when using a DVI connection, which I don't have. I wonder if the Faroudja chipset works with HDMI in the newer 981HD.

All you need is a DVI to HDMI cable to use a device with DVI output.

The Oppo OPDV971H includes a cable to convert DVI to HDMI. Probably you will find it less than $200, but I do not think you will get for $150. This unit does not support 480i or 1080p over DVI, but this is not a big deal. Component output of this unit will only provide 480i.

The newer DV-981HD does not have component outputs, but its HDMI will allow all resolutions and audio pass through. The Faroudja chipset in this implementation allows 1080p.

Probably the cheaper DV-970HD will be good enough for your screen size. It does not have the Faroudja chipset, but it still rated very good. This one has component output and HDMI. THe HDMI interface of this unit could be used to pass DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD (SACD).

[MJA]

I heard alot of good reviews about the SAMSUNG DVD-HD960 Hi-Def Conversion DVD Player it also have Faroudja chipset.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=673545

[CrayonEater]

Ok, all this has helped a lot. Here's a conclusion I've come to based on what I've read here and elsewhere, and I'd like your opinions:

Viewing distance and screen size have a lot to do with whether hi-def/upconverted hi-def makes a difference over standard def. As far as my 26" set goes, I'd probably have to sit no more than 5 feet away to see a difference. Were it a bigger set, I'd be able to get a better viewing distance up to a point. I plan to either put this TV in my bedroom (about a 5' distance) or in the den (about 12' viewing distance).

If that's the case, then perhaps I'd be best off forgetting about the Samsung or Oppos and picking up the LG, Zenith or maybe a Panasonic S52 or Philips 5960. Those higher-end units would be more meaningful if I had a larger TV. I still haven't ruled them out though.

Is this a valid conclusion? Criticism is fine!

[Krispy Kritter]

You've come to the correct conclusions. Based on your TV size, you should base your standalone purchase just on whatever options, features, ratings or whatever you want/need in a DVD player. Even upconverting players aren't much more expensive (if any) over non-upconverting units.

Basically, just get a DVD player with the features you want and call it a day. If you concerned over video quality, check a site such as this one for reviews: http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=all

Upconversion is mostly a marketing gimmick. DVD's are only 480i/p. If you want higher resolution, then go HD (HD-DVD/BluRay).

[edDV]

Unless all you watch are movie DVDs, more important for most people with a progressive display is quality inverse telecine and other deinterlacing of 480i DVD.

That needs priority for DVD player investment. What is the point of upscaling blend deinterlace errors?