HD DVD player with HD-ready HDTV component only

[hbecs024]

I have questions before I buy the new Toshiba HD DVD player with upconversion. I have couple years old Panasonic CRT 53" HD-Ready TV and only has components input. Currently I have HD cableTV connects to one of the component input and the HD picture looks great. Now I am thinking to get the HD DVD player and wondering if the picture will be the same if I connect to the second component input? Also how this will affect the upconversion signal with my dvd collection? Do you think its worth to get this HD DVD player to view my dvds via component? How about viewing HD DVDs? Thank you for the reply.

[jman98]

I don't have an HD-DVD player, but I think a bigger issue for you may be the audio. Be sure BEFORE you buy anything that you find out how you have to connect the audio because I've heard some talk that these players may require HDMI connections for audio and this can be a gigantic problem for a lot of us if that's correct. I have a 2 year old receiver that's perfectly fine except it has no HDMI input connections, as none of the receivers at the time had. My understanding is that HD-DVD players do allow component video output, but that is only because of the "goodness of the hearts" (heavy sarcasm here) of Hollywood who grudgingly agreed for now to not downgrade video component output. However, they left open the possibility that they may do so in the future as the HD-DVD format does allow for the discs to downgrade the video output to something a little under 720p if HDMI is not used.

In summary, video component output WILL work for sure for now, but maybe not in the future. I use a standard DVD player over component output and it looks great on my TV. Be sure to find out how you have to hook up the audio to avoid any unpleasant surprises after you buy.

[edDV]

I don't have an HD-DVD player, but I think a bigger issue for you may be the audio. Be sure BEFORE you buy anything that you find out how you have to connect the audio because I've heard some talk that these players may require HDMI connections for audio and this can be a gigantic problem for a lot of us if that's correct. I have a 2 year old receiver that's perfectly fine except it has no HDMI input connections, as none of the receivers at the time had. My understanding is that HD-DVD players do allow component video output, but that is only because of the "goodness of the hearts" (heavy sarcasm here) of Hollywood who grudgingly agreed for now to not downgrade video component output. However, they left open the possibility that they may do so in the future as the HD-DVD format does allow for the discs to downgrade the video output to something a little under 720p if HDMI is not used.

In summary, video component output WILL work for sure for now, but maybe not in the future. I use a standard DVD player over component output and it looks great on my TV. Be sure to find out how you have to hook up the audio to avoid any unpleasant surprises after you buy.

They didn't implement (turn on) HDCP on the first batch of media because:

1) First hit of cocaine is free right? Get them hooked first.
2) Many influential customers recently bought non-compatible HDTV sets for >$3000 and will be pissed.
3) The HDCP compatible equipment doesn't quite work yet.
4) Wait for second generation HDTV buys to enforce HDCP.

When HDCP is turned on you need an encrypted path for video display and audio although audio encryption is implemented separately. This means you need a new audio receiver as well as a new HDTV.

If you use YPbPr analog component, resolution drops to 960x540 (quarter resolution) or less. Optionally for the media producer, analog component and non-HDCP DVI can be forced to black.

[hbecs024]

Thank you jman for your reply. I have a nice receiver which can do the audio output for me. I just came back from Busybuy and the technician told me that it might be a waste of money to get the HD DVD player now since I don't have HDMI output on my TV set. The upconversion feature will not work via component and viewing HD DVD disk might be just the same as progressive scan DVD player I have now. I guess I will start saving money for a LCD or Plasma HDTV NOW.....

[edDV]

Thank you jman for your reply. I have a nice receiver which can do the audio output for me. I just came back from Busybuy and the technician told me that it might be a waste of money to get the HD DVD player now since I don't have HDMI output on my TV set. The upconversion feature will not work via component and viewing HD DVD disk might be just the same as progressive scan DVD player I have now. I guess I will start saving money for a LCD or Plasma HDTV NOW.....

See? Their strategy is working. You bought first class equipment a few years ago and now they are forcing you to obsolete it prematurely. There is no technical reason that HD DVD can't be presented on the analog component connection. They get two high end buys for TV and audio system when it could have been one.

[hbecs024]

I understand if they are trying to sell me something at the store. But I have been reading posts online and confirmed that the new HD DVD player might not be the best thing to go with my older generation CRT TV with only components input. Although HD cableTV looks HD-like and I am loving it, but I think I will wait for a while until I really need to upgrade my TV then I will get the HD DVD player...

[edDV]

I understand if they are trying to sell me something at the store. But I have been reading posts online and confirmed that the new HD DVD player might not be the best thing to go with my older generation CRT TV with only components input. Although HD cableTV looks HD-like and I am loving it, but I think I will wait for a while until I really need to upgrade my TV then I will get the HD DVD player...

With HDCP (content encryption to monitor) turned off, you will get full 1080i or 720p HD versions on your analog component player outputs. It will be equal to better than what you get from broadcast. Probably better.

The rub comes when "Hollywood" starts releasing discs with HDCP turned on. Then your player downgrades output for those new discs to only 960x540. Or at the option of the disc producer, analog component/DVI and/or audio may be cut entirely* without an encrypted path (i.e. HDCP compliant equipment).

A fanboy will react that he needs to buy everything all over again to play these new discs. A person like me will question why my earlier generation equipment is being obsoleted (especially on the used market) and I am being forced? to buy all new equipment.

My thoughts would be, shouldn't Sony, Visio, Panasonic, Philips, et. al. be forced to refund the price of my "HD Ready" equipment so long as I use the proceeds to buy new "Truely this time HD Ready" equipment?


* I'm picturing "Boston HD/BD DVD party!"

[hbecs024]

I understand if they are trying to sell me something at the store. But I have been reading posts online and confirmed that the new HD DVD player might not be the best thing to go with my older generation CRT TV with only components input. Although HD cableTV looks HD-like and I am loving it, but I think I will wait for a while until I really need to upgrade my TV then I will get the HD DVD player...

With HDCP (content encryption to monitor) turned off, you will get full 1080i or 720p HD versions on your analog component player outputs. It will be equal to better than what you get from broadcast. Probably better.

The rub comes when "Hollywood" starts releasing discs with HDCP turned on. Then your player downgrades output for those new discs to only 960x540. Or at the option of the disc producer, analog component/DVI and/or audio may be cut entirely without an encrypted path (i.e. HDCP compliant equipment).

A fanboy will react that he needs to buy everything all over again to play these new discs. A person like me will question why my earlier generation equipment is being obsoleted (especially on the used market) and I am being forced? to buy all new equipment.

My thoughts would be, shouldn't Sony, Visio, Panasonic, Philips, et. al. be forced to refund the price of my "HD Ready" equipment so long as I use the proceeds to buy new "Truely this time HD Ready" equipment?

I surely would love to have those big TV makers refund some money on my older generation "HD'Ready" TV. Its soo hard to keep up with the technologies that coming up every year. I remember when I bought my TV couple years ago and it was top of the line HD-Ready TV and costed me a fortune. Now I am forced to either give up to someone, sell it for like 100 bucks, or dump it to the trash....

[edDV]

Amen Bro !
We paid 2-6x times current prices and should expect 10 years of useful life.

[hbecs024]

Amen Bro !
We paid 2-6x times current prices and should expect 10 years of useful life.

Tell me about it... It seems only last about 4 years since I got it... Got to love the technologies!!

[edDV]

Amen Bro !
We paid 2-6x times current prices and should expect 10 years of useful life.

Tell me about it... It seems only last about 4 years since I got it... Got to love the technologies!!

Yeah but computer tech may advance in performance but you can still install XP and run Doom on a Pentium 1 if you live with the slow performance.

The HDTV equipment we bought is capable of HD playback from HD/BD discs. It is the encryption that was added after the sale that prevents us from using our HDTV sets as represented when sold.

I think the industry should either refrain from using HDCP or buy back our equipment.

[louthewiz]

I had the same problem as the OP but found a way around that very same problem with my Toshiba HD-DVD player.
I bought an hdmi transcoder that changes the digital signal to analog component video and I can watch ALL my dvds at 1080i and it removes HDCP.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VisionFC3-HDCP-digital-DVI-to-Component-Video-Converter_W0QQitemZ3...QQcmdZViewItem

[hbecs024]

I had the same problem as the OP but found a way around that very same problem.
I bought an hdmi transcoder that changes the digital signal to analog component video and I can watch ALL my dvds at 1080i.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VisionFC3-HDCP-digital-DVI-to-Component-Video-Converter_W0QQitemZ3...QQcmdZViewItem

Hi Lauthewiz, do you see any difference on upconversion with your dvds?

[edDV]

I had the same problem as the OP but found a way around that very same problem.
I bought an hdmi transcoder that changes the digital signal to analog component video and I can watch ALL my dvds at 1080i.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VisionFC3-HDCP-digital-DVI-to-Component-Video-Converter_W0QQitemZ3...QQcmdZViewItem

Hi Lauthewiz, do you see any difference on upconversion with your dvds?

Also which HDTV are you using?
Many early HD Ready sets do better with 480p. It depends on the technology.

[hummer]

well if i may give my 50 cents ... its like this hdmi/dvi : best quality , better sound i have my xbox 360 with the HD DVD ad on and because its not the Elite model i have it running in components and my lcd converts to 1080p and the image quality is wonderfull sound also great . i also know that there is 2 kinds of the cheaper toshiba . one that does 1080i and the other that goes to 1080p the best thing is : get one of them and try it out on your tv set . the bottom line is you are the one that can dicide if the image is great with a HD DVD and if your normal DVD`s seem betther than when you see them on normal dvd player .

cheers