Problems with showing higher than 480i

[Ensaine]

Almost 2 years ago, I bought the TV. I enjoy it very much but I have some problems understanding some things.

When I saw it in the store, the picture quality was awesome! They even played some DVD's that looked spectacular. Currently, I typically use it to play DVD's and I rarely watch TV. So, mainly DVD's.

My problem is this, however. The DVD's in the store looked sooo much better than they do for me. I was originally using S-Video and decided to try out the Component video cables. It's pretty much the same quality, at least to me anyway. Also, the TV tells me what res its running at, and even during DVD playback, it shows it as 480i.

I am currently using an APEX AD-5131 player. I believe that this might be my problem. A friend of mine told me that he read on another forum somewhere that this particular model didn't use any sort of true component output and that it acted more as a medium rather than providing the potential that component usually does. Based on what I've tried, I am believing him.

Is my picture so bad because of the player? And if so, which one should I get? The TV doesn't have DVI, so that is out of the question, but it does support 480i, 480p, and 1080i via DTV and Component inputs. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Ens

[Ensaine]

Even a point in the right direction would be appreciated. Thanks!

[mpojeep]

Does your DVD player have a progessive mode which you can enable?
If it does,try enabling it.Maybe this will help.

[Ensaine]

Unfortunately, I don't believe it does. The player is even older than the TV. About 3 yrs I think.

Is that what I would need in order to bring out the higher quality video?

I don't mind spending money on a new player just as long as I know that it will improve the quality, because right now, it's just NOTHING compared to what I know its capable of.

[mpojeep]

Dont quote me on this but I believe that since your TV can support both the "i" and "p" formats(ex: 480i,480p), it will certainly show its best when connected to a progressive scan dvd player. I own a Panasonic(I forgot the model number but I only got it last year) that has progessive scan in it.I believe I paid around $185.00 for it.I liked the picture quality and it plays all my backup dvds too without a hiccup.I also used the component output.

[Ensaine]

Hmm. Ok. I'll head on out today and see what I can find in a decent price range then I guess. I wish my TV had DVI out, but I think I got it just when that trend was starting. Sigh....

I just hope that the problem IS my DVD player and not me setting it up wrong.

Thanks.

Ens

[mpojeep]

Hopefully if you get a progessive scan dvd player and it does not fix your problem you can return it.
Before you buy another dvd player,go back to the store where you bought your tv and ask them about the recommended setting for your tv.You might also ask them for a recommendation for a good dvd player with progressive scan.
Good Luck!

[Ensaine]

Will do!

Just another quick question, slightly off-topic, but honestly, is 480p a lot better than 480i? I've been doing some searches around the forums here and the consensus seems to point to "yes", but its not clear as to how much better really.

Do you happen to know or have an opinion about it? Thanks!

[mpojeep]

My opinion is yes,it makes a lot of difference especially if you have hdtv.
Just out of curiosity, I viewed a movie with the progressive scan mode on my player enabled and then disabled and I must say that the picture quality was really discernible between the two modes.
By the way, you can tell if your tv is detecting whether the signal is progressive or not by observing whether the tv mode is in "i" or "p".
"i" means that progessive scan is not enabled and/or functioning.

[Ensaine]

Yeah. I'm fortunate enough to have my TV let me know what mode the display is in between various inputs. It's always said 480i.

Thank you so much for the info. I'll be heading out at around lunch time to check on a progressive scan dvd player now .

How are those Samsung dvd players? Are they ok? I think Best Buy has a couple around the $100 range. Any suggestions?

[mpojeep]

I'm not a good source to ask about that brand becuase I'm biased towards the panasonic brand---never gave me any problems and plays all my backups without any problems.
If you decide to get a panasonic,try this link or go to the panasonic site:

http://www.circuitcity.com/searchresults.jsp?catoid=-8039&department=DVD+Players+and+V...sp&c=1&b=g&u=c

As you can see, this is from Circuit City(Hopefully you live in USA or you won't have a clue about Circuit City.LOL)

[mpojeep]

Sorry for not being very observant.I take it that you live in the U.S---you mentioned Best Buy.My bad!

[Ensaine]

Would something like this be ok as well? I have an optical cable currently. I'd prefer to get a player that has that capability so I don't have to buy another cable

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1074788111702&skuId=6307971&productCategory...3&type=product

I notice it says it plays DVD-R. Does that mean just the -R format? Or does that mean just burned DVD media in general? I use +R for media.

[mpojeep]

I think that player will work.
As far as "+R" is concerned, I dont know but the "-R" should play without any problems.