Yamaha DVD-C950 - Pal-to-NTSC Conversion over HDMI

[Big C]

I currently use this with an 8-year-old CRT through an RF modulater via composite. Its Pal-to-NTSC conversion is flawless! However, I'm not sure if its DCDi by Faroudja is available via Component, HDMI, or both. This player does use a MediaTek MT1389 as its MPEG decoder. Has anyone played Pal DVDs converted to NTSC over HDMI using this changer? Does it flicker, or is it flawless?

[Grain]

It will use DCDi over both component and hdmi. I have a Yamaha S2500 and it does an excellent pal to ntsc conversion too.

[Big C]

It's good to know that about the 2500. However, the 2500 is a bit of a different beast than the DVD-C950 because of its DivX compatibility, as well as its MPEG decoder. The 2500 uses an LSI Xiva5?/Ziva5 (I forget exactly).

[Grain]

The 2500 uses a LSI Ziva 5 mpeg decoder. However, to respond to your question about DCDi over component, if you look in your owners manual on page 10 where it explains the progressive scan/interlaced switch on the back for the component video outs, and then it goes on to explains the settings for each, for the progressive setting it says that it features the DCDi circuit.

I believe it's the Faroudja chip that does a lot of the pal to ntsc conversion, not the mediatek chip or the ziva. I know that players with just mediatek chips (ex Oppo 970hd) don't have nearly as nice conversions.

[Big C]

As soon as I get an HDTV, I plan on using HDMI for the sake of keeping everything digital. Is Pal-to-NTSC good over HDMI with your 2500?

[Grain]

I have an older HDTV, with only analog inputs ie. component. The 2500 strangely doesn't have as good a picture over HDMI according to http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi , I bot the 2500 after reading they're review. Component tested very high, a 91 score, HDMI was much lower, but as I don't use HDMI, I wasn't concerned. My display doesn't have big chroma issues, so that didn't concern me either. That's a great site for player specs and tests. They really give players the once over, I refer to it all the time. They haven't tested the 950 though. So to answer your question, I haven't used HDMI, and in my case I wouldn't expect as good a picture, but by and large most players are better over HDMI, not worse. Your player might be better over HDMI as it has the mediatek chip, and worst case you could still use component for 1080i, and get great pal conversion.

[Big C]

I've asked about this in a few internet A/V forums. I'm sure someone has used their DVD-C950 over HDMI and will be able to answer my question. Thanks for your help.