Help with finding dvd player for a non-HD tv

[missvanderhoven]

Hello,

I have a large TV but it's NOT HD (It's relatively modern, was purchased just before HD/plasmas became all the rage). I'm looking to buy a dvd player, preferably with DivX capacities, but I can't seem to figure out what DVD players will be compatible with a non-hd television. I live in Canada. Do upconverting dvd players need to be used with a hdtv (bestbuy only offers upconverting dvd players it appears)?

Does anyone know of a DVD player that'll play multiple formats (hoping to find one that plays divx) and work with a non-HD television? Sorry to be such an imbecile but try as I might I can't seem to google my way out of this bind. Thanks.

[samijubal]

Upconvert players don't have to be used with an HDTV, they all have analog outputs.

[guns1inger]

DVD is essentially an SD device. Upscaling is a bonus. I have yet to see a DVD player that doesn't support SD televisions. I suspect the even most Bluray players support them as well. Anything with component or s-video outputs will do you (assuming your TV has at least s-video in)

[edDV]

I was surprised my latest Philips 5992 DVD player lacked an S-Video output.

If your analog TV is a late model, it may have an analog component input (Y Pb Pr). Most all DVD players have these outputs and this is your best option. Analog component for this type of TV should be set to 480i (either 4:3 or 16:9). If your TV lacks this input, make sure the DVD player you choose has next best S-Video out.

[victoriabears]

Places like Wal Mart and Canadian Tire still stock non up converting dvd players, and they are cheaper too.

[missvanderhoven]

Hrmm, okay well thank you for the assistance. On Best Buy it seems to indicate that some of their players aren't compatible, and not a single DVD player is marketed to anyone without an HDTV. If I ended up buying one that was less than perfectly compatible are there any convertors/cables I could invest in to salvage the buy, or should I be weary?

I wish I could offer more specs, however, my tv's in storage until moving day. I vaguely remember, yellow/white/red coaxials. Although I can't say if that's it because I ignored any plugs which weren't of use to me in the past.

Any recommendations on a specific DVD player to track down? I'm sure you'd have much better advice than anyone in any of the retail outlets selling them. I would like the capacity to play .avi files (as aforementioned) if possible.

Thanks Again. I really appreciate it.

[missvanderhoven]

Victoriabears, did you happen to notice if any of the prehistoric players Walmart/Can Tire had played DivX?

[victoriabears]

can tire have a web site and wal mart sell, at least herem Philips ones that do divx.

As has been said, most dvd players that up convert will do SD, I am not convinced about the benefit of S Video or even component, but that's my opinion.

[edDV]

...
I wish I could offer more specs, however, my tv's in storage until moving day. I vaguely remember, yellow/white/red coaxials. Although I can't say if that's it because I ignored any plugs which weren't of use to me in the past.

RF outputs (Channel 3/4) have disappeared from most current DVD players*.

I have yet to see a DVD player without basic composite video (Yellow) and base audio (Red,White).

A better connection is S-Video instead of composite and/or digital audio instead of red/white.

Better yet is 480i analog component Y,Pb,Pr (Green, Blue, Red).

Beyond that there may be progressive 480p analog componet and/or HD upscale 720p, 1080i capability on analog component or HDMI connectors. Ignor these for your current TV.


* You can buy an external modulator that converts Yellow/Red/White to RF for the older TV sets.