Best video quality setup between upscaling DVD & AVR?

[Janik]

I have a question on setup to ultimately obtain best quality video, and am not totally clear on how best to connect my Philips DVP5982 to my new Onkyo 905 AVR. Should they be connected via HDMI or component video??

The 905 has the good Reon HQV upscaling chip, and I think it is best suited to do any upconverting of the input DVD signal.
The DVD player has the capability to connect via HDMI, component video, Svideo, etc.., but I do not want the DVD player to do the upscaling.

If I choose HDMI link, am I correct in assuming that the output signal from the DVD player is automatically upscaled? I don't want this.

Does the DVD component video output do any upscaling? If not, I think this connection would be the best route, as then the AVR would provide superior upscaling. The connection between the AVR & HDTV is via HDMI.

I just want to clear up any confusion on my part as how to most optimally connect my components together. Any & all thoughts are welcome.

 

[Johnd]

The simple (and correct) answer is: whatever looks best.

Hdmi connection does not automatically upscale the image in this player: you need to set the resolution to auto, or select the best looking picture (480p, 720p, 1080i). Cheers.

 

[Janik]

This is true, emperical data is always the best answer, but I would like to avoid buying both types of cable (HDMI & component) from BlueJeans. They get a bit expensive, & returning them requires effort!

I guess I am looking at a more conceptual level, what are the basic differences between how these two signals work, and their interaction between the connected devices.

 

[MDS]

HDMI is digital and carries both audio and video as well as control info and copy protection (HDCP) data. Component video is analog. Both can handle full 1080p HD signals.

Component video will work 100% of the time. HDMI isn't quite as reliable because not all devices play nice together.

 

[Janik]

But does component video output do any upscaling of the signal?

I know that component out is an analog signal. So if upscaling is done, does that mean the signal is first upscaled, then converted to analog before being sent out? Or is there no upscaling of a component video output?

This may be obvious to some, but I simply don't know.

 

[MDS]

Very few devices will upscale over component video. Not because it is technically impossible but rather because of copy protection fears. It is unlikely that the Philips DVD player will upscale and then output over component video but you'd have to consult the manual to be sure.

 

[jonnythan]

This is true, emperical data is always the best answer, but I would like to avoid buying both types of cable (HDMI & component) from BlueJeans. They get a bit expensive, & returning them requires effort!

Buy both from Monoprice. It'll be cheaper than one cable from Blue Jeans and the picture quality will be exactly the same

 

[Janik]

Very few devices will upscale over component video. Not because it is technically impossible but rather because of copy protection fears. It is unlikely that the Philips DVD player will upscale and then output over component video but you'd have to consult the manual to be sure.

Thanks MDS, I did not consider the copyright angle.
Because the 905 AVR provides superior upscaling capabilities, I want it to do ALL upscaling. It seems pretty clear now that I should choose component out instead of HDMI out of the DVD player.

I am not sure what complications arise if the DVD player does some half-a$$ed upscaling job, with the AVR then performing further upscaling. I want to avoid this complication totally.

 

[Antus]

nono connect both with HDMI, and set the DVD player to output whatever the signal is without any processing.

if you go for componant, the signal will go like this

First, Digital to analog (from DVD disk to conponant analog)
second, analog to digital (conponant analog convert to digital inside receiver)
third, digital back to analog (LCD take digital signal output to image/video)

it would be the worst scenario. (D->A->D->A)

so u will need to,
1. read your manual how to set up DVD player as transporter only.
2. check your display and make sure it will accept 1080P natively, otherwise, LCD itself will do some processing, too

 

[kenhoeve]

Definitely hdmi, and make sure the avr is upscaling to the panels native resolution.