AE900U: internal vs. external upscaling to 720p

[tpaikeda]

I am trying to decide between the following 2 options for handling 480i feeds into my Panasonic AE900U:

1.) use the de-interlacing and upscaling capability that is internal to the AE900U

2.) I am purchasing a a new 7.1 receiver, and have the option to go after one which does 480i conversion to 720p, internal to the AV receiver

Which of these 2 options would yield a better picture from the AE900U. Would it make a difference? The video feed is originating as S-VIDEO from a satellite receiver, then fed either S-VIDEO/480i as in 1.) or HDMI/720p as in 2.)

The receiver I am considering is a Yamaha RX-V2600

I don't have HDTV, and am trying to avoid purchasing an external scaler.

You guidance appreciated,
Tony

 

[BMXTRIX]

I would not ever recommend an external scaler with a projector of the class of the AE900. Panasonic tends to have very good processing built into their gear, and the AE900 is no different. Good scaling.

But, the 2600, if I remember correctly, uses Faroudja deinterlacing, which is also highly respected for quality.

Which is better? I can't say for sure, but the obvious advantage of the scaler being built into the receiver is that you then only need to use the single HDMI output from the receiver to the projector and you can leave your projector on JUST the HDMI input to achieve the best quality image. Plus, the 2600 is simply a great receiver on its own.

In reality though - neither will do standard satellite a lot of good. Standard satellite is good, but it isn't even close to DVD, and is that much further behind HDTV in quality. Upconverting 480i SDTV leaves you with 480i SDTV... that has been converted. It doesn't ever make it anything close to what HD looks like, or even what DVD typically looks like.

My opinion? (since you didn't ask) Get a cheaper A/V receiver and get a BETTER satellite receiver with HD capabilities! This will cost about the same, but will deliver to you the absolute best image you can shoot for. With the AE900, I would call it the ideal way to do things.

 

[tpaikeda]

Thanks BMXTRIX. Without a startling improvement in image quality between the 2 options, I'm inclined to follow your advice and set my sights on a more economical receiver and leave the 480i>720p conversion to the AE900U. Do you have any favorites re: 7.1 AV Receiver that has HDMI switching?

 

[NGL_BrSH]

haha.. i can't believe someone is worrying about how to most appropriately "upscale" something. Uhm.. don't worry about upscaling, it's a load of malarky. Why do you think they're releasing real HD dvds? You're only as good as your source.

Take a digital camera for example.. Take a picture in like 640 res.. then take a pic in 1.3.. then with convert the 640 image to 1.3 in some photo editing program.. print them both and get back to me which one looks better.

the answer will be the one that was originally shot at 1.3. Since the 640 won't have the same amount of information.

Upscaling was so that Sony could push HDMI into our world with copywrite protection and make us crazy for another new feature. I do like HDMI however having one plug cleaning up wire mess and I perceive a slight gain in picture quality difference by keeping it all digital.

 

[majorloser]

haha.. i can't believe someone is worrying about how to most appropriately "upscale" something. Uhm.. don't worry about upscaling, it's a load of malarky. Why do you think they're releasing real HD dvds? You're only as good as your source.

Unfortunately, not all signals are 720P, the native resolution of his Panny. Some form of upconversion must happen somewhere.

tpaikeda: I recently upgraded my older Dish 6000 receiver with D-sub 15 (RGB) output to a new Dish ViP 211 receiver with HDMI output. Both output 720P and both have internal "over-the-air" HD receivers. WHAT A DIFFERENCE. The new receiver has a much better picture with my Optoma H78-DC3. Also, you can either let the projector upconvert your DVD's signal or buy an inexpensive upconverting DVD player like the OPPO. If you decide to let the projector handle the upconversion you should run component video cables to handle a 480P signal. S-video cable have a significant loss problem with lengths over approx 12 feet. You can buy a signal amp (like me) for the S-video signal, but they cost as much as the OPPO player.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Thanks BMXTRIX. Without a startling improvement in image quality between the 2 options, I'm inclined to follow your advice and set my sights on a more economical receiver and leave the 480i>720p conversion to the AE900U. Do you have any favorites re: 7.1 AV Receiver that has HDMI switching?

Yes, I recommend you avoid receivers with HDMI switching. Get an external 5x1 HDMI switcher from www.monoprice.com for $130.00 and then get the receiver that is the best match for your speakers and your setup. Even 'good' $1,000ish receivers tend to be 2x1 HDMI which will last you how long... PS3, HD-DirecTV, HD-DVD... oh, we're already overflowing.

Blech! Until receivers have at LEAST 3 HDMI inputs, I won't recommend them or really look at them. The HDMI capability really offers you nothing.