Is a DVD player really better than a came console?

[JOD]

Now I am using my 360 to play movies. Would i really notice a difference in picture or audio quality that would warrant the purchase of a DVD player.

 

[jonnythan]

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/xbox-360s-dvd-playback-stunningly-bad-233490.php

Any more questions?

Actually I don't think this is an honest comparison. The Xbox 360 to me looks like it's set to 480i on a 720p or 1080p display (look at the interlacing on the last image). From what I understand, upconverted DVD playback on the 360 is OK, but you'll also get superior results by using something like an Oppo.

I'd say don't bother unless you find the 360 lacking somehow.

 

[JOD]

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/xbox-360s-dvd-playback-stunningly-bad-233490.php

Any more questions?

Actually I don't think this is an honest comparison. The Xbox 360 to me looks like it's set to 480i on a 720p or 1080p display (look at the interlacing on the last image). From what I understand, upconverted DVD playback on the 360 is OK, but you'll also get superior results by using something like an Oppo.

I'd say don't bother unless you find the 360 lacking somehow.

Hmmm, its a little confusing, they say that it can be fixed with software downloads? I just want to know if i will get better picture and/or audio quality if i spend a few hundred on a dvd player

 

[jonnythan]

What kind of display do you have?

 

[JOD]

What kind of display do you have?

Standard black samsung 32" LCD. Im pretty sure it cant do 1080p.

 

[jonnythan]

Do you use component, VGA, or HDMI?

 

[JOD]

Do you use component, VGA, or HDMI?

Component..........

 

[jonnythan]

From what I'm reading, it would be worth it to pick up a standalone player like an Oppo 971/981.

 

[JOD]

From what I'm reading, it would be worth it to pick up a standalone player like an Oppo 971/981.

Thanks for your help could you provide me with some links on this topic

 

[jonnythan]

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=21

http://oppodigital.com

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

If you own a HDTV, why would you settle for an inferior low-def movie source?

 

[jonnythan]

If you own a HDTV, why would you settle for an inferior low-def movie source?

Because "the best" is generally thousands of dollars?

He just wanted to know what the ROI would be for buying a standalone player. If it's "can hardly tell the difference" he'd probably keep his money.

Not all of us can afford "the best." We all settle for "inferior" products because they're cheaper. It's all a tradeoff.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

suit yourself

 

[JOD]

So in the end you guys agreee that spending 300 or so dollars on a DVD player would give me a noticeable improvement in quality? Remember i cant run 1080p, im going to run 720p, but i hear the 360 doesnt deliver the best 720p picture possible.

 

[jonnythan]

Not even $300.

Just get the Oppo DV-981HD for $230.

Hell, you can get the Toshiba HD-A2 or A30 for under $200 right now on Amazon. I'm not sure how they compare with the Oppo, but I hear they're good with DVDs.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

Spending $200 for an inferior low def source would be silly as the the market is today.

 

[jonnythan]

Spending $200 for an inferior low def source would be silly as the the market is today.

You're being very specific and helpful in this thread. That's very appreciated.

 

[allargon]

Not even $300.

Just get the Oppo DV-981HD for $230.

Hell, you can get the Toshiba HD-A2 or A30 for under $200 right now on Amazon. I'm not sure how they compare with the Oppo, but I hear they're good with DVDs.

The A20/A30 are comparable (some say better) than the Oppo with scaling SD DVD's. (Both have some interesting deinterlacing issues though.) The Oppo plays SACD/DVD-A. The Oppo does have 5.1 analog out as opposed to the Toslink/HDMI only on the A2/A20/A30. Honestly, do you really want to use your player's DACs opposed to your receiver's?

My A20 delivers great upscaling to my 1080p set, and my A2 (pre-Black Friday sale) delivers decent upscaling to my 768p set. IMHO, upscaled SD DVD's look better than the overcompressed, bit rate starved downrezzed mess shown as HD-lite on satellite and cable.

Most would agree that the Toshiba HD DVD players provide a superior picture to the Xbox 360. Things get a little more interesting on the Blu-Ray side with respect to the Playstation 3 and the Panasonic DMP-BD30. Many say the Panny is better.

 

[Thaedium]

I think we've gotten ahead of ourselves here.

Does the OP have a reciever? And if so, which one?

If it can upscale, then there is no need to purchase a standalone DVD player when the xbox 360 can pass on the signal to the receiver just fine and let it upscale the image.

My suggestion would be this if he doesn't have a reciever that can:

+ Don't buy a seperate DVD player for a couple of reasons,

1st - You would be buying into a technology that is being phased out and is not compatible with new HD formats.
2nd - You can already play DVD's via Xbox 360.

+ Take that $200 you just saved from not investing in a DVD player and put it towards a Receiver. The reasons are simple. A good reciever will handle upscaling, provide HDMI switching etc.

 

[gus6464]

Either that or get a PS3. Upconversion that's just as good as the Oppo, BD player, and game console.