Need a little help on Blu-ray needs

[Lexus23]

Current system is a Yamaha AVR RX-V1900 a Denon DVD-1600 and a Mitsubishi DLP TV (1080i, 720P) WD-52725 52".

Understanding that the DLP is a weak link here (will upgrade to a 55" 240Hz Samsung LED sometime next year), I am looking at my first BluRay to purchase. Consensus here seems to be OPPO83, but maybe the new Denon 1610 may be all I need.

1) My current Denon DVD player can upscale itself to 480p thru Component hookup to the Yamaha AVR. The Yamaha can further upscale to 720p, 1080i, or 1080p via its HDMI connection to the DLP TV if selected. And the DLP TV itself automatically upscales TV and Video inputs. Actually standard DVD's upscaled to 480p and passed through to the TV look very good and I am seriously considering keeping the DVD 1600 for this purpose - thus eliminating what appears to be the most critical need of a new BluRay which is its ability to upscale standard DVD's.

2) If above is true and makes sense, the Yamaha AVR has the necessary HDMI inputs and outputs as well as audio converters for all past and current audios including the latest lossless BluRay audios - thus I assume I do not need a BluRay player for audio decoding nor do I need to worry about 7.2 analog out connections - correct?

3) I have a dedicated audio system in a separate room so I dont need to play CD's, MP's, etc on the BluRay either.

Based on the above, is all I really need is a BluRay player that can readily handle BluRay Disks while passing 7.2 audio to my AVR? If so it would seem that the OPPO83 may be overkill and the Denon 1610 may be all I need (it is my understanding that the 1610 does not upscale or have on board audio decoders - correct? I see this advertised for $225.)

While I am at it, can anyone advise on my standard DVD set up. As stated I currently watch standard DVD's with the Denon DVD player upscaling to 480p. This signal is connected via component cables to the Yamaha AVR which converts the signal to HDMI and outputs it to the TV via HDMI. (I am currently passing this straight through with no further video upscaling via the AVR). I am assuming that the TV is further enhancing the video via its automatic upscaling feature upon receipt (this cannot be turned on or off its just there).
When I upgraded to the Yamaha AVR about 5 mos ago, I tried out the AVR video upscaling at 720p and it did not seem to add much to the picture quality. Since I cannot adjust what the TV does to the video, would I get a better result if I let the video signal leave the DVD player at 480i then let the AVR upscale it to 720p or is the TV taking whatever I give it and doing all the work anyway?
Is 720p or 1080i the better resolution?

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

You asked an awful lot in that post


To keep the response simple, yes....if you want to watch movies in HD, you should now finally buy a BD player. Upscaled lowdef content cannot compare,(it's still just low def) plus you can now finally enjoy the new HD-audio formats as well!!

 

[PENG]

I find my Denon DVD-3910 produces the best qualify output via component video connections all the way from the player, to the AVR then to the TV, with no upconversion and upscaling. To find out which way works best, you need to try each and every combinations, as it depends much on the processing capabilities of your hardware.

If you stick to a 46 to 50" 1080p screen and watch from 10 ft away you may find that the best quality DVD movies look almost comparable to some poor quality BR ones, but in most cases you do need a BD player to enjoy HD material, even on a 46" LCD.

 

[Lexus23]

Thanks for the responses, but I know that I need to update to a BluRay. My questions are related to what kind/type/brand that I need based on the equipment that I have and its current capabilities.
Anyone?

thanks

 

[j_garcia]

At the time, the 1600 was an excellent progressive player (it does not upscale, it simply outputs at 480i or 480p), however its capabilities have LONG since been surpassed. A player that outputs a 1080i media at 1080i will still look MUCH better than most upscaled images in most cases. There are players that do a better job at upscaling, but they are not on the lower end of the cost spectrum.

Get a Panasonic BD-60 player for around $127 (Amazon) and be done with it.

 

[PENG]

Get a Panasonic BD-60 player for around $127 (Amazon) and be done with it.

Or a Sony BDP-S360 that can output even 480i, for about the same price.

 

[Pyrrho]

At the time, the 1600 was an excellent progressive player (it does not upscale, it simply outputs at 480i or 480p), however its capabilities have LONG since been surpassed. A player that outputs a 1080i media at 1080i will still look MUCH better than most upscaled images in most cases. There are players that do a better job at upscaling, but they are not on the lower end of the cost spectrum.

Get a Panasonic BD-60 player for around $127 (Amazon) and be done with it.

If all he is wanting is BD playback, the Panasonic is a great deal. I wrote about this previously:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=598063&postcount=3

The Panasonic is a solid performer, and I don't think it can be beat at its current price point.