Upconverting DVD Player from 480 to 720?

[Tubby]

Pardon my novice knowledge on this issue as I'm still learning but is there a DVD player that will upconvert from 480 to 720 via component cables? Looking at the Oppo players it looks like any upconverting is only done with HDMI connections. There is a note on Oppo's site that says, "(* Component output for CSS-encrypted DVD discs (almost all commercially pressed DVD discs) is limited to 480i/480p only.)" Is copy protection on DVDs limiting to only 480? A bit confused. What's the deal?

Thanks,

T

 

[riceaterslc]

IIRC the oppo's just dont support upconversion through component, just DVI/HDMI. also, the 971 doesn't utilize the feroudja technology through component, just DVI, and the new 981 doesnt even have component output. there is nothing about copywriting involved with the resolution, its just that the native format for standard def. dvd's (not HD/BR DVD) is 480...hope that helps.

 

[HiJon89]

Is copy protection on DVDs limiting to only 480? A bit confused. What's the deal?

The copy protection on DVDs does not limit it to 480, manufacturers purposely limit it to 480p output on DVDs because of pressure from DVD companies. Because component cannot be HDCP protected DVD companies don't want DVD players to be able to upconvert the signal to 720/1080, not sure why this would make them any easier to pirate.

Anyways, there are multiple DVD players that do still support upconversion over component, and these include most of the Samsung upconverting DVD players (DVD-HD950, DVD-HD850, DVD-HD841, etc.) They don't support this feature by default, but by inputting a simple sequence of numbers on the remote you can unlock the DVD player to region-free and to make it ouput all resolutions over component (480i, 480p, 768p, 720p, 1080i).

 

[billy p]

Most of the (within our budget) Mfg's do make dvd players that up convert. The problem now is the newer players will only via hdmi. Most of the Mfg's samsung, panasonic, lg and pioneers allowed the use component to upconvert but its becoming less and less available due to HDCP.
I would recommend you try to locate a new but older version of the above listed mfg's?

 

[Tubby]

Thanks for the explanation guys. Darn movie folks are mucking up the industry. They'll spend 3 bits to fight piracy that costs them 1 bit. Like it was said above, I don't see how upconverting leads to more piracy.

 

[flyv65]

Its not the upconverting that leads to piracy, its the upconverting over *component* cables that permits piracy. The HDMI cables aren't intended to provide an easy, one cable connection but to provide copy protection; in fact, in some cases of HDMI use require you to run parallel cables due to the HDMI handshake defaulting to the lowest common technological denominator in your system. For instance, if you're connected DVD player to receiver to TV all with HDMI, and your TV is two channel stereo, then HDMI defaults to 2 channel stereo for the receiver audio as well (at least thats what it said in the latest Perfect Vision).

Bryan...did you read the Blue Jeans cable page on HDMI?...

 

[Nick250]

What display are you using? Someone correct me if I am wrong, but my understanding is that most recent displays do the scaling (upconverting) for you at the displays native resolution regardless of what the DVD player sends to the display. So if your display is newer, it does not matter what the DVD player sends to it.

Nick

 

[billy p]

What display are you using? Someone correct me if I am wrong, but my understanding is that most recent displays do the scaling (upconverting) for you at the displays native resolution regardless of what the DVD player sends to the display. So if your display is newer, it does not matter what the DVD player sends to it.

Nick

Not that I'm an expert!! Most tv's don't really do a good job of upscaling therefore the source input(IMO) is more important. I think that if tubby is looking for a component player with upconversion then chances are his tv monitor is a tad older and therefore he's disadvantaged either way.

 

[jcPanny]

Oppo DV-970HD

The Oppo DV-970HD is their best option if you are utilizing a component connection. It does a good job a deinterlacing and upscaling to 720p or 1080i via component and HDMI. The software (DVD disc) can limit the upscaling, but this effects ALL DVD players, not just the oppo.

I got one for Christmas and it looks good via the HDMI connection, but I haven't tried to use the component output.

 

[HiJon89]

The Oppo DV-970HD is their best option if you are utilizing a component connection. It does a good job a deinterlacing and upscaling to 720p or 1080i via component and HDMI. The software (DVD disc) can limit the upscaling, but this effects ALL DVD players, not just the oppo.

I got one for Christmas and it looks good via the HDMI connection, but I haven't tried to use the component output.

I would not get the 970 from Oppo, it uses a different chip to deinterlace/scale than the original 971, and the picture quality on the 970 is not nearly as good.

My suggestion is to pick up a Samsung DVD-HD841 for $70, turn it on without a disc in the tray, press Angle, 4, 3, 2, 7, Angle on the remote, turn off the DVD player, and now enjoy 1080i over component

 

[bongobob]

Supposedly this guy will pass up to 1080p over component:

http://www.neodigits.com/new/body/products/h4000/h4000.asp

Anyone have any experiance with this player? - B

 

[jcPanny]

Oppo reviews

Check out the secrets of HT benchmark for detailed reviews of the Oppo and Samsung DVD players.

Oppo Digital 970 and 971:
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=all&type=&manufacturer=68&maxprice=0&deInt=0&mpeg=0

Most of the Samsung models don't score too well in their benchmark:
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=all&type=&manufacturer=27&maxprice=0&deInt=0&mpeg=0

FYI, the Oppo 970 contains the same excelent deinterlacing chip as the more expensive 971 and 981 models, but it does not use the expensive Faroudja chip for upscalling. However, it does include memory card slots and DVD-Audio and SACD playback which you won't find on many players in that price range.

 

[Taskmaster]

I have a old CRT HD tv that is 1080i and only has component inputs. Also have Yamaha RX V2500 that does not have HDMI. I was looking at the OPPO 970 but didn't realize I could not up convert to 1080i over component.

Is there a work around or another choice to get SACD and up conversion to 1080i over component?

 

[fredatty]

Upconverting Helios Player

BongoBob asked above about the Helios 4000 - its predecessor "NeoDigits Helios HVD2085 DVD Player" was reviewed by Audioholics so check out the review. I have it connected to my 42" Panny Plasma and am pleased, but I'm an "old" guy who probably can't see the detailed discrepancies described in the review. For the price I think it is worth the try to see if it works in a specific situation.