Upconverting DVD Player Question

[ST8FAN]

Another "newbie" post. I have a Panasonic Plasma TV and recently purchased a Panasonic S52S DVD player because it claimed to upconvert the signal to "near HD quality."

So I used the setup menus of the new DVD player to use the HDMI output; connected the new player to the Plasma TV with the HDMI cable and began comparing its picture with that of my old progressive scan (480p) player connected with Component Video cables. I am really struggling to see a difference in picture quality between the two players.

I guess I expected more. Does a DVD player that claims to upconvert its signal to "near HD quality" really deliver a picture that is better than 480p?

 

[racquetman]

Another "newbie" post. I have a Panasonic Plasma TV and recently purchased a Panasonic S52S DVD player because it claimed to upconvert the signal to "near HD quality."

So I used the setup menus of the new DVD player to use the HDMI output; connected the new player to the Plasma TV with the HDMI cable and began comparing its picture with that of my old progressive scan (480p) player connected with Component Video cables. I am really struggling to see a difference in picture quality between the two players.

I guess I expected more. Does a DVD player that claims to upconvert its signal to "near HD quality" really deliver a picture that is better than 480p?

If you aren't seeing a difference then what does that tell you? If I tell you it delivers a better picture is the picture all of a sudden going to start looking better to you? I doubt it. So you answered your own question.

DVDs are 480i resolution. You can try to upconvert them all you want, but you aren't gaining any resolution. You aren't going to get "near HD quality". That is sales lingo to get you to buy. Watch a demo of Blu-ray or HD-DVD. That's HD quality!! When an upconverting DVD player can make my discs look like that, then I'll buy one.

 

[ST8FAN]

Thanks. I wasn't sure if I was setting the thing up wrong or expecting too much from it. Sounds like I was expecting too much from it.

 

[markw]

all these new fangled HDTV's have their own, built in upscalers.

They take whatever signal is fed into them and "upscale" it into it's native resolutionm,wether it be 480, 720. If the TV's native resolution is 1080, by the time whatever is fed to it, by the time it hits the display, it's been upcscaled to 1080.

Now, these upscalers can be of varying quality.

If you but an upconverting DVD player, and it's upscaler is of a better quality the one in the TV, then you might realize an improvement. I f not, well, then you won't much of see a difference, if any.

Don't feel too bad, though. I bought an upscaling DVD and was less than overwhelmed myself.

 

[jcPanny]

DVD player settings

ST8FAN,
My Oppo DVD player requires that you set the output resolution (480i, 480p, 720p, or 1080i), the default was 480p. Make sure you adjust this setting before trying your A/B test.

If you can't see a difference, return the new DVD player or get a better one like the Oppo Digital DV-981HD.

 

[ST8FAN]

Nevermind. Found it.

 

[edonsmith]

The new Samsung HD960 upconverts to 1080P and is very reasonable at under $200.

I bought one and so far am very happy with it. I am told they are now sold out everywhere so expect some delays

Don

 

[billnchristy]

My HD-DVD player upconverts and there is a difference between this and standard def.

You can still see pixels if you get close to the tv, but it looks way better than 480p off the sat or regular dvd sources.

 

[Nick250]

I am a bit confused. Does not the display convert whatever it receives to it's native resolution regardless, so what's the point of the DVD player up converting? I am certain I am missing some very obvious piece of the puzzle, but it's eluding me.

Nick

 

[billy p]

Another "newbie" post. I have a Panasonic Plasma TV and recently purchased a Panasonic S52S DVD player because it claimed to upconvert the signal to "near HD quality."

So I used the setup menus of the new DVD player to use the HDMI output; connected the new player to the Plasma TV with the HDMI cable and began comparing its picture with that of my old progressive scan (480p) player connected with Component Video cables. I am really struggling to see a difference in picture quality between the two players.

I guess I expected more. Does a DVD player that claims to upconvert its signal to "near HD quality" really deliver a picture that is better than 480p?

I guess the real question for most is how good is your upconversion scaler in your dvd player. I'm using a oppo dv 971 and have it set @ 720p and hd box set @720p as well. Most tv's do have scalers built in. I like the oppo's ability over that of my tv's and the tv is allowed to do what it's meant to do and that is display a picture.

 

[edonsmith]

There are also several different chip sets for the upconverting. I hear the Faroujya? or something like that is one of the best

Don

 

[kenhoeve]

I am a bit confused. Does not the display convert whatever it receives to it's native resolution regardless, so what's the point of the DVD player up converting? I am certain I am missing some very obvious piece of the puzzle, but it's eluding me.

Nick

No. The display can be set to a resolution or bypass depending on the unit. My unit(Samsung 1080p), accepts whatever signal is fed to it. The receiver and sending unit determine what resolution is fed to the monitor, this is most advantageous; 1080 signals are sent straight through and 480 signals are upconverted via the receiver and sent to the monitor. This makes for seamless transitions from non-hd feeds to hd feeds on the monitor.

 

[kenhoeve]

There are also several different chip sets for the upconverting. I hear the Faroujya? or something like that is one of the best

Don

After using the Faroudja 1080p upconverting in my Denon 1930ci dvd, I would say that 1080p upconversion is a complete waste of time. The 3930ci is a different story from the review here, but has a very advanced chipset. Personally, I won't waste my time with upconversion anymore, straight to HD if you have the monitor is the only answer.