Upconverting to Sony LCD RPTV

[ronrags]

I previously purchased the OPPO Upconverting DVD player based on many opinions on different forums. I compared the OPPO HDMI output vs the Denon 2200 component connection and found the picture quality better on the Denon. I read various forums and spoke to a salesman at a local audio shop concerning Sony's 55" LCD RPTV native resolution of 768 compared to most other TV's 720 native resolution. I'm under the impression the Sony needs to perform an additional conversion which affects the picture quality. If this is true, will I need a Sony DVD player in order to use the HDMI upconversion benefits. Thanks, Ron

 

[MDS]

No, you will not need a special dvd player (Sony or otherwise) because the tv's native resolution doesn't match the resolution from the dvd player. Fixed pixel displays always scale the image to their native resolution. If you were to have your dvd player upscale from 480i to 720p, the tv will scale the 720p to 768p, but IMO the Sony's do a very good job with it. It would be better to forget about the upconversion in the dvd player and just let the tv go straight from 480i to 768p.

If you really want 720p native resolution, look at the 50" A10.

 

[ronrags]

No, you will not need a special dvd player (Sony or otherwise) because the tv's native resolution doesn't match the resolution from the dvd player. Fixed pixel displays always scale the image to their native resolution. If you were to have your dvd player upscale from 480i to 720p, the tv will scale the 720p to 768p, but IMO the Sony's do a very good job with it. It would be better to forget about the upconversion in the dvd player and just let the tv go straight from 480i to 768p.

If you really want 720p native resolution, look at the 50" A10.

MDS,

Thanks for your reply. You're right the Sony does a good job, but I was just curious if the picture could be better. You mentioned going straight from 480i to 768p, but why not 480p to 768p or does it make a difference?

Concerning the 50" A10 or the new SXRD models, will an upcoverting DVD player make a difference on these models?

Ron

 

[MDS]

The the mpeg-2 format of a dvd is interlaced and therefore 480i. If you have the player in interlaced mode and send the signal to the tv, the tv will first deinterlace it (convert to 480p) and then scale it to 768p. If the player is in progressive mode, the player will do the deinterlacing and send 480p, which will be scaled by the tv to 768p. It's the same old argument as with DACS - which does a better job, the player or the tv? My money is on the tv.

Same deal with 'upconverting' dvd players. If the player is in interlaced mode and you upconvert to 720p, it will deinterlace to 480p, then scale to 720p and then the tv will further scale it to 768p. If the tv in question were the A10, then its native resolution is already 720p, so it won't touch the signal it gets.

You'll have to try it and see if you can detect any difference, but as far as I'm concerned upconverting dvd players are a gimmick with no value. The simple act of converting 480p to 720p (every 2 lines becomes 3) will not turn a low resolution image into high-def despite what the marketers may claim.

 

[ronrags]

MDS,

Thanks for the info. I went to Circuit City in NJ and had the sales person hook up a DVD player with both component and HDMI cables and didn't notice any difference on a Sony LCD. It seems there is much hype about nothing. Like I said earlier, the Denon 2200 out performed the Oppo player using component cables vs HDMI on my Sony. I'll save my money and hope the HD-dvd format will be as good as it is hyped. Thanks again, Ron.

 

[~JC~]

If what you are saying is correct, why would anyone need a progressive DVD player? By your logic, the 480i image sent to the display would be just as good as the 480p. I certainly can tell the difference betweeen 480i and 480p when sent to my panny TX42.

 

[MDS]

If what you are saying is correct, why would anyone need a progressive DVD player? By your logic, the 480i image sent to the display would be just as good as the 480p. I certainly can tell the difference betweeen 480i and 480p when sent to my panny TX42.

Read the explanation again. Deinterlacing and scaling has to happen somewhere - either in the player or in the tv. Regardless of where it is done, it will be progressive when it is displayed. Maybe in your case, the dvd player does a better job of deinterlacing, maybe your tv does a poor job scaling. Use whatever makes you happy.

 

[~JC~]

Better now, thanks

OK, clearer now.
So this relates to why there is often no clear-cut answer as to the best way to hook up any given 2 pieces. There is going to be a trial and error process. I have been getting this impression during my short time here. For this reason, I plan to run both HDMI and component to my projector, to allow for comparison. Thanks

 

[xboxweasel]

When I connected a progressive scan DVD player to my KF43WE610 I noticed no improvement in picture quality (colour, clarity, etc). Sony is doing a very good job in the set. I am not about to go out and buy an expensive upscaler to test just how good the set actually is. I'm happy with what I have.

I was never one to believe the sales reps that a $130 DVD with upscaling would be all that good anyways. And on top of that, only via the HDMI connector and not the component output. That means a $80 HDMI cable on top of that. Hmm, $130 DVD player, $80 cable. That makes no sense to me at all.

I can see spending about 10% of the cost of the equipment on cables.

I am wondering if the 480p output will make any improvements on my HD CRT Toshiba!!?!?! Because the image on that set can be displayed either interlaced or progressive.

 

[westcott]

I am confused. I thought the Oppo was only available in DVI.

Have they released a new player I am unaware of?

There can be video quality differences favoring HDMI in some dvd players.