Upscaling Satellite

[~JC~]

I was wondering if there would be an advantage to running the satellite (DISH) through an upscaler such an iScan, before sending the signal to an HD projector? Most programs are not in HD. Would this turn all channels into HD? Also, what is SD for Dish network?

 

[BMXTRIX]

There is no way to turn anything that isn't HD into HD. The conversion from SDTV to a higher resolution for display on your display may help the overall quality, but it depends a great deal on the quality of your current display, and the quality of the scaler that you purchase.

A DVDO product is a very good way to see some improvement, but this improvement may be minimal or not even noticably depending on what display you currently own (you didn't say).

As far as I know, all Dish Network HD boxes include scalers inside them that will happily convert SDTV to a higher resolution like 720p or 1080i and you can choose which format you want to use.

"What is SD for Dish network?"

What do you mean?

SDTV is 480i in the USA. It's the same for all standard television. NTSC spec. is SDTV.

 

[~JC~]

Thanks BMX. I've been thinking about this since I posted. I figured that you can't "turn SD into HD" The Dish SD question just illustrates my ignornace. I didn't realize that all SD was 480i. My system (all video sources) will run through a Marantz VP 12s4. I've been wrestling with whether or not I even need a DVDO. I'm thinking no, as I plan on only having the satellite and a dvd player run to the projector, and it has 2 HDMI inputs.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Ouch - Expensive projector. You've compared the competion right?

I really like the Marantz and Sharp high end projectors, but don't think they offer nearly the value for the money that they should.

Either way, that projector will scale, automatically, all incoming video to the native output of the projector of 1280x720. So, no matter what you feed the projector, you will be seeing 720p up on your wall.

Now, how good it goes from 1080i, 480i, or 480p to 720p depends a great deal on the processing of the projector. It may do an excellent job and look great to you. But, 480i is 480i and really won't ever look 'phenomenal'. Garbage-in, garbage out. But, it may have enough processing horsepower to do an adequate job.

The DVD player, of course, will convert 480i/p to 720p or 1080i depending on the player you get. You want to make sure you don't just 'buy' a DVD player as they aren't all the same and you definitely do NOT always get a lot more performance by spending more on the player. The Panny S77 is a excellent mid-line DVD player with good processing.

In the end, remember that this year we will see HD disc players finally hit the market and you may have access to movies in HD which will best the DVD content that you currently will be showing.

I personally would go with a lesser expensive projector and use the extra cash to upgrade my system in many other areas. Just a worthless opinion thrown in though.

 

[~JC~]

Yes, I must confess, the Marantz is a bit of a guity pleasure. I was able to see it in Seattle on a Firehawk screen and it was jaw-dropping. The 35K Runco was not as good(IMO). I was unable to see a Yam 1300, so that might have been a better choice, but I was unwilling to spend that much without seeing it first. The LCDs weren't even close (IMO)

For now I'm going with an OPPO. Can't pass up the price based on what I've read. Even if I don't ultimately like it, I can use it up in the bedroom, where the video requirements are less stingent

Thanks much for your input.

 

[jcPanny]

Before you buy the projector . . .

You should demo a Panasonic AE900U or Sanyo Z4 projector. I think you might find their performance comparable to the Marantz and you can use the money you saved on a high end audio system and electronics to compliment your projector.

For any front projection system, light control in your room is necessary for optimal performance.

Also check projectorcentral.com for reviews on all models including the above.