Why am I not impressed with my upscaling Pioneer?

[tjlmbklr]

Just received Pioneer Elite VSX-82tsx. It is all connected and I have been playing with the up-scaling feature. Either I am doing something wrong or I wasted my money on something with this feature.

When I select from 480p/720p/or 1080i I don't notice any change. As a matter of fact, I'd venture to say that since I connected my new receiver I think my picture quality may have went down. I am running HDMI from my DirecTv HR20(High Def.) box to the receiver then scaling(or using true, doesn't seem to matter) and I am seeing no better quality like I exspected

Same thing goes with DVD's, I am using Componant and upconverting to HDMI.

So if anyone has any input to what I may be doing wrong or what there is about the sometimes still confusing world of HD that I don't understand.

 

[JonBaker99]

I've yet to see a receiver that amazed me with it's built-in scaling capabilities. I stand with the group that says your TV will probably have a better scaler built in than your receiver. If you want really good scaling, don't buy a receiver that does it....buy an actual scaler. I've had great results with the DVDO VP30.

 

[Warpdrv]

I've yet to see a receiver that amazed me with it's built-in scaling capabilities. I stand with the group that says your TV will probably have a better scaler built in than your receiver. If you want really good scaling, don't buy a receiver that does it....buy an actual scaler. I've had great results with the DVDO VP30.

+1 on receiver scalers... The concensus seems to be that way...

I bought a Pioneer Elite VSX-81, because It will upconvert... I would rather have My panny Plasma do my scaling. So I opted for the Upconversion rather then the Upscaling... although YMMV
People seem to be led by the Dealers that they work miracles.... And are dissapointed when they don't
Just using mine as a Temp, until they come out with more Pre/Pro's that will make me go WOW !!!

 

[mtrycrafts]

Just received Pioneer Elite VSX-82tsx. It is all connected and I have been playing with the up-scaling feature. Either I am doing something wrong or I wasted my money on something with this feature.

When I select from 480p/720p/or 1080i I don't notice any change. As a matter of fact, I'd venture to say that since I connected my new receiver I think my picture quality may have went down. I am running HDMI from my DirecTv HR20(High Def.) box to the receiver then scaling(or using true, doesn't seem to matter) and I am seeing no better quality like I exspected

Same thing goes with DVD's, I am using Componant and upconverting to HDMI.

So if anyone has any input to what I may be doing wrong or what there is about the sometimes still confusing world of HD that I don't understand.

What size is your screen? Perhaps it is not large enough to make a big difference? And remember, By up-scaling you cannot increase your resolution of what the base is, just make the pixels a bit smaller, not the info in them unique.

 

[speakerman39]

mtry, have learned the hard way regarding resolution. Very good point.

 

[angstadt530]

I think the upconverting feature works mainly with 480i content (composite and s-video). If you're inputing 480p/720p/1080i already, there isn't anything to upconvert, since you are already in that resolution. I think the main reason for the upconverting feature is so that you can input multiple components of all different connection types (composite, component, etc.) and have them all upconverted so that you only need to run one component/HDMI/DVI cable to your monitor.

 

[Tom Andry]

In our review, we found that using the upconvertion introduced artifacts. I've had other owners confirm this. It seems to mostly happen when converting to HDMI though we are still hoping to hear something from Pioneer about it. Apparently, not enough people have complained.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Apparently, not enough people have complained.

You mean if only a handful complain, it is not an issue with them, or other makers even if it is a valid complaint? Why would I not be surprised if this were the case?

 

[HiDefRicky]

I feel your pain

I have a Denon AVR 3208 (with inputs from DriecTV HDTivo receiver and Toshiba progressive scan DVD) which drove my panny 42 for more than 5 years. You could clearly tell Hi Def from 480p, but everything looked at least ok. I recently purchase a panny TH-58PX600U and the picture is badly pixilated on every input except HD. I'm going to change setting on all inputs to 480p and let the panny upconvert, but am trying to purchase a new AV Receiver with HDMI upconverting. Started 1 1/2 months ago by ordering a Pioneer VSX84TXVI A/V receiver first from an online retailer who, after two weeks admitted that they did not have product in stock and offered to cancel order and they hadn't charged my credit card. Honest vendor. I called another online retailer who "guaranteed" that he had 20 units in stock and could ship next business day. I ordered and even succumbed to upgrading shipping and bought extended warranty. Three weeks went by and, while they offered upgraded shipping and a 3m HDMI cable, no shipment. Got my credit card bill and found they had charged my card the day I ordered so cancelled order. Bad vendor.

So, here I am, almost two months since I first ordered a a Pioneer VSX84TXVI A/V receiver and have nothing. Should I continue my efforts or should I be looking at another receiver?

Still waiting and wanting.

 

[Hi Ho]

I don't know about the scaler in the Pioneer Elite but, assuming FedEx Ground gets my new projector to my tommorrow, I will be able to try out the scaler in my Yamaha 2700. I didn't buy the receiver for the scaler but if it works, I'll take it.