U2410 and blocky DVD playback

[condition one]

I just replaced my dual 22" CRTs with dual Dell U2410s. It's a very nice change! However, when I play DVDs on WinDVD (latest version), the images are a little blocky. It's still tolerable, but nowhere as crisp as it used to be on my 1600x1200 CRT.

I'm using a DisplayPort to miniDisplayPort adapter on a Radeon 6970 card if that helps troubleshoot. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Throckmorton]

DVDs are much lower res than your screen

 

[mnewsham]

Yes DVD's are not in 1920x1200 (your native res) and are just upscaled accordingly.

 

[condition one]

I figured as much, but didn't think it would make that big of a difference. Since my U2410 has a HDMI input, would I be better off buying a standalone Blu-ray player that can upconvert my normal DVDs?

I have a lot of DVDs on hand thanks to Netflix, as I travel a lot. My laptop doesn't have Blu-ray so I'd rather jump to the new format if I don't have to.

 

[mnewsham]

I figured as much, but didn't think it would make that big of a difference. Since my U2410 has a HDMI input, would I be better off buying a standalone Blu-ray player that can upconvert my normal DVDs?

I have a lot of DVDs on hand thanks to Netflix, as I travel a lot. My laptop doesn't have Blu-ray so I'd rather jump to the new format if I don't have to.

I just download everything in 1080 at this point. And Netflix will stream HD if your connection is fast enough.

 

[imaheadcase]

Use monitors built in scaling..i play DVD fine and don't get blocks on the u2410.

Might be a driver issue to..does it happen on different software?

 

[Idontcare]

Use monitors built in scaling..i play DVD fine and don't get blocks on the u2410.

Might be a driver issue to..does it happen on different software?

^ this

to OP: recommend you find a friend's with a computer and plug in one of your 2410's on their rig and play a DVD on it, and vice-versa take their LCD and hook it up to your rig. Something isn't right, most likely drivers or app settings somewhere in the loop.

(I have dual 2407's and DVD playback is beautiful)

 

[randomlinh]

I think we need an actual picture... I've found what I consider "blocky" other folks consider perfectly fine.

going from a CRT's scaling to an LCD is a big difference IMO.

 

[toyota]

I just download everything in 1080 at this point. And Netflix will stream HD if your connection is fast enough.

netflix can stream HD movies to the pc? I sure never saw that option while I was a member and I have 25 meg connection. in fact that was one of the reasons I cancelled my membership. that and the fact that hardly movies there can even be watched instantly.

 

[mnewsham]

netflix can stream HD movies to the pc? I sure never saw that option while I was a member and I have 25 meg connection. in fact that was one of the reasons I cancelled my membership. that and the fact that hardly movies there can even be watched instantly.

Yea I have a 25mb/s with verizon and I get HD streaming (where available) you have to full screen the movie/show but it works for me.

 

[alaricljs]

netflix can stream HD movies to the pc?

It's not terribly obvious. If you go into the film details there's a left hand info column about the film and the formats available. It will list under streaming that it is available in HD. That's usually a few screens worth down the page. Then while you are watching the film there is an HD button at the right end of the timeline bar to actually turn on the HD (it's not automatic at all). There's also no explanation of what HD means for Netflix in general nor on a per movie basis. Maybe it's 720 maybe it's 1080, I can't tell by looking.

 

[toyota]

maybe I am blind because the most info I see is on any movie is "DVD, Blu-ray and streaming".

 

[alaricljs]

By 'film details' I mean the full on pageful with the reviews and all, not just hovering. The left hand column has Movie details (rating, awards) then DVD details, then Blu Ray, then Streaming.


edit: Oh hey, look at that. Seems it's also in the Reader's Digest version top and center on the same page. It's the last item above the reviews.

I happen to be looking at 'The Last Emperor' who knows if they managed to muck up standardized info format.

 

[toyota]

By 'film details' I mean the full on pageful with the reviews and all, not just hovering. The left hand column has Movie details (rating, awards) then DVD details, then Blu Ray, then Streaming.


edit: Oh hey, look at that. Seems it's also in the Reader's Digest version top and center on the same page. It's the last item above the reviews.

I happen to be looking at 'The Last Emperor' who knows if they managed to muck up standardized info format.

I am not a member now so I cant see that info

 

[JRW]

going from a CRT's scaling to an LCD is a big difference IMO.

Pretty much this.. Its amazing to me how much better standard XviD & DVD resolutions looked on my FW900 CRT vs. *.* LCD's ive owned, including my current PX2370 LED.

 

[toyota]

Pretty much this.. Its amazing to me how much better standard XviD & DVD resolutions looked on my FW900 CRT vs. *.* LCD's ive owned, including my current PX2370 LED.

yeah regular dvd looks like garbage at full screen on 1920x1080 lcd compared to watching it on any crt.

 

[mnewsham]

It's not terribly obvious. If you go into the film details there's a left hand info column about the film and the formats available. It will list under streaming that it is available in HD. That's usually a few screens worth down the page. Then while you are watching the film there is an HD button at the right end of the timeline bar to actually turn on the HD (it's not automatic at all). There's also no explanation of what HD means for Netflix in general nor on a per movie basis. Maybe it's 720 maybe it's 1080, I can't tell by looking.

If i full screen it will automatically be HD for me because it detecs my connection speed, If i am at starbucks and connect via their WiFi however it wont do HD streaming, i can force it but it will pause and wait for it to load every so often.

 

[Cerb]

WinDVD, or the OS, should decode. IMO, get MPC-HC, and start playing with the output options and filters (the pixel shader resizing, FI, could be enough). You will not get it looking as good as a nice CRT, but you should be able to tweak it to be better.