Upconverting DVD players

[tontod]

I recently bought an LCD HDTV, and to take advantage of that, would like to watch DVD's in high-def. I know the upconverting DVD players claim 1080i/1080p and its done in software. How do the processed images look? I've seen 3 of them at circuit city for $150. Anyone gotten any of these?

 

[ajayjuneja]

honestly, I think letting your TV upconvert works just as well.

Get a high-end dvd player (Sony DVP-S9000ES is what I have, the new 9100ES does upconversion and supports HDMI) and all will be well!

 

[zoiks]

Better get an Oppo. I have one and love it.

 

[Captante]

I've had a Toshiba upconverting DVD player for about 1.5 years & it works very well with my Sony CRT HDTV, but at this point HD-DVD is much closer to being released so I'd say just buy a decent mid-range player like a Panasonic to hold you over.

 

[Muadib]

Don't believe the hype!!! I bought one, the Pannasonic S97. It was only slightly better than the CP72 that I had at the time. I had a few friends over to do a blind test, and no one could tell which was playing. It didn't matter what I had the S97 set to, no one could tell the difference. I kept it though, because it used HDMI, and I could free up a component input.

Thanks to my test, I had no problem finding some to take the CP72 off my hands.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: Muadib
Don't believe the hype!!! I bought one, the Pannasonic S97. It was only slightly better than the CP72 that I had at the time. I had a few friends over to do a blind test, and no one could tell which was playing. It didn't matter what I had the S97 set to, no one could tell the difference. I kept it though, because it used HDMI, and I could free up a component input.

Thanks to my test, I had no problem finding some to take the CP72 off my hands.

EDIT:Here's a good review of current players.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: Muadib
Don't believe the hype!!! I bought one, the Pannasonic S97. It was only slightly better than the CP72 that I had at the time. I had a few friends over to do a blind test, and no one could tell which was playing. It didn't matter what I had the S97 set to, no one could tell the difference. I kept it though, because it used HDMI, and I could free up a component input.

Thanks to my test, I had no problem finding some to take the CP72 off my hands.

EDIT:Here's a good review of current players.

That leaves the Oppo off the list http://www.oppodigital.com/

tontod, here's a fixed rig link http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.aspx?rigid=3627

The Oppo and Panasonic s77/s97 have issues with macroblocking enhancement when doing upconversion, but both are really solid players for 480p through digital and the Panasonics do well through analog as well.

Those seemed like the best bets for players in the $200-$300 range when I was looking. Check out the threads on AVSforum. How much they help depends on your specific TV as well. If you already have a nice scaler in your TV, it's probably not going to help much. Some people even thought the macroblocking was bad enough on their own sets that they switched back to 480p output and got better results.

 

[tontod]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: Muadib
Don't believe the hype!!! I bought one, the Pannasonic S97. It was only slightly better than the CP72 that I had at the time. I had a few friends over to do a blind test, and no one could tell which was playing. It didn't matter what I had the S97 set to, no one could tell the difference. I kept it though, because it used HDMI, and I could free up a component input.

Thanks to my test, I had no problem finding some to take the CP72 off my hands.

EDIT:Here's a good review of current players.

That leaves the Oppo off the list http://www.oppodigital.com/

tontod, here's a fixed rig link http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.aspx?rigid=3627

The Oppo and Panasonic s77/s97 have issues with macroblocking enhancement when doing upconversion, but both are really solid players for 480p through digital and the Panasonics do well through analog as well.

Those seemed like the best bets for players in the $200-$300 range when I was looking. Check out the threads on AVSforum. How much they help depends on your specific TV as well. If you already have a nice scaler in your TV, it's probably not going to help much. Some people even thought the macroblocking was bad enough on their own sets that they switched back to 480p output and got better results.

Thanks, I'll fix my rig link. I have this TV. No idea if it has a nice scaler. I wonder if these DVD players come with an HDMI cable, or if I'll have to buy one separately.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

You might be able to find someone with that set in one of the threads to see if they liked the results.

My Panasonic S77 came with an HDMI cable.

Looks like Oppo bundles a DVI-DVI and an DVI-HDMI cable with theirs

 

[Muadib]

Do you have macroblocking with your projector, jello?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Muadib
Do you have macroblocking with your projector, jello?

My projector is only ED, so I'm not even using upconversion. These players with the faroudja chips only enhance the macroblocking when you're using upconversion.

I just wanted a good quality player for 480p output for now.

 

[Muadib]

Oh that's right, you have the 4805. I need a scorecard for ATOT & their stuff.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Muadib
Oh that's right, you have the 4805. I need a scorecard for ATOT & their stuff.

I don't even try anymore.