Upscaling DVD player vs. progressive scan player

[TerryMathews]

I've been on the fence WRT getting a new high-def player either HD-DVD or Blu Ray. Both of my HDTVs are 720p, so I'm really considering just getting an upconverting DVD changer instead of a true high def model.

To throw a wrench into the equation though, I've already got progressive-scan DVD changers on both TVs. They output 480p, and are connected via component.

Question: Would I notice a difference between a nice upconverting model like the Sony DVP-NC85H?

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: TerryMathews
I've been on the fence WRT getting a new high-def player either HD-DVD or Blu Ray. Both of my HDTVs are 720p, so I'm really considering just getting an upconverting DVD changer instead of a true high def model.

To throw a wrench into the equation though, I've already got progressive-scan DVD changers on both TVs. They output 480p, and are connected via component.

Question: Would I notice a difference between a nice upconverting model like the Sony DVP-NC85H?

yes.

disclaimer: i have no experience with that sony model, but common sense tells me since upscaling players are progressive, factored in with good upscaling hardware, it will look better than a regular progressive dvd player.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Getting an upconverting player is basically just changing where the upconvertion takes place. On your current setup, you have your 480p output from your DVD player that's sent to the TV. The TV then converts it to its native resolution and displays that. Getting an upconverting player, you're having the player do that conversion and your TV just displays that output. Depending on the actual resolution of your display, that might actually mean converting it again is the actual resolution is 1366x768 etc.

So, there are several factors here that can come into play whether or not an upconverting player is going to make a significant difference to you. On my own display, it didn't make much of a difference while other people say it's night and day. It's going to depend on the resolution of your display and on whether or not it's already doing a good job of converting the 480p source to its native resolution.

If you do want to get an upconverting player, I would recommend getting an HD-DVD player anyway. The 720p upconverting HD-DVD players can be had for about the same price you're already looking at spending with the added benefit that they're going to come with free HD-DVDs. They're not going to be 5 disc changers, but they are supposed to be very good at upconverting regular DVDs.