PC Playback vs. DVD Players

Discussion in 'Home Theater PC' started by forker, Jun 30, 2005.

  1. forker

    forker Member

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    Does anyone have experience and opinions on whether it is better to playback DVDs from computer input or from a DVD player? I have an HDTV that I could play DVD's on with DVI input from my PC or with component input from a progressive scan DVD player. I don't yet have a progressive scan DVD player, so I'm wondering if it's even worth the money.. Any suggestions?
     
    forker, Jun 30, 2005
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  2. JVC

    JVC Active member

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    I would say a dvd player is better, just like a cd player is better for playing cds, than a dvd player is.
    The dvd player is meant to play movies. The pc is meant to do a lot more stuff.
    Just my $.02.........
     
    JVC, Jun 30, 2005
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  3. bajtra

    bajtra Member

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    I agree, If you just want to play DVD's than a progressive scan DVD is a better route for the money. However if you want to add a tv tuner card, watch and record tv, browse the internet, play games, do lots and lots and lots and lots of tweaking, then a PC is the way to go.
     
    bajtra, Jun 30, 2005
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  4. sal_va182

    sal_va182 Guest

    i disagree... PC is the way to go, especially if u have a HD video card.. plus DVI is better then the component input. i know this from my home theatre. i have a samsung 61" rear projection LCD. with DVI, and component.DVI use the 1080i and the component uses 480and 720i. and seeing as a PC can do almonst anything, whats the ponint of a DVD player.. just use the pc...

    soz bout the spelling.. im in a rush...

    cheers
     
    sal_va182, Jul 1, 2005
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  5. peanuts2

    peanuts2 Regular member

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    personally I like the TV myself.But if I had a card that I could record HDTV tv shows to a computer then that would be cool.I hope they don't put a flag on hdtv signals from the fcc.That's just my 2 dollars.$2
     
    peanuts2, Jul 2, 2005
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  6. bajtra

    bajtra Member

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    bajtra, Jul 6, 2005
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  7. forker

    forker Member

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    Thanks for the info bajtra. I think I'll invest in the Nvidia geforce 6600 gt with dvi-out instead of a progressive scan dvd player. Why waste an additional $100 when you can play it at better quality from the computer? Makes sense.
     
    forker, Jul 7, 2005
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  8. bajtra

    bajtra Member

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    If you have a home theater system, you'll also want 5.1 or 6.1 sound. Make sure your onboard sound, or sound card can play the 5.1. Many sound cards say they do but don't play dvd's. I haven't been able to get my onboard nor my cheap philips usb soundcard to output true 5.1 to my receiver. It outputs to all the speakers but is only 5 channel stereo.
     
    bajtra, Jul 7, 2005
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  9. sal_va182

    sal_va182 Guest

    If u want high quality sound, go for the Creative Audigy 2 ZS. I got one and have connected it to my Yamaha home theatre receiver and speakers. it has a digital output and decoder for Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES. the sound card is also capable of 7.1 anologue. This card is amazing! cost me AUS$160. not too much at all for the decent quality of the card.
     
    sal_va182, Jul 7, 2005
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