Ok so I don't know as much I would like to know about high definition so I have a quick question for all of you experts. Would it be smart just to buy an upconverter dvd-player versus buying an hd-dvd player? I mean I have an extensive library of dvds that will take years for major companies to release in hd-dvd or blu-ray, so does an upconverter do the job? Thanks, You all rock!
I think it depends on your current display and plans for upgrading your display. If you already have a decent HDTV with at least a 40-42 inch screen (or if you plan to upgrade your display soon) then the advantages in PQ of HD-DVD could be worth it. Also the upconverting ability of the Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD player has been touted by owners to be one of its best features. Many have raved about how it matches or even outperforms the more expensive Denons. If you don't have an HDTV or don't plan to upgrade in the near future then an upconverter should do fine. I don't have an extensive collection of DVD's and my purchases of HD-DVD's are usually new releases or movies I don't own on DVD. I also rent a lot of the HD-DVD's that I watch.
Thank you very much, I have just my little Samsung CRT HDTV at 28'', so I think I'll try out an up converter eventually, I have a progressive scan dvd player right now, so once i save up a little money thats probably what I go with
I am in the same boat, nice 50" TV and extensive DVD collection and at the moment I don't feel like shelling out $1K for the HD players... A few friends have the Oppo DVD upconveting DVD player and seem to really like it....
The only disadvantage of upconverters is that you still get the bars on letterbox movies. With HD-DVD it fills your whole screen which is what i prefer. I already have an up-converter and it does do a great job in improving the picture considerably. Just make sure to use HDMI cables and not component wires. You will get much better converting that way. I plan to use the upconverter on my already bought movies. I don't plan to buy all my old movies in hd-dvd due to the expense involved. As soon as i get an hd-dvd player, i will by hd-dvd movies from that point on. So this means i will have 2 dvd players, one upconverter and one HD-DVD.
Sounds like your upconversion player is set to output a 4:3 signal. Make sure your upconversion DVD player is set up correctly. Go to the options menu and set it to output a widescreen or 16x9 signal. If you have a progressive scan capable set make sure the de-interlacer is also on. Ced
Hi diabolos, Thanks for the tip. My dvd player/upconverter is set for 16:9. However i will need to look into where to set the deinterlacer on/off setting. I'm not sure if this is set up on the dvd converter or the tv itself. I will let you know what i come up with. Thanks again.
no problem, What I mean by de-interlacer is the progressive scan feature. It might say... 480p on/off, 480i or 480p (option), 16:9 480p, Progressive Scan on/off, which ever. If your DVD player is set up to output a 16:9 signal make sure your DVDs are ananmorphicly encoded and that your tv is set to fill screen mode. (note: DVDs shot wider than 1.85:1 will have slight black bars on the top and bottom) Ced
Yes my progressive scan option is only on/off and is set to on. However i dont think my tv is set to full mode. I think its on normal. I will check. How do i know if my dvds are ananmorphicly encoded?? Thanks a lot for all your help. If i can get full screen out of this, i will be a happy camper.
Well, all DVDs (from major studios) are encoded anamorphicly since about 2001. The DVD should be 1) Widescreen 2) Newer 3) shot at a aspect of 1.85:1 or slimmer and your DVD player should be hooked up with HDMI/DVI (does your TV support HDCP?) For more info about anamorphic DVDs... http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/anamorphic/page2.html Aspect ratios 101... http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/anamorphic/aspectratios/widescreenorama.html Ced
Oops, sorry..yes all my movies are widescreen as this is mt preferred format. My converter is hooked up through HDMI. I'll check to see if my tv supports HDCP as i don't really know offhand. I will be posting later today to tell you how i make out. I will play a movie and see what i get. Thanks again.
I am an expert on DVD up converters. Converters work best with sets that are Fixed Pixel displays... The best kind of set to use a DVD up converter is on a Plasma with a q 768x1024 resolution. A 768x1366 plasma is second best and third is a 768p LCD. This is because the the DVD resolution does not have a big climb... the horizontal resolution on the DVD is 720, to up convert to 1024 is not asking the player to do much... but trying to convert to 1920 that a 1080p set has is too much data for the converter to make up. To get a real up convert, use a SHOT IN HD DVD. Although most SHOT IN HD titles are adult DVD's. But there is also Anamorphic WIDESCREEN, Like the Break Up with Jennifer Aniston, these work great for the up conversion process. Don't expct non Anamorphic or regular DVDs to upconvert. You also need to put the DVD player in 720p and need a HDMI connection. HDMI is necessary for the up convert. Unfortunately, DVD up converters do not work with CRT tube based sets to well. If there is anything I can do to help please ask.
Hi HD-Nut, I was reading your post regarding up-conversion and saw the comment regarding CRT sets. I've got a Pana CT-34WX53 HD (up to 1080i) CRT set with a DVI input and have been considering either an HD-DVD or upconversion player however after reading your comment that upconverting players do not work well with CRT TVs Im having some reservations. Will I not see any noticable improvement in picture quality with this TV? Thanks
But is this blue ray / HD DVD war likely to leave us stranded with unusable DVDs and players depending on what happens? I see the ad wars already. What will become of this?
With a CRT I would get the new HD DVD player for 3 change... they have an RCA version now at circuit city at low cost. It's only 200 more and will upconvert your DVD's. http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/RCA-...49876/catOid/-16221/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do But this way you will be able to see real HD. Make sure you have component connections or DVI for the 1080i connection. But I would not spend money on an up converter with a CRT... My opinion.
Link is not working... go to http://www.circuitcity.com under DVD players click blue ray dvd you will see the RCA HDV5000 This will upconvert your regular disks and play real HD DVD Now on sale!
Thanks HD. I will take your advise. I was leaning towards Blu-ray but after reading many of the comments here I'd have to say HD-DVD has the early momentum...cost and quality of picture are good motivators.
Don't be too sure on that.. I hear the porn industry is going blu ray, big indsustry that could topple the war. http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=298
@HD_nut: Your news item is from January. This is hot off the press (10/30) http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Adult/Vivid_to_Bring_First_Adult_Title_to_Blu-ray,_HD_DVD/329
If they go with Blu Ray that could shut the door on HD DVD. I get the feeling the porn industry may decide this.. On that note... I find it bizzare that the shot in HD adult titles make a complete upconversion to 720p. I'm using a panny 1024x768. I read somewhere that there is a copyright protection on regular movies that feature interferes with the Faroudja chip ... the cip that does the upconverting. Perhaps adult DVD do not have this copyright chip in it.