Upconverting DVD players and home theater at DVinfo.net

Dylan Couper · January 1st, 2007, 09:46 PM

Are upconverting DVD players worth it over a regular DVD player? I was about to buy one from Best Buy until the salesman told me that I'd barely see any difference, if any (on a 55" HDTV).

Anyone else have an experience or opinion to share?

Also, is an HDMI cable going to make a noticable difference over component cables? Trying to decide whether its worth spending the $100 to upgrade.

Thanks!

Mike Brown · January 7th, 2007, 12:01 PM

Most HDTVs have their own built-in upconversion. If yours does, a DVD player with upconversion would be redundant, unless its upconversion is better quality than the one in the TV monitor.

Boyd Ostroff · January 7th, 2007, 12:23 PM

Personally I'm also skeptical that it makes a difference if you're already using component video. However, I've read some reviews in home theatre magazines which claimed the results were noticeably better. But these were reviews of specific higher end models, and not a general statement about upconverting players.

Dylan Couper · January 7th, 2007, 01:36 PM

Well guys, I went and spent the $130 on a Samsung (model 860 I think) DVD player from Best Buy so I could find out for you.

The answer is...

An upconverting DVD player can make a HUGE difference!

Or at least it did with my TV, which is a 2006 model Hitatchi. My old DVD player was about 3 years old. Either the the upconverting hardware in my TV was just crap, or my old DVD player was crap, but it made a very very noticable difference.

Oh, no difference (by my eye) between HDMI and component cables.

John C. Chu · January 7th, 2007, 08:38 PM

There is a huge discussion about upconverting DVD players over at www.avsforum.com

For myself, I've enjoyed the legendary DVB-318 from Zenith over two years now---which upconverts over component.

With reference quality DVD's like "Gladiator", "Blackhawk Down" and "Matrix Reloaded"---it gives me near HD quality picture.

I love mine. [I also watch my self made DVDs[with footage from a PDX-10] and it's nice.]

Just don't expect too much--and besides--a upconverting DVD player doesn't cost that much anyway.

January 1st, 2007, 09:46 PM	#1
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Upconverting DVD players and home theater Are upconverting DVD players worth it over a regular DVD player? I was about to buy one from Best Buy until the salesman told me that I'd barely see any difference, if any (on a 55" HDTV). Anyone else have an experience or opinion to share? Also, is an HDMI cable going to make a noticable difference over component cables? Trying to decide whether its worth spending the $100 to upgrade. Thanks! __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

January 7th, 2007, 01:36 PM	#4
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Well guys, I went and spent the $130 on a Samsung (model 860 I think) DVD player from Best Buy so I could find out for you. The answer is... An upconverting DVD player can make a HUGE difference! Or at least it did with my TV, which is a 2006 model Hitatchi. My old DVD player was about 3 years old. Either the the upconverting hardware in my TV was just crap, or my old DVD player was crap, but it made a very very noticable difference. Oh, no difference (by my eye) between HDMI and component cables. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

January 7th, 2007, 12:01 PM	#2
Mike Brown Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Nanuet NY Posts: 74	Most HDTVs have their own built-in upconversion. If yours does, a DVD player with upconversion would be redundant, unless its upconversion is better quality than the one in the TV monitor.

January 7th, 2007, 12:23 PM	#3
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,787	Personally I'm also skeptical that it makes a difference if you're already using component video. However, I've read some reviews in home theatre magazines which claimed the results were noticeably better. But these were reviews of specific higher end models, and not a general statement about upconverting players.

January 7th, 2007, 08:38 PM	#5
John C. Chu Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rego Park , NYC Posts: 665	There is a huge discussion about upconverting DVD players over at www.avsforum.com For myself, I've enjoyed the legendary DVB-318 from Zenith over two years now---which upconverts over component. With reference quality DVD's like "Gladiator", "Blackhawk Down" and "Matrix Reloaded"---it gives me near HD quality picture. I love mine. [I also watch my self made DVDs[with footage from a PDX-10] and it's nice.] Just don't expect too much--and besides--a upconverting DVD player doesn't cost that much anyway.