Upconverting DVD Player Question (I Think I Already Know your Answer!)

[kbachelder]

Hi everyone,

A couple of weeks ago I got a Panasonic CT-30WX54 TV along with a Sony DV-PNS575P DVD Player at Circuit City. I can say that so far I love both. However, I have been reading many of the threads here about "upconverting" DVD players. I see that Best Buy has the Toshiba SD-5970 with HD Upconversion on sale for $149 this week. My ComCast HD box is connected via component cables so my HDMI port is unused. Since I could still return the Sony DVD player I was considering trying the Toshiba to see if the picture is $80 better (I paid $70 for the Sony and could still return it). I figured this was worth trying since I can easily return the Toshiba if it is not that much better.

I thought I would throw this idea out to the group in case I was missing anything or you all had any other thoughts.

Thanks for your time and feedback.

Take care,

Kevin

[Ratman]

Best test/opinion is to give it a try.
It can always be returned.

[kbachelder]

I picked up the Tohiba "upconverting" DVD player last night and tried it out.

Didn't see any noticeable improvment in PQ. Looks the same as my existing Sony player so I'll bring it back. Guess I'll just have to wait for true HD DVD!

Take care,

Kevin

[DVdude]

It can be hard for the un-trained eye to tell any difference, especially if you can't run the players side-by-side hooked to an identical TV for comparison. You really have to know what details to look for. For an example, see the good and bad chroma comparison examples at the end of this article:
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_7_4/dvd-benchmark-part-5-progressive-10-2000.html

[Ratman]

IMO... if the improvement doesn't 'slap you in the face', then why spend the additional $$?

And the 'chroma bug' (CUE) doesn't really shouldn't be equated to an upscaling player. It is actually an artifact with the MPEG2 decoding that can be evident in a 'regular' progressive scan DVD player.

[kbachelder]

The Sony DVD player is connected via component cables and since the Toshiba came with an HDMI cable I was able to have both DVD players connected to my TV at the same time. I used a couple of DVDs that I watch frequently (Fellowship of the Ring / Matrix Reloaded). I played a few minutes of a specific scene on the Sony then moved the DVD to the Toshiba and watched it again right afterwoods. As Ratman said since the difference didn't "slap me in the face" there was no real point in spending more for the Toshiba. I guess it is just a good way of showing me that the Sony DVD player was a good choice since DVDs look so good!!

Thanks to all,

Kevin

[Matt27]

I agree too man,I would just wait for the new HD DVD players when they come out, that way you will " Really" see the picture difference.:)

Sony's have good chips in their dvd players,i forget what they call it, but i love my Sony dvd/vhs combo player the 550p model:)

[newby]

dude if your useing component for hdtv cable use hdmi conveter to dvi you willl easyly see the dierfence it takes most of the grainess out of the picture because its digtal i now you all now that.

[JetFlyGuy]

Newby,
Actually after some research I have learned that the low end "upconverting" models (specifically the toshiba and samsung units) do not truly provide and all digital signal path. The HDMI or DVI outputs on these models actually reconvert an analog signal back into a digial signal internally. I have tried both of these units, and found them to have inferior picture quality as compared a high quality progressive scan unit. Remember that the final PQ will never be better than the image processing capabilites of the unit, regardless of the type of connection that it used.

[sj2000]

What sony dvd player is a good one you guys talking about? thanks

[newby]

good point man i cant belive that they actualy convert back to analog thats crazy im not picking up that samsung now. Thanks for the info that should be on the box lol.