Good player for HD set?
 

I'm sure this has been asked before, so if someone wants to direct me to a thread, that's great.

I recently got a Sony 34" XBR CRT, and I love it. I'd like to get a new DVD player that can do HD upconversion like this one:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1118839101053

But my budget is shot! Anything good out there for under $100? And does the upconversion hype match the reality? Is it worth it?

Thanks for any help!

Upconversion will make almost no difference on a CRT set - just get a decent progressive scan dvd player. The benefits of upconversation can only be seen (and this is especially true on a relatively small set like a 34 inch) on fixed-pixel displays (i.e. plasmas, LCDs, DLPs, etc.)

The XBR is an awesome tv - enjoy it (and the money you will save my not needing an upconverting player)!!!

I know that particular player has gotten great reviews from various sites, including an "excellent" rating from users on cnet.com

I'm getting a Sony HD 16:9 tv tomorrow (hopefully), so I may look into this as well.

However, with HD DVD coming out, I may wait awhile and just pick up one of those players. I'm sure using component cables w/ progressive scan will look good for me, considering I've been watching a 27" standard tube.

"Upconversion will make almost no difference on a CRT set "

Why is that?

Damn, I've been using an Oppo with my new Toshiba 52"

Upconversation allows the DVD players output the match the native resolution of fixed-pixel sets, which results in a sharper and clearer picture. CRTs don't have the same problem that fixed-pixel sets do, so the improvement is much harder to notice. Have you tried switching between 480p and the scaled outputs to see what looks better (or if there is even a difference)?

I have. I do notice a difference, but I would agree with you in that it's not a ridiuculous difference. In fact sometimes, I'm not always sure.

"CRTs don't have the same problem that fixed-pixel sets do,"- what's the problem you're referring to?

Let's say you just have a normal progressive scan DVD player- My CRT would upscale the resolution to match its 1080i native res right?

Are you saying that the TV's upscaling ability is pretty much as good as a good upscaling DVD player and thus the difference isn't that great?

Or is the image upscaled on a Plasma/LCD a lot better than one on a CRT?

First, a CRT TV may have a 480p mode, although I didn't look at the one above to check. That means it will natively display an excellent picture from a good progressive scan player. They are going away from this, leaving CRT TVs with only 1080i native resolution, so upconverting players may be more useful to newer and future CRT models.

But yes, it does also depend on the TV's scaling vs the players. With the digital sets like DLP, LCD, the signal remains digital for more of the path if you use a DVI/HDMI connection with upconversion, and that's why most upconverting players will look better than most TVs. But CRT is still analog, even in HD resolution. So it doesn't matter as much when the conversion from digital to analog happens. If the TV is much better than the player, a progressive player is all you need.

With all that said, the Sony player mentioned is getting good reviews both for progressive and upconversion I believe, and is only $150. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. And you can try both modes to see which looks best. There aren't too many other good progressive scan players in that price range, either.

Ah,
Thanks for the help.

My Toshiba's native res can be 540p or 1080i. And I heard great review about the Oppo's (using the DVI/HDMI cable) upscaling capabilities, so think overall, it was a good paring.

Best Buy has Toshiba for $99.99 that has hd upconversion. Not sure how reliable this player is.

Thanks for all the info. So being able to use an HDMI cable reallly would make no difference?

If not, I would like to stay under $100. Any opinions on these:

Toshiba SD-3980

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1108124983146

Philips DVP642

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1077624500910

Sony DVPNS50P/S

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1109233696237

Thanks!

Well, with those bizarre Tosh TVs with the 540p instead of 480p, you may find it better to have the upconversion directly to 1080i. Because the TV will take the 480p signal from the progressive players and have to convert it again to 540p.

Sorry for the reversal here, and for all the possibilities. It does get complicated these days getting all the machines to talk to each other and give you the best pic.

Of course using the HDMI connection will make a difference (even if it's just the smallest of ones). If you are in the market for a new DVD player anyways, why not get and upconverting one? If you REALLY don't like it, just return it. I assume you have this TV http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1117178041171. If so, it clearly states it does 1080i. I would recommend the Samsung HD850. As far as bang for the buck, I don't think it can be beat. It even will do upconvert over component and region free. Not to mention it comes with the HDMI cable if you choose to use it. Did I already mention it will upconvert over component with at few clicks of the remote? Beautiful if you want to free up a single HDMI connection and get that great picture over component. I am a believer in the upconverting player. I really do see a difference. The HD850 can be had for 129.99 shipped and tax free from vanns.com. They are a highly regarded dealer, super quick and consumer friendly. Here's a link to their HD850. Best of luck. All IMHO of course. http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/category/type/5. Eh, some will say "But you have a HD-ILA. They have a fixed resolution of 720p". Yes, that is true, but a friend of mine has a direct view HD set and it looks fantastic on his.

i give a thumbs up to the toshiba 4980. didn't come with hdmi cable so i had to buy one, but when used, it looks beautiful on my hdtv. upconverts to 480p/720p/1080i. got it at bestbuy for $99, i think costco has it for $79

http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/...=64951.3610578

Upconversion and Region Free for $80. Even with a super long HDMI cable. I love mine.

Thanks again, everyone. BobDole42 makes a good point. I think. I have a Sony XBR800, and I know it will display in 480p - so I think there's no need for the upconversion. Sounds smarter just to stay in 480 mode. I assume the TV does that automatically, right?

I think I'll go with this one for $69.99:

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4035483

I guess I'm hoping the Sony deck will match well with the Sony CRT.

I'm exchanging a player I bought at Best Buy for a Christmas present, so they should honor a price match, right?

Your tv does 480p (and very well - that is a hell of a tv you have!). I gave the Sony DVD player you mentioned to my brother for xmas - I'll ask him what he thinks of it (he's using it with a Sony tv as well).

I think I'm going to try the Sony DVP-NS70 and see if the upscaling is worth it. I have a 30" 16:9 Sony, so it may match up pretty well. Are there any HDMI cables cheaper than Monster's ridiculously priced $125 ones?

Get the cheaper PIONEER at ONECALL.com

Great company, fast shipping, good prices.