Ok I really want a DVD player (or something) that does upconverting to HD. I see one in the paper on sale on boxing day (an LG model) and I'm wondering if that would be good for my purposes? Someone told me if I wanted an upconverting player I should buy a really expensive one but some other people told me a cheap one is the same. Can someone clear this up for me? Any suggestions on what I should buy? I need to buy a new home theatre setup too soon so should I wait to find something that integrates everything? Any help is appreciated.

Check this out:
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi

Sometimes cheap is as good as expensive, but not indiscriminately.

Can anyone recommend a good up-converting DVD player?

PG

If you want 1080p

http://www.amazon.com/Oppo-DV-981HD-...&s=electronics

If you want 720p

http://www.amazon.com/OPPO-DV-970HD-...&s=electronics

That is what has been recommended to me by others, BUT I am not sure they are worth it depending on your TV.

Maybe someone else here can clear something up for me (slight thread highjack)

I have a samsung 5087w 1080p capable DLP tv. I have a pioneer DVD player currently connected with component video cables and outputting 480p.

I **THINK** the samsung TV must be doing some up convert as I borrowed a friends Oppo 970hd (hooked up via a monoprice HDMI cable) over the weekend and I could NOT notice a difference when switching DVDs between the two players and the two connections.

Everything I know about this tells me the Oppo over the HDMI cable (confirmed output at 720p) should look better, but it didn't.

Is it just me? time for new glasses?

**or** is the TV doing some upconvert of it's own on my component level input?

I was all set to go buy an Oppo and now --- >

Yes I keep hearing about Oppo players. Which model Oppo should I buy? Does any do component up-converting? Any alternatives to Oppo or should I stick with that?

PG

It looks like the TV may be upconverting and carnage6, there may not be a definte answer for you other than to try an oppo and see if you like it

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=24738

Carnage, I do not believe any Oppo's do upconverting over components. I know that the 971 only does it for DVI.

Oppo's 970HD does upconvert over component, but you need to use a hacked firmware for it. It is easily available though. To the OP, which Oppo depends on your display, size and whether it is prone to macroblocking. The 970HD has been termed a little sharper, the other two, more smoother/softer. Though, the 971 and 981 have the better Faroudja chip. Oppo's website has a nice breakdown of which they recommend.

What display do you have?

If you are trying to upconvert something for a 27" display you may be disappointed.

No I want to upconvert on like a 50 inch screen. If I go with the latest model Oppo do you think I will get everything I want? I want 1080p if possible. What about those home theatre systems that upconvert. Are they better or worse than an Oppo? I know if I'm paying $2000+ for one it better be much improved over the Oppo.

PG

I've got a Samsung DLP HL-P5063W & right now I'm using a dvd/vcr combo with it Panasonic PVD4774S. I've been thinking about upconverting also & this thread looked like just what I needed. I'd like to keep the dvd/vcr running through the tv (for vcr use off of cable for tv shows) & use the upconverter through the first auxiliary. I'm not real what you'd call tech savvy but would the new Oppo DV-981HD be the best for me & would I need anything additional cable wise to set it up? Any help greatly appreciated. BTW still on my original bulb after 2 years with 1 more year left on my Circuit City extended warranty & the picture looks as good as the day it was installed. About a half dozen times in the last 4 months the picture was bright red when I turned the set on but after turning it off for a couple minutes it returned to a perfect pic. I think I'm probably due for a new bulb sometime though before the warranty expires.

If you got $2000 to spend you may as well go with HD-DVD or Blu-Ray and that way you get real HD + upconversion...

Yea, I tend to agree...unless you can get a really good deal, I consider HD or BD.

I am gettin a Mits 1080p DLP this Thursday, and I am considering a upconverting player. I have some BB credit to use, which will pay for most of a LG or Sony upconverting player.

The TV will convert signals to its native 1080p I believe, so would an upconverting player be useful, since the TV would be converting it again anyways? I like the oppo, but I don't know if I want to invest. I am considering a cheaper upconverting DVD player, then in the near future possible the 360 HD player.

I am not really planning on buying a lot of HD-DVDs so I am not concerned with that now. I would prefer to wait a bit longer and see what happens in the "war" and see if prices fall on the discs and players.

What's the value of an upconverting DVD player? Doesn't the TV already 'upconvert' the signal? I guess to get a better conversion algorithm?

I was wondering the same thing. Can anyone explain? I've been wondering if it's worth it to get an Oppo for the upconversion.

I have read that the Oppo DV-970HD is the recommended (by Oppo) unit for DLPs. This unit does not have the Faroujda chip that is highly touted.

But with an included HDMI cable, it is about the same price as the Sony or LG from BB.

I just don't know why a player that converts to 720P 0r 1080i then by the TV to 1080P would be better than the player that does 1080P. I don't really know the ins and outs of the problem (macro-blocking I think) but trust Oppo to know their product.

That's the player I went ahead and ordered. I went with that one instead of the next model up since the 970 has HDMI instead of DVI, as does my TV (Sony KFD-50A10). I know an adaptor is simple enough, but I decided to just go with the straight connection. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to try it out. I need to replace my player anyway, so even if the upconversion isn't as revolutionary as I'm hoping it is, it won't be a total loss.

The Oppo 970 can do upconvert over component cables with a firmware hack

I am not sure that everyone needs an upconverting player. I said earlier that I borrowed one and I could not see a difference on my TV using the same DVD disc source.

I guess some people can see it and it varies on some TVs to what degree or I am just blind, I decided that **I** do not need one, but if I were going to buy one, I would have bought the Oppo based on everything I read. My friends are very happy with their Oppos. Not sure what other features the hacked firmware adds, I just know upconvert over component was one of them

I got my 970 a couple of days ago. While the difference from my old picture isn't night and day, I would say that it looks sharper and cleaner than my Yamaha, especially after some minor adjustments to the set (I just used the THX Optimizer on Star Wars III since that's all I have right now.) I also made a few tweaks on the player itself (lowering sharpness etc.) I'll have to watch a few more movies to decide, but I'm pretty sure I'm keeping it. Oppo has a 30-day no questions asked guarantee, which is nice. For the record, I'm using the HDMI cable with a Sony KDF-50A10, with the setting at 720p.