-DVD's were meant to be shown in 480p not higher.
-Upconverting does enhance scaling artifacts.
-All visual benifits are psychosomatic.
-It pointlessley ocupies a HDMI port that should be used for actual HD signals.
-Also people who use HDMI audio on their dvd player will never hear DD-EX or DTS-ES sound.
Trust me I have a denon dvd player, and al upscaling is the same. Bad.
Upscaling is just dvd with the sharpness (edge enhancement) turned waaay up.

Thank you for that highly informative post. I think I'll just go throw out my upconverting player right now and give myself ten lashings across the back just for owning it. You've truly made me realize the error of my ways.

Site your source. Is there a law I'm not aware of?
Not with my DVD player it doesn't.
You wrong. And "psychosomatic" doesn't mean what you think it means.
My HDTV has plenty of HDMI ports to cover my needs, thank you very much.
That's why they're probably using an optical or coax digital connection for audio.
Trust me, I have an Oppo DVD player and upscaling is good.
Ummm, no.

By the way, did your post have a purpose other than to endear your noobness to the forum?

If you really had a Denon you would know how wrong your information is. The Denon is an excellent upscaler and does an excellent job or removing artifacts, mosquito noise etc.

But that's clearly wrong, because DVDs are not supposed to be shown in anything other than 480p. The OP said so; I think you should listen.

So then I need to throw out my 1080p DLP and bring the old CRT up from the basement so I can experience DVD as it was meant to be.

Salty: Did you get the 981? I don't recall reading your results.

DVDs aren't supposed to be shown in anything other than 480p? Who made up this rule? Afterall, DVDs are recorded in 480i, so by your logic, we shouldn't even have progressive players...

I'm not going to trust you. Why? You have NO idea what you are talking about, and I have better DVD players that you. Don't think just because you have a denon you are some sort of authority. There are video devices that put Denon to shame, but that's not the point of any of this.

Here's some things that show you are better off selling things at Best Buy:

You can't ENHANCE scaling when it's not being done in the first place. You probably mean INTRODUCE. Even then, you are incorrect. Artifacts are either a part of the transfer or improper calibration.

Most people can see the benefits because they are plainly visible.

HDMI is not just for HD. It's the best possible video input there is. You should use it for your primary video device, regardless.

Since when does HDMI not pass those audio codecs?

Please, if you are going to post here in the future, how about you do some homework so you can positively contribute to the forum.

Yes, I did. I posted my preliminary impressions here. Since then, I'm liking the player more and more. It really is great bang for the buck.

But now Zollman has me thinking I should send it back for a refund because apparently upscaling is the devil's work.

I think the OP needs to remember to set his HDMI output to bitstream. That should fix his problem with not getting DTS-ES over HDMI.

This is hilarious. He didn't even know what THD was in his other thread but then he makes another thread like he's an authority on DVD players.

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=493994

Um, Star Wars, Pirates, and all of the big budget movies I've watch on my upscaling DVDs look much much nicer than a regular DVD. Trust me.

My Oppo 970 begs to differ!

Is anyone willing to post some pics showing the difference between reg dvd players and upconverting? Seems like that would solve this since this is suppose to be plainly visible. Some shots showing scenes with moire on reg players vs up-players would also be helpful

Well, hang on I have a 50 inch SXRD 1080p tv, Properly calibrated using, video Essentials, Aviva, THX optimode, and Monster ISF. For DVD 480p over component (mind you I only buy THX-grade Monster cables) is much nicer than 1080i over my Denon 2910. Yes I didnt know what THD meant bc I am not an audiophile. (mind you my cross over freq is set to the THX standard) Upconverting is only good if your monitor cant scale correctly. *No there is no law that says DVD's must be displayed at 480(i/p) but in all honesty would you use Dolby Pro-logic on a Mono coded DVD? Sure It kind of sounds like a 5.1 track (mind you without discreet efects) but is that how Woody Allen would want you to hear Annie Hall?
Thats what I think upconverting is- Video Pro-logic-ization.
Think about it.

You buy Monster Cable? And you think that makes you smart?

no, It just means I spend my money foolishly, did I mention my Sony STRDG1000?

You've still not explained your other bizzare ideas that we should all "trust you" about. You just name-dropped all the video calibration tools that a google search would show, and I doubt that you used them all or even one.

Your comment "if your monitor can't scale correctly" is the same thing as upconversion, you know that right? Of course you don't.

Exactly. With every post, you make your self look worse.

Pics will end the whole debate.

I have an Oppo player that uses a variable speed drive motor to optically decode digital data user high-frequency light emission in order to process said data and transmit it via variable voltage coaxial transmission lines matched to the inherent impedence of the source and remote devices.

Does that mean my set-up is OK? I guess I will wait for the pics.

Pictures are worth a thousand words - it really is true

You keep asking for pictures, but I'm not sure there is a way to accurately show in an online forum the subtle differences between an upconverting DVD player and the upconversion done by a TV. Essentially you'd have to take a picture of a TV screen with a digital camera, and I don't think that would show what needs to be shown.

I think we can all agree to disagree... with the OP.