Through using the search function, I see a lot of different threads on opinions of different upconverting players, but none that seemed to directly address my question. I have a Toshiba HD-A2 and I recently got a PS3. I just watched an SD on the PS3 (Nights of Cabiria) and there seemed to be a great deal of graininess (more than I remember when watching it on the A2 (previously). So, I popped it into the A2 and it seems to be much smoother than watching on the PS3.

I know that Cabiria isn't a 2008 action flick and I know about the video quality background of the film anyway, but there seems to be a distinct difference in the upconvert quality. Anyone have a different perspective? I had read about how good of an upconverter the PS3 was and I'm pretty disappointed with the quality compared to the A2.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

I have both and I tend to use the PS3 although I don't think there is much of a difference.

Is you PS3 set-up to unconvert properly? I don't even know if I am asking a valid question since I haven't set it up in a while but maybe there is a setting you are missing.

I have both, and I prefer to use my A2 for DVD watching/upconverting, though the PS3 does a good job as well...I just find the A2's picture to look very slightly better...put it this way: if I only had a PS3, I wouldn't be complaining, but if given the choice and opportunity, I'd go with the A2....

This. The PS3 is good enough that there's no need for a separate player for upconverting, but if you have both, use the Toshiba. I'll keep the player around for watching SD, even if I get rid of my small HD DVD collection

my preference is for the A2 - only because it is easier to operate with my harmony remote.

Use my A2 also for all DVD watching over my PS3, but I haven't given them real thorough comparisons. The A2 is simply cheaper to replace.

I use the A2 for pretty much all non-BD watching. I don't think I've ever even tested out the PS3's upconverting abilities. Don't need to for now as long as the ol' A2 is still tickin'.

Thanks everyone for the input. I haven't messed with the settings on the PS3 thus far to see if I can get a better PQ out of the upconverts, but after going back and forth between the two the noise seems sharper on the PS3 (and; therefore, more noticeable). I'd love to continue to use the A2 for upconverting purposes, but I'm at capacity with HDMI inputs right now.

As Spacey mentioned, I'll give the settings a try and see if there is any discernible difference. I'm thinking that it might have to do with that, and, since I was watching an older film with more noticeable flaws, that the slight difference between the two became more apparent. At the end of the day, I'm not terribly worried about it, but I just wanted to see what others were experiencing.

Thanks again.

I do remember that at least one of the firmware upgrades for the PS3 did improve the upconversion quality a bit. So do make sure that you've got the latest firmware using System Update.

I used to have an A2 before it went brick and Toshiba replaced it with an A3.

It was noticeably better than the PS3 at the time, but the PS3 has improved since. My system now has an A30 (the A3 is a backup) and I think the A30 and PS3 are about equal as upconverters.

A couple of things. Are you using different inputs on your TV for the two players? If so, are they each calibrated separately for the connected player? In particular, the "sharpness" setting can have a huge effect on the appearance of grain, but so can other settings.

If you're going through a switcher (like an AVR) to the same input on the TV, there's not much you can do unless you can create a macro with your URC to switch TV calibration presets when you switch sources.

This is my set-up and my preferred way of viewing, as well.

OP, if your at capacity for HDMI inputs, why not do it over Component to 1080i/720p?

I will double-check the firmware...that was one of the things that I suspected.

Thanks for responding. I appreciate all of the feedback.

They are both on the exact same input and using the exact same cable. I am actually pulling the HDMI out of the PS3 and going into the A2. Since I got the PS3 I haven't even watched any HD-DVD's, so I'm going with my HD Receiver/DVR in one HDMI and the PS3 in the other HDMI input.

Also, I'm going direct from PS3 to the TV (not through a receiver).

I watched a newer SD on the PS3 this weekend and it seemed to be on par with what I expected with the A2. I think that if I were to mess with some of the settings, then I could probably get it to look a little bit better.