Hello everyone

I am totally ignorant about current technologies, but I do want to upgrade my old equipment. I love front projectors, and I would like to purchase a Mitsubishi HC 5500 projector and a Blu-ray player (I do not have any particlar one, but probably Momitsu BDP 899 Region Free). My question is could I use my old A/V receiver, which does not have any HDMI output. My current components do not have any HDMI. I just connected S-video cable from DVD player to a projector, and Coaxial cable from my receiver to DVD player, and it works quite well. I asked one home theater store and I was told that I have to purchase a upconverting receiver with HDMI output. What does "upcoverting" mean, and do I absolutely need a new receiver?

Thanks for your help!!

Henry

By upconverting he means your dvd player will be unconverted to 1080p through the reciever. If you're not interested in 1080p picture and lossless audio, don't bother with an hdmi reciever.

I'm not an expert, either, so I may not be able to give you as much help as other people, here, but I'll try. I've never heard of an upconverting receiver. Not to say there isn't one, but I've never heard of it. Now, to be able to upconvert DVDs you need HDMI, and if you want to use some of the HD audio specs you'll need a new receiver, but if you're not worried about either of those (or don't want to spend the money on a receiver just yet), then you don't have to worry about it. I currently use component connections to my TV and an optical connection to my receiver (you may be able to also use digital coax, but the Blu-ray player may not have it, since I don't believe mine has one). Either way, it works great. I'm not able to upconvert DVDs and I only get 5.1 audio, but I still enjoy my Blu-ray player. I'd have to buy a new TV and receiver to get the full potential of a Blu-ray player, but since I can't afford that, I'm happy with what I have. If you'll be happy with just your HD video on the projector and what sound you can get from your current receiver, then I wouldn't worry about purchasing a new receiver. However, make sure you have the right connections. If the projector has HDMI inputs, then you should be able to use them even without an HDMI receiver (just hook it directly to the projector). If you hook it up that way, you'll still be able to upconvert your DVDs (which means it upconverts standard DVDs to near HD quality, though it isn't true HD quality because of the source). If not, then use the component inputs (which means you won't be able to upconvert). Do not use composite (yellow connection) or S-video! Check your blu-ray player and see what audio outputs you may have. If it has digital coax then you should still be able to use that going to your current receiver. But if it doesn't, looks for an optical output and check to see if your receiver has that. You'll have to buy an optical cable, but you should be able to find a good price on one at monoprice.com (same goes for HDMI). Again, do not use composite (white,red)! I hope that helps, and someone else may be able to give more input or explain better than I can.

That's probably what the salesman means, and he's misusing the word "upconverting." Every receiver I have ever seen merely converts various video signals for output over HDMI; they do not upconvert them to 1080p, they leave them in their native resolution.

If I were the OP and were looking to upgrade a few things, rather than the Momitsu player I would spend an extra $150 and get the Oppo Blu-ray player. It's one of the best Blu-ray players ever made and is an excellent upconverting DVD player, plus it can be made region-free for both DVD and BD with a firmware hack. And until he upgrades his receiver, it will convert all the new surround sound formats and output them via analog connections.

If the projector has an HDMI input, you can get by without a new receiver by doing essentially what you've been doing: connect HDMI to the projector for video, and optical/coax to your AVR for audio. This will work fine.

What you will miss is lossless audio, unless your AVR has analog multichannel inputs and you buy a player that has corresponding outputs. I don't recommend this, really, because the extra cost and hassle usually yields only a small improvement, if any. Eventually you will have an HDMI receiver, rendering all the analog legacy audio stuff moot.

Upconversion is an issue only for your standard definition sources, if you still have any -- SD DVD players/recorders, VHS decks, etc. And even then, any digital display (all HDTVs are digital displays, and so are projectors like your Mitsu) automatically upconverts all lower-resolution sources. They have to: Digital displays can only show their native resolution (1080p or whatever), so any source with lower res is upconverted just to be able to show it at all.

Your BD player will also upscale DVDs, and proficiency at this is one of the primary distinguishing factors when choosing a Blu-ray player.

So why would upconversion be necessary in a receiver? Well, different video processors are better or worse at this task. If you watch a lot of SD content, then you probably should do some research into how well various projectors and AVRs do upconversion. There is some benefit to running all of your sources through a receiver with good upconversion, which will pass your 1080p content untouched while converting everything else to 1080p, plus process all your audio and let you switch all your components conveniently. But it's an expense you can defer, especially if you're not watching much SD other than DVDs.

This has become a standard feature even on mid-range AVRs lately. Denon's AVR-1910 (to pick one almost at random) advertises "Anchor Bay VRS advanced analog and digital video upconversion and deinterlacing with 1080p 24Hz/60Hz pass-through."

So why would upconversion be necessary in a receiver? Well, different video processors are better or worse at this task. If you watch a lot of SD content, then you probably should do some research into how well various projectors and AVRs do upconversion. There is some benefit to running all of your sources through a receiver with good upconversion, which will pass your 1080p content untouched while converting everything else to 1080p, plus process all your audio and let you switch all your components conveniently. But it's an expense you can defer, especially if you're not watching much SD other than DVDs.[/QUOTE]

I am getting to udnerstand it and thank you for your help!!, but one more question. If upconverting means SD content (any content lower than 1080p)to 1080P, I should look into projectors and Blu Ray players how well they perform upconversion, right. On the other hand, HDMI receiver may be needed in order to get lossless sound from blu-ray disks? Is this correct?

Henry

For the most part, projectors as well as flat screens do a decent job at upconverting material to its native resolution. After browsing a little on AVS Forum, it seems the 5500 does a pretty good job.

Just remember to calibrate your projector once you get everything hooked up. It is the most important thing you can do for the video in your HT. Here is the Mitsubishi HC5500 Owners Thread on AVS for a ton of info and direct help from HC5500 owners.

As for Blu-ray players, I own a PS3 and am very happy with its performance. The Oppo BDP-83 is a very solid choice for an all-in-one player that kicks serious ass. There's other players out there from Panasonic that are very reliable and have cool features on them too (Netflix, Amazon or YouTube streaming, built in Wi-Fi, etc.). Do some solid research before making the purchase.

Finally, for receivers, in order to get lossless sound you have three options.

1. The player decodes PCM, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-MA HD internally and sends it over HDMI to your HDMI receiver. The receiver treats it as a PCM multichannel input and does no processing but simply sends the singal out to your speakers.
2. The player decodes PCM, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-MA HD internally and sends it via your analog (RCA cables) 7.1 channel out to your analog 7.1 channel input on your receiver (if your receiver has these inputs).
3. You simply connect the player via HDMI to your receiver and the receiver handles all processing of PCM, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-MA HD.

They all sound the same for the most part (some would argue HDMI sounds the best as there is no digital to analog conversion) so all the options would treat you well. The big question is do you have speakers that would benefit from this? I assume you have an at least 5.1 or maybe 7.1 setup, correct? If so and you have some decent speakers, then lossless audio is the way to go. It is the main reaosn why I upgraded to Blu-Ray/HD-DVD.

Hope the info helps. Cheers!

The difference in how well BD players upconvert is IMO the biggest performance difference among them (aside from disc loading times). Other differences (does it have analog outputs? which formats does it bitstream and which does it decode internally?) concern features rather than performance, and features are things you either need or you don't.

And when you read tests of displays, the quality of their SD upconversion (from 480i specifically) is often markedly different. If you will rely on your display to upconvert SD content from devices that don't do their own upconversion, and you plan to watch a lot of it, this distinction will matter, especially on a large display. The comments of owners, especially on AVS Forum as noted by Steebo, can be a worthwhile guide to this, along with formal test reports.

Unless you have exceptional speakers, I wouldn't worry about lossless audio. BDs have legacy DTS and DD) soundtracks encoded at significanly hifgher bitrates than those on DVDs, and so even with a standard coax or optical connection they sound really good. Many people can't tell the difference between the legacy and the lossless track on the same BD.

If you do want lossless audio now, then yes, upgrade your receiver. Analog multichannel isn't worth the trouble and expense unless your older receiver/processor is a high-end unit. Newer receivers can be a worthwhile upgrade for other reasons: they simplify connection and switching, and they often have features like Audyssey room EQ and dynamic compression that can in many cases provide audible improvement.

[QUOTE=steebo777;9554650]For the most part, projectors as well as flat screens do a decent job at upconverting material to its native resolution. After browsing a little on AVS Forum, it seems the 5500 does a pretty good job.
QUOTE]

Thanks for the great help!!

It's not really 1080p when you upconvert a DVD. All it is, is copying the lines of resolution that DVD gives off to 1080 lines of resolution. But you have a lot of repeat lines, where as with Blu Ray all the lines are different, giving you more detail. I've actually heard from some people that upconverting a DVD image looks worse then just leaving it at 480p. So "Upconverted to 1080p" is kind of deceiving.

Not all Blu's have lossless audio.

I have one question for you. If I purchased Oppo Blu ray player, how do I hack the firmware to make both DVD and BD region free?

Henry

Ah, that's good to know. It's been a little while since I seriously looked at receivers.

There are links to the firmware in this thread. I assume it installs like the manufacturer's firmware, so check Oppo's Web site for firmware update procedures.

My uncle is using a SONY bdp550 to a SONY 46" Bravia and neither of us see any upconverting even though we have it hooked up through HDMI. In fact we hooked up his old and I mean old SONY SD player and the picture was indistinguishable in an A/B comparison.

Did you go through the BDP550 menu to make sure you have the correct settings enabled? Make sure there's no weird 'features' or options turned on that may alter the picture. Just have it output to your TVs res (1080p I assume). That player does a solid job for upconverting SD-DVDs.

Hello everybody

I just purchased Mitsubishi HC6500, and an oppo blu-ray player. Whcih type of HDMI cable do you guys recommend?
Any help is appreciated.
The store I purchased it from said QVC makes the best cable, but I can not find its home page.

Henry

Buy your HDMI cables from Monoprice.com. Seriously, there's a thread discussing this on the front page of the hardware area. The only recommendation you're going to get around here is Monoprice.

Actually, scratch that. The Oppo comes with an HDMI cable. You don't need to buy another one.

Thanks for your help!!. Probably I need to purchase one anyway. I need a 15 feet in length. I will take a look at monoprice home page.

Henry

Here you go.

Hello everyone

I just received my Mitsubishi HC6500 and OPPO BDP 83 blu ray player. How do I calibrate the projector?

Henry

You need to buy Digital Video Essentials: HD Basics on Blu-ray. Follow the scripted video and go form there. Plan on a couple hours of your time. This is a huge thing to do to get it looking right, so don't blow it off. You can also calibrate your audio at the time by using the disc and an SPL meter.

You can also have an ISF technician come out and calibrate it, but you're talking about $300-$500, so I don't know if you want to do that.

Thanks for your help!! I will purchase it.

Henry