Quick question, hoping someone can help me out with this:

I just bought a 32 inch HDTV and while I'm enjoying it quite a bit, my one problem is that divx files now look a little pixeley when I play them on my DVD player. They used to look darn near perfect on my old TV but the new one is a little bigger and of course it's HDTV (if that even matters) so now the picture is bigger, etc.

I'm just wondering if anyone can recommend a way to improve the picture quality? Like maybe if I got an upconverting DVD player that plays divx files, or maybe if I connected via HDMI, rather than those red, yellow and white cables or something?

I'd hate to have to go buy a new DVD player but I'd do it if it'd increase the quality of the divx files.

Can anyone out there recommend anything?

Rest assured, I'd greatly appreciate any advice anyone has.

Incidentally my apologies if this is the wrong place to post this question- it's kind of DVD player related so I'm hoping this is the place for it.

Quick question, hoping someone can help me out with this:

I just bought a 32 inch HDTV and while I'm enjoying it quite a bit, my one problem is that divx files now look a little pixeley when I play them on my DVD player. They used to look darn near perfect on my old TV but the new one is a little bigger and of course it's HDTV (if that even matters) so now the picture is bigger, etc.

I'm just wondering if anyone can recommend a way to improve the picture quality? Like maybe if I got an upconverting DVD player that plays divx files, or maybe if I connected via HDMI, rather than those red, yellow and white cables or something? DIVX should look pretty good on a 32" screen.

I'd hate to have to go buy a new DVD player but I'd do it if it'd increase the quality of the divx files.

Can anyone out there recommend anything?

Rest assured, I'd greatly appreciate any advice anyone has.

Incidentally my apologies if this is the wrong place to post this question- it's kind of DVD player related so I'm hoping this is the place for it.
IMHO, DIVX has always been over-rated. That said, start by properly calibrating your monitor with one of the calibration discs available. DVE is a popular choice. Be sure to "0" any sharpness adjustment on the monitor.

If you are connected to the monitor with composite video, (red white and yellow), that is by far the biggest issue. Use component video (red, blue, green) or HDMI.

If you're wanting a player. Oppo is the only way to go.

I gotta ask- where do I get one of those calibration discs?

I don't know about those and the TV didn't come with one.

Also, what's oppo, is that a DVD brand?

I'm not familiar with that company.

In any case thank you kindly for the info, it's greatly appreciated.

I should also add that I only have a standard DVD player, not high def.

I'm not quite ready to make that leap just yet.

An upconverting DVD player that plays divx files, connected via HDMI, rather than those red, yellow and white cables will improve your picture quality. The Oppo is excellent but several others are good and cost less. With a 32 inch set you may be fine with a less expensive DVD player.

Simply connecting your DVD player by component (3 video lines) instead of composite (one video line) will probably satisfy you.

rdgrimes, quick question:

When you say 3 lines are better than one- are you suggesting I'm better off sticking with the red, yellow, white cables?

Or are these 3 lines I don't know about yet?

Because the gentleman who posted right before you suggested I'd get a better picture with HDMI, not the red, yellow, white cables.

Just trying to figure out which way is the way to go.

Help?

rdgrimes, quick question:

When you say 3 lines are better than one- are you suggesting I'm better off sticking with the red, yellow, white cables?

Or are these 3 lines I don't know about yet?

Because the gentleman who posted right before you suggested I'd get a better picture with HDMI, not the red, yellow, white cables.

Just trying to figure out which way is the way to go.

Help?
Component video that rdgrimes is referring to consists of 3 wires all for video. The red, white, and yellow that you are using have the red and white for audio and the yellow for video. Your current DVD player probably has component video outputs. To use HDMI you would need to purchase a new DVD player that upconverts. If you use component video you will still need the red and white for audio. I agree with rdgrimes that you would probably be happy with this and not have to purchase a new DVD player.

My current DVD player only has the component lines out, i.e. the red, white and yellow. I've got those hooked up to the TV and the picture from divx is okay, but not great.

So if I get a DVD player that upconverts and has HDMI out- I'll get a better picture? I realize I'll still need to use the white and red component lines for the audio, but the HDMI will give me better picture quality?

Do I finally have this right?

Do I finally have this right?

Sort of, the red, white and yellow cables you are using are not component, the yellow is composite, and the R/W are right and left audio.

If you go with HDMI, it will pass audio and video. You will no longer need the red and white cables either.

Okay, looks like an upscaling player is the way to go, thanks so much for all the awesome info, folks.

One final question, if I may:

Can anyone tell me which of these products would be the one to go with, if indeed I was gonna go with one?

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-DVP5960-Player-Upscaling-direct/dp/B000G18DR0

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-DVP5982-1080p-Upscaling-Player/dp/B000N254LU

I like Philips a lot, they make my current player that I've had for a while and I enjoy. Someone said that with a smaller TV such as mine (32 inch) I don't need a top of the line upconverting DVD player, so I'm hoping one of these will do the trick. But the question is- which one?

One cost 20 bucks more than the other but for the life of me, I can't figure out why that is or what the difference between the two units is. If anyone out there can shed some light on this, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks and thanks again for all the great info- it's really coming in handy.

Go with the new Phillips DVP5990. They just came out at Best Buy and Walmart last week. Its the newest version of the two models you linked to. I just got the DVP5990 and it works great with everything I have thrown at it. The remote control seems better then the older models too.

LINK (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp;jsessionid=M0RLPG5ORL2VNKC4D3LFAHI?skuId=8701844&type=product&id=1199495403415)

Excellent, i think I'll grab one.

Any idea if players come with HDMI cables, or are those usually separate?

Did some research and but of course, that player doesn't come with the cable. So I guess I'll get one at the same time, which shouldn't be too hard.

Thanks for all the help folks- I really appreciate it!

Did some research and but of course, that player doesn't come with the cable. So I guess I'll get one at the same time, which shouldn't be too hard.

Thanks for all the help folks- I really appreciate it!

Just don't buy some overpriced cable at your local store:


http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024007&p_id=3871&seq=1&format=2