Just ordered a new Samsung LN52A650, which should arrive next week sometime. Most of the gear that i have right now is fairly old, so i guess i am looking at upgrading. Being retired means, not being able to replace all the components at one time ( or else my wife would kill me ).

So here goes.

Along with the Samsun LN52A650 LCD, i am running a Scientific Atlanta 8300HD settop box. Those two will be connected via an HDMI cable ( something new for me ).

While sitting here, waiting for the TV to arrive, i have started drawing the cableing drawings on how everything is supposed to be put together when it gets here.

The first real problem i see is my old DVD Player.... a Panasonic DVD-RP56. Don't laugh, it still works. Anyways, i am sure that to view movies from it onto the new LCD TV will not be giving me the greatest of pictures.

I have started reading on Blue Ray, and upconverting players, and i have to confess, i am totally lost. I have over 200 DVD's which ofcourse are not BlueRay ( whatever that means ). I would think an upconverting player would be the way to go, but i don't want to find out that 6 months down the road that i made a big mistake.

So finally here is my question... would i be happy with an upconverting player on an HDMI cable, or do i go for a Blue Ray player. I am sure that question has been asked many times before, but it seems that every thread i start reading on that subject, people go off on tangents. Does that mean there is no clear answer, or what?

I would be interested in hearing what is a decent player, in each catagory. I am retired, so i can't go for the top of the line.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

if u wanna spend ~$400+, get a sony ps3. it'll play blu-ray and do a very good job as upconverter.
for just a great upconverter for less check out oppo, see ad at top of page.
else
goto
bestbuy.com,
circuitcity.com,
jr.com,
other big box ce retailers.

edit-new sony blu ray player prices will soon be coming down, check out those.
more edit-keep on reading!

I would be interested in hearing what is a decent player, in each catagory. I am retired, so i can't go for the top of the line.

If you are not going to have any Blu-Ray discs, you do not need a Blu-Ray player.

You don't even need an upscaling player for your DVDs; your display will accept any supported input signal and scale it to its the native resolution. An upscaling player gives you the option of scaling in the player or in the display, which is fun to play with, but not essential.

Also, your Panasonic DVD-RP56 gets a rather good test report here: http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=all&type=&manufacturer=6&maxprice=0&deInt=0&mpeg=0#PanasonicDVD-RP56 ... so I would not be in a hurry to replace it.

Before spending money on new gear, I recommend trying a calibration disc. It can make a huge difference, more than the improvement from a new player. You probably already have THX Optimizer on some of your discs; it is a good, free way to get started. I have additional brief comments here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9889995&&#post9889995

How do you have the player connected to the display? You'll get better images with component than with composite or s-video.

Finally, if you want a new player for your new display, I have been pleased with Oppo. Not sold in stores, you have to order direct or from places like Amazon. The 980 is their cheapest and it's a bargain at $169.

-Bill

I have used for years a similar top-rated Faroudja-based 480p DVD Player, the Panasonic XP30. Same basic design as the earlier RP82 and RP56 models.

A few months ago I got a 1080p Panasonic plasma 46PZ80U and still used the XP30 via component connection. However I got the Oppo DVD-981HD bargain price from the woot! deal about a month ago and it improved on the older player with 1080p upconversion and also has the great Faroudja chipset. I'm connected via HDMI now. I was considering the lower cost Oppo 980 model but saw the woot! deal and jumped on that one day bargain. The 980 could be a good upgrade though.

If you are not going to have any Blu-Ray discs, you do not need a Blu-Ray player.

You don't even need an upscaling player for your DVDs; your display will accept any supported input signal and scale it to its the native resolution. An upscaling player gives you the option of scaling in the player or in the display, which is fun to play with, but not essential.

Also, your Panasonic DVD-RP56 gets a rather good test report here: http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=all&type=&manufacturer=6&maxprice=0&deInt=0&mpeg=0#PanasonicDVD-RP56 ... so I would not be in a hurry to replace it.

Before spending money on new gear, I recommend trying a calibration disc. It can make a huge difference, more than the improvement from a new player. You probably already have THX Optimizer on some of your discs; it is a good, free way to get started. I have additional brief comments here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9889995&&#post9889995

How do you have the player connected to the display? You'll get better images with component than with composite or s-video.

Finally, if you want a new player for your new display, I have been pleased with Oppo. Not sold in stores, you have to order direct or from places like Amazon. The 980 is their cheapest and it's a bargain at $169.

-Bill

All great advise.

Definitely try out your old Panasonic before replacing it.

Here (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/Blu-rayDisc+DVD/PioneerDVDPlayers+Recorders/ci.DV-410V-K.Kuro) is an excellent player for the money, it has very good picture quality in case you decide to replace your current player. I'm pretty sure you won't find anything comparable to that, for that cost.

Excellent TV by the way. ;)

If you have over 200 DVDs chances are you are a movie buff :D

Go over to your local Best Buy or Circuit City where they usually have a high-def demo running and take a look first-hand. I suspect you'll be getting a blu-ray player to go with that new TV!