Hello everyone, new here. It's my first post and of course I have a question. All this upconvert stuff is very trying. I have an older Yamaha amp, no HDMI (not that I'm crazy about HDMI over Component) and have a new Panasonic TH58-600U plasma. I already know that most DVD players/ recorders will not upconvert using anything but HDMI, so what do I do?

I have an installation that I built that transports the TV into the cieling when not in use. The component cable run is about 36 feet -- too long for HDMI for my liking. I'm using the TV as a monitor only, therefore only the component cables run to it.

Any suggestions on getting the use of the resolution of the TV instead of getting stuck with 480i?

Try the search function for upscaling players over component (there are several threads on the same topic).

Thanks, I have since the post. Found a lot of useful info which basically says I'm going nowhere fast until the Blueray, HD DVD war is settled.

I'm an old dude and all of this kind of reminds me of the old VHS, Beta warfare.

Also reminds me of the Dynamic Range Expanders (Pioneer RG-1 and RG-2)of the old days that were supposed to "expand" the sound of vinyl (reverse or at least restore that which was lost to "compression" when the record was recorded) but in reality, what you got is what you got.

Sounds like the "upconverting" issue is the same. If the original signal is 480i then thats it. Any "upconverting" is some sort of fancy electronic voo-doo to reconfigure.

Thanks, I have since the post. Found a lot of useful info which basically says I'm going nowhere fast until the Blueray, HD DVD war is settled.

I'm an old dude and all of this kind of reminds me of the old VHS, Beta warfare.

Also reminds me of the Dynamic Range Expanders (Pioneer RG-1 and RG-2)of the old days that were supposed to "expand" the sound of vinyl (reverse or at least restore that which was lost to "compression" when the record was recorded) but in reality, what you got is what you got.

Sounds like the "upconverting" issue is the same. If the original signal is 480i then thats it. Any "upconverting" is some sort of fancy electronic voo-doo to reconfigure.

If you are going to watch SD sources (like DVDs) on an HD display then the images must be scaled somewhere, either in the player or the display or some other box. The results are not always the same; so 480i and "that's it" is not the whole story. There are limits to what can be done, but some deinterlacing and scaling is better than others.

-Bill

I'm all ears. But remember I don't have an HDMI input to use, and as I understand it the "upscaling" or "upconverting" won't be available through the component outputs only thru the HDMI output.



?????

I'm all ears. But remember I don't have an HDMI input to use, and as I understand it the "upscaling" or "upconverting" won't be available through the component outputs only thru the HDMI output.



?????

There are firmware hacks for some players to allow component upscaling. The Oppo 970 is a popular choice in this regard.

Otherwise, you rely on the display to do the scaling. This is not necessarily bad, but you'll never know which is the better method unless you are able to try it.

On the other hand, all these efforts often produce only the most subtle, subjective differences.

-Bill

The TV is a Panasonic TH-58-600U Plasma. Do you think the signal will be upscaled by the TV? I've spoken to Panasonic, but I can't really get a straight answer.

I'll have to do a search on the Oppo 970-- not familiar with this.

Ok, I looked at this unit online. But none offer the upscaling advantage through the component video outputs on the units I saw.

Why is this such a holy grail? I thought most here would always opt for component connections with any system?

The TV is a Panasonic TH-58-600U Plasma. Do you think the signal will be upscaled by the TV? I've spoken to Panasonic, but I can't really get a straight answer.

I'll have to do a search on the Oppo 970-- not familiar with this.

All fixed pixel devices scale any supported input signal to their native resolution.

-Bill

Ok, I looked at this unit online. But none offer the upscaling advantage through the component video outputs on the units I saw.

What unit? The 970? It is an unsupported firmware hack not available from the manufacturer. That is all you are going to find from current vendors. They are not allowed to upscale SD signals over component anymore. This is a feeble anti-piracy measure.

Why is this such a holy grail?

What?

I thought most here would always opt for component connections with any system?

As compared with composite or s-video, sure. Those connections don't support progressive or HD signals. Component, DVI and HDMI all have about the same ability to carry HD video.

-Bill

Thanks for the info, you're been a lot of help!!!

The Helios unit (H-4000) looks like a winner. What do you think?

The holy grail--- upscaling through the component outputs -- you answered that for me (piracy issue).

Once again, thanks.

Thanks for the info, you're been a lot of help!!!

The Helios unit (H-4000) looks like a winner. What do you think?

I have no experience with it. A quick search of the forum shows these threads, where users report mixed experiences:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=729947&page=1&pp=30
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=750266
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=843626

You'll find that Oppo has a very strong fan base here. I've been happy with mine.

-Bill

I have no experience with it. A quick search of the forum shows these threads, where users report mixed experiences:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=729947&page=1&pp=30
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=750266
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=843626

You'll find that Oppo has a very strong fan base here. I've been happy with mine.

-Bill
Ditto. Oppo has been great for me.

After reading the Oppo stuff, I agree they look like a great company dedicated to these issues.

But as I see it, since I haven't got the option of a digital connection (HDMI) and am using the component connections, the best I can hope for with the Oppo 970 is and upscale from 480i to 480p.

It that right? And if so, will I see any "significant" result in picture quality on my 720p - 1080i display (58" Panasonic)?