I currently have a Sony 42"LCD rear projection set ( 720p) built in 2005 and use a Sony 9000ES ( 480p) to play dvds. The picture quality, via component, is really great.

Recently I have tried two new up-converting dvd players ( Denon 1930ci & Sony DVP NS77) using a Monster 1000 HDMI cable. The goal was to have the players do the up-conversion , rather than the LCD set.

Why is the picture quality from the up-converting players, at 720p no better and sometimes worse than the 480p output from the 900ES to the LCD ?

Can a 2005 built LCD set actually up-convert "better" than these two current dvd players?

Is the jump from 480p to 720p not that noticeable ?


Thanks in advance for explaining this.

I currently have a Sony 42"LCD rear projection set ( 720p) built in 2005 and use a Sony 9000ES ( 480p) to play dvds. The picture quality, via component, is really great.

Recently I have tried two new up-converting dvd players ( Denon 1930ci & Sony DVP NS77) using a Monster 1000 HDMI cable. The goal was to have the players do the up-conversion , rather than the LCD set.

Why is the picture quality from the up-converting players, at 720p no better and sometimes worse than the 480p output from the 900ES to the LCD ?

Can a 2005 built LCD set actually up-convert "better" than these two current dvd players?

Is the jump from 480p to 720p not that noticeable ?


Thanks in advance for explaining this.

See the sticky at the top of this forum: "A Primer on DVD in a High-Def world; or How Much is that Scaler in the Window?", http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=477740

-Bill

Why is the picture quality from the up-converting players, at 720p no better and sometimes worse than the 480p output from the 900ES to the LCD ?

Can a 2005 built LCD set actually up-convert "better" than these two current dvd players?

Is the jump from 480p to 720p not that noticeable ?


Thanks in advance for explaining this.

A:
1.Most HDTV's have a better upscaler than ones found on cheap DVD players.
2.Yes.
3.There are many factors that effect PQ when upscaling 480(576 PAL) to 720p.Using HDMI will usually give you better PQ and allows you to upconvert CSS encrypted DVD's.
I connect my DVD player via HDMI and set it to 480p because my TV does a better job upscaling.

Thanks for the answers.

Any suggestions for a decent up converting player at say under $500 ?

Been looking at a Cambridge and NAD units.


I thought the specs on the Denon 1930 were supposed to be pretty decent, as the MSRP was around $350 or so.

Are the Frajouda chips stiil the best at under $500?

Thanks for the answers.

Any suggestions for a decent up converting player at say under $500 ?

Been looking at a Cambridge and NAD units.


I thought the specs on the Denon 1930 were supposed to be pretty decent, as the MSRP was around $350 or so.

Are the Frajouda chips stiil the best at under $500?

I've been pleased with my Oppo 981 at $229, but I don't know how to rate "best under $500". If I were spending money today I would look hard at the HD-DVD and Blu-Ray players.

You might see if your candidates have been tested here: http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi

-Bill

Thanks to all who replied.

I did check into the link that wmcclain provided but the most recent list was from 12/06, over a year ago.

Perhaps instead of "best" I should use a decent video and music dvd player.

Read a review on the Sony Blue Ray player and it was not favorable on std dvds.

So ,to wrap this up, I'm looking for a dvd player that can up-convert to 720p, via HDMI that will also sound musical and at least equal the sound of my Sony 9000ES. Price range is up to $550.

Explain this up-conversion thing

Its kind of like trying to paint a house with a few gallons of paint, you might get it covered but it'll never look right.