dvd or HD-dvd??

Here you go http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1085043

By the way you need an HD-DVD player to play HD-DVD discs. They are not compatible with DVD players.

Correct, it will simply upscale the image on the standard DVD. You would need to get a HD-DVD player to play HD-DVD discs. The same goes for Blu-Ray.

You need an HD DVD player to play an HD DVD disc at all. As a sort of exception, if the disc is a "combo" (also called "hybrid") disc, it's an HD DVD on one side and a regular DVD on the other side. You can play the DVD side in a regular DVD player (upconverting or not), but it won't be any different from a regular DVD as far as the picture goes.

So if you want to watch Band of Brothers on HD DVD, you'll have to scrounge up an HD DVD player on eBay or someplace else that still sells them. Nobody's made any new HD DVD players since Toshiba threw in the towel on HD DVD last February.

HD DVD may be "dead" but it's pretty spry for a dead man. The players are excellent DVD upconverters plus play true 1080p discs (that can be found for less than $10) yet cost less than upconverters of comparable quality that can only play DVDs.

Many of us see that as a bargain.

DVD max resolution is 480p. Even if the DVD picture is upscaled to 1080p the resolution in essence still 480p. HD-DVD and Blu-ray max resolution is 1080p so the picture will look much better than upscaled DVD because of the higher resolution used to record the film.

Think of it this way a digital photo taken at for example 1 megapixel and upscaled to 5 megapixel won't look as good as it it was captured at 5 megapixel to begin with.

All HD DVD players also play DVD's

cheers

I am & have always been a HD supporter...but even I have to say going forward BD is the way to go. The only saving grace is that with BD disc prices still so high, I only buy big event blockbusters type movies on sale.
Otherwise, SD is still king for me.

If you can still find one, go with the XA2. I have never owned such a fantastic upconverting player. I've owned the A2 and A35. as well. There is no contest. And if you still have quite a few HD DVDs, as I do, You can unleash the full power of this awesome beast.

After I first turned to HDM, my 500+ DVD selection just sat and collected dust. After a little over 6 months of using the A2 and then the A35, I got rid of the 35 and picked up an XA2. It breathed new life into my SD collection and contines to do so today.

It will truly be a sad day when my XA2 departs and is un-repairable.

King244, are you happy with your current upconverter and SD DVD? Then go ahead and get BOB on DVD. Otherwise the BD version is about to be released and maybe you'll find a holiday deal on a BD player. Also all this is moot if your TV isn't good enough for full HD DVD or BD.

Hello,

I have followed this thread and it has been very helpful but maybe some kind soul can see if I have it correct.

I have a 50" Samsung Model HP-S5053 Plasma HD set with native resolution / video inputs of 480i/p and 720p / 1080i.

I have a 10-year-old Yamaha DVD player and am in need of a new player, the question is what to buy?

From this thread, do I have the following 3 correct?

1 - You need a Blu-Ray Player to play Blu-Ray discs.

2 - You need a DVD Player to play DVD's.
A DVD player will not play a Blu-Ray disc.

3 - A Blu-Ray player WILL play regular DVD's but will only upconvert it to 1080i.

Not having a 1080p resolution HD Tv, does it make any sense to purchase a Blu-Ray player?

Will a Blu-Ray player enhance the PQ of regular DVD's on my 720p tv?

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

---Jerry---

Jerry, I don't mean to be rude, but this is the HD DVD player section. You can ask and receive a much better answer re: Blu-Ray in the thread linked below. (Yes, a Blu-Ray player with a good upconverter, e.g. a Samsung 25xx or a Denon, will enhance the PQ of regular DVD's on your 720p display. Moreover, it will upconvert to 720p, 1080i or 1080p.)

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=969206

Allargon,

Thank you for the reply and the information, very much appreciated.

Sorry for my post in the incorrect section I should have been more observent of the forum title.

But in my defence:

My original draft, not the one posted was as follows:
FROM THIS THREAD, do I have the following 4 correct?

1 - You need a Blu-Ray Player to play Blu-Ray discs.
A Blu-Ray player will not play hd discs.

2 - You need a HD Player to play HD Discs.
A HD player will not play Blu-Ray Discs.

3 - You need a DVD Player to play DVD Discs.
A DVD player will not play HD Discs or Blue-Ray Discs.

4 - A HD Player and a Blu-Ray player will also play DVD Discs.

It seemed too long so I shortened it as follows:

FROM THIS THREAD, do I have the following 3 correct?

1 - You need a Blu-Ray Player to play Blu-Ray discs.

2 - You need a DVD Player to play DVD's.
A DVD player will not play a Blu-Ray disc.

3 - A Blu-Ray player WILL play regular DVD's but will only upconvert it to 1080i.

Maybe I shouldn't have shortened it?

In essence, all I was trying to do was to take the information provided IN THIS THREAD and confirm that I had it correct.

Again, thank you for the reply and the information.
---Jerry---

Your original item #2 of course is true. As far as #3, it's half true as you don't need a DVD player since HD and BD both play DVD. The second part is true.

Quentin2,

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, you are correct I should have said:
DVD Discs can be played on a DVD Player, a HD Player and a Blu-Ray Player.

I'm just trying to get some information together prior to purchase, obviously I have a ways to go.

Somewhat concerned about my 720p display and what to expect but allargon said "BR will enhance the PQ of regular DVD's on your 720p display", this makes me feel a lot better.

Appreciate the help.
---Jerry---

Well your 10 year old DVD player picked a good time to need replacement. It's a good time to buy a BD player as holiday prices are as low as $128 for a decent player that will do upconversion adequately. I would bone up on specs and look at Profile 2.0 and see if that's something you might want to pay 2x more for. If not, definitely look at the bottom feeders at Walmart and Best Buy as they'd likely satisfy until you get a new TV.

Quentin2,

Yes, good advise and will follow it.

Actually my DVD Player is fine, no problems except age like it's owner and the 720p Display TV will be around for some time.

My Yamaha 5.1 AV Receiver RX630 is also 10 years old, no HDMI but has Optical connection etc.

So this is what I am up against. For example, don't really want to buy and then find out that I needed component connections and I bought HDMI or vice versa.

I hesitate continuing this subject on this forum for fear of causing a problem as was previously noted.

In any event thanks again for your reply and the help you have offered, greatly appreciated.
---Jerry---

Ok, good luck with your decision. If your TV upconverts well enough for quasi 720p from your DVD player and you're happy with the sound from SPDIF and you don't want HD media just yet there is no reason to be in a hurry to upgrade your player and receiver. Then again, upconversion by your TV or new player may be better via HDMI. A cheap BD player isn't that expensive. I'm very happy with my HD DVD player as the full 1080p discs are incredible plus upconverted DVD is quite good.

Quentin2,

Sorry for the late reply but getting gifts ready to ship to my Granddaughters has taken some time.

You are correct in that I really am in no rush to upgrade my TV at this time but a new DVD player is possible soon.

Again, thanks for your help and the information.

---Jerry---