Upconverting DVD Player Options/Impressions - Page 15

Is it possible to add to this list what type of chip is used for upconversion. I know most are Faroudja, but it would be nice to know the others too.

The Zoran HDXtreme chipset is one that's used in the Samsung DVD-HD841 player as well as at least one model of Toshiba player, and others as well.

It has RGB analog outputs right on the chip. When I know more about those outputs, I'm modding my player to bring those outputs to the back panel, which Samsung did not see fit to do.

I may then offer a service to install that mod in any player that uses that chipset.

CJ

Bravo upscaling players use the Sigma Designs chip.

anyone have a samsung hd931? Having black level problems on inside and night scenes. Will be calling samsung to see if they have a fix. Anyone having the same issues?

theroys88,

The Samsung players (particulary the 931, 831,941) have a known issue of not being able to pass Black-than-Black. Which leads to the issues you are discribing. I believe the 931 is the oldest of the players and as far I have seen/heard they haven't put out a firmware fix and will likely be focusing on the newer players (which I still do not believe will get a fix IMO). Check out the hometheaterhifi site benchmark on DVD players: (following link is for Samsung players only (filtered)).
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-b...deInt=0&mpeg=0

And of course a ton of threads on the 931 and it's blacker than black issues which might have been in the forms archived threads by now. Best of luck with the player.

VERY BOGUS DEMO of Samsung HD850 Upconverting DVD at CES2005.

Samsung was touting the improvement of their latest upconverting DVD player by showing the "before" picture on one 42" PDP and the "after" picture on a seemingingly identical 42" PDP right next to it. Each was driven by an HD850, presumably Component Video on the left and DVI on the right, although this was not clearly marked in their description.

The PDP on the left had the contrast and brightness controls so out of whack I could barely make out the image. The PDP on the right was clearly better, but wasn't much different from any other DVD player display elsewhere at the convention.

I remarked to the Samsung rep at the display about how misleading this demo came across....not only blatant false adversising....but also how it appears to demonstrate deficiencies in the HD850's Component Video output. Why would anyone want to buy the HD850???

I remarked that I would be truly impressed if the demonstration had announced fixing the "Black Crush" problem that I and others have seen in the HD841/931 DVD players. But the rep did not know if this problem had been fixed in the HD850....and was visibly embarassed by the obviously bogus presentation.

It amazes me that in this day and age, in...what...the fifth generation of DVD players...that some companies could actually drop the ball on this issue and be putting out DVD players that don't pass blacker than black.

I have a Samsung HD841. I can still return it. And I might yet decide to do that.

My twin Pioneer DV525s do a fine job, but I wanted upscaling output. Turns I can't even get that out of the 841 without modding the player to bring the RGB outputs from the chipset to the back panel on separate connectors. (I don't have a DVI-D converter.)

CJ

The manufacturers could probably learn a lot by reading the AVS Forum. I suspect when people call into the "customer service" department of manufacturers that rarely does the correct message (or any message for that matter) get to the designers of these products or the technicians who repair these products.

from what i have read, none of these dvd players are perfect and a perfect one won't be out for a while.

Unfortunately, I am in the market for an upscaling dvd player now and have to make a choice. To add to this problem, my budget is somewhere between $200 -$300.

Can someone give me their safest bet on which dvd player I should purchase? I have a 42" HD Plasma, no HDMI input, just dvi.. views 480p/i,720p,1080i.

Your support is greatly appreciated.

I enjoy reading all of the posts on this website, especially the guy in displays who was complaining about the pixilation when standing 3ft away from his 42" plasma. funny stuff...

The Samsung HD841 player has a DVI-D output.

The competing Toshiba player does not. It has an HDMI connector.

The Samsung player seems to be pretty good, except for its black level issue.

CJ

i heard that you can use a HDMI to DVI connector in these types of situations... is this bad?

Can someone please say... "I would buy the XXXXXX DVD Player if I was you. I haven't had any terrible issues with mine."

Thanks!

I use a HDMI-DVI cable on my Sony 975. $13 shipped on ebay. works perfect.

and the sony 975 is in my pricerange also...

Word Wayne.

Not a truer and more insightful word spoken.

Hello all,

I have a Sony KV-34XBR910 television set with the DVI. The manual states:

"Can accomodate a copy-protected digital connection (HDCP*) to other devices...that have compatible interfaces."

Question,
does that mean that any input device that I connect to my tv via the DVI MUST have the HDCP on it? Do the DVD players that I am looking for that have a DVI have to have HDCP. I would like to purchase a DVD player that does not do HDCP.

Am I stuck?

Second question.... What is this "Black Crush" everyone is referring to?

Am now owner of Toshiba 5970. It is hooked up to my Toshiba 34hf84 direct view CRT. The PQ is breathtaking. Though it is hooked up via HDMI I cannot comment on up-conversion. I can only reiterate that the PQ is great w/ (at this point) no visible defects, macro-blocking, etc. CD audio is decent. Build quality not great. Remote not intuitive, but everything seems to work perfectly. Calibrating HDMI input went easily. Furthermore, I was able to free up my component cables and use them on my HD cable input instead of those crappy cables Adelphia used. Noticeable improvement on my HD! So far it seems like a win-win situation.

HDCP is just a standard -- I think you'll be hard pressed to find a newer TV or DVD player, etc. that doesn't support the copy protection. You have no worries...

Black crush is a lack of dark end details caused by nonlinear performance. Look at a test pattern with a grey scale on it. Every box in the pattern should have a different visible grey level to it. On a unit that has a black crush problem, the darkest grey boxes will appear to be black instead of dark grey. Some boxes will appear to be the same shade of black or grey, and that's wrong.

Some players just output the signal like that. Darned if I know why the manufacturers allow it, except that the mass market consumer probably wouldn't notice or care.

CJ

Thank you both very much!!!

2 meg download
test patterns

http://www.milori.com/download/files/ctestpat.exe

mallu2u,
Please add the Pioneer Elite 59avi Owners Thread to the first post here as the master thread for the 59avi. Rob was kind enough to finally start one. Thanks!
--Bob

Thanks Bob, I second the motion.

Alright guys,

I've just read through most of the pages here and I (and probably a lot of others) would appreciate quick summaries (flaws) on the following players currently on the market:

Samsung DVD-HD841: Black issues?

Sony DVP-NS975V: Build issues?

Bravo D2

Toshiba SD-5970

Denon DVD-1910

LG LGDVB418

Panasonic DVD-S97S

Thanks in advance...

I think you forgot the Oppo DV971H, Samsung HD 941, Toshiba SD v592!

Video is still pretty new to me and I may be wrong about this but I know that in the world of audio just as much a factor as the quality of the individual componnets is how they match up with other commponents. I just bought a Toshiba 5970. It is hooked up via HDMI to a Tosh 34hf84 direct view HDCRT. It performs flawlessly! "1080" is indistinguishable from real 1080. Perhaps it plays well, for example, with crts and bad with plasma, just a thought, But there is this thread and plenty others about upconverting DVD players. I might pay particular attention to what pwoplw who had my type of TV had to say about their players. I don't know if I'm right. Just a thought/I would also pay attention to how they are hooked up, HDMI, DVI, HDMI to DVI, etc.

Anyone heard or have one of this????
http://www.snazzishop.com/netdvd.asp
If you have one or any knowledge of it please post. I'm interested.
TIA

This may be an interesting player since according to specs it will upconvert
via component and DVI. I wonder what chip it is using?

"SnaZio* Net DVD Cinema is a key component of the new Digital Home Lifestyle Solution that will revolutionise your Digital Media Entertainment experience. With the help of the latest digital decoding technology, Net DVD Cinema delivers Audio Visual output of uncompromised quality up to 720p and 1080i HDTV resolution via the DVI and Component Video output suitable for Plasma display."

How about the Oppo?