[pmd918]

I am going to be helping my parents choose a new High-Def TV next weekend, probably an RP DLP or LCD.


My question is whether I should talk them into buying a new DVD player or not. I have read in places that the scaling and deinterlacing electronics in the TVs themselves have improved to the point that a progressive scan DVD player is no longer necessary. I have read comments by some that they actually think their old interlaced DVD players look better than progressive players on their new TVs.


My parents are not video freaks (like me) so it may be a tough sell to convince them to buy a new one. Right now they have an old multi-disc Toshiba player with component outputs that may do just fine.


If it really does make sense to buy a new one, what unit would be recommended, keeping in mind that they are not videophiles and would want to keep cost down.


I just want to make sure that they can take full advantage of their new TV.


Thanks,

Phil

 

[gtaylor74]

If they are not videophiles, I wouldn't think buying a progressive scan dvd player would be necessary. Any HDTV you buy will have a built in deinterlacer, and like you said, they have improved. I still think it's better to have the player do the deinterlacing rather than the TV, but seeing as how they are not videophiles, I would imagine the TV's deinterlacer will do just fine.

 

[AcuraCL]

Was it a fairly decent player to begin with?


I have a wonderful OLD Sony DVD player, interlaced only, that I still use with my RP-LCD. I'm pretty picky about my video quality, and I feel no need to "upgrade" to progressive. My next upgrade will be HD-DVD, when that format is nailed down and commercialized.

 

[BillP]

While it's probably not worth buying a new player just to go from interlaced to progressive, they will get a better picture going from interlaced to one of these new DVI or HDMI players that scale up to 720p or 1080i. You can get one for $200 (such as the Zenith DVB-318 for $200, or you can preorder the Samsung HD-841 on Amazon.com for $170, due to be available in about 1 month). Just make sure the new DLP or LCD has a DVI or HDMI input in the back to plug these players into.