Component to HDMI upscaler

Jimbo18

In one bedroom, I have an older Phillips 1080P HDTV. Connected to it, is a digital converter box but one that is not HD and does not have HDMI output.

I would like to try to upscale the component output to 720P or 1080P if possible but my receiver doesn't upscale so I have been researching component to HDMI upscaling switching boxes and there are a lot of them available online but the reviews on them are all mixed.

Does anyone know of any under say about $200 that work well? I know most people on here have AVR with upscaling built in but I am not ready to upgrade the Pioneer receiver yet. I also wondered if a DVD recorder with HDMI output would upscale the signal.

tonyb

Those switches usually degrade the signal in some fashion, hence the not so hot reviews. For 100 bucks more, you can find a nice Pioneer 21 vhx, with the upscaling, hdmi, and all the newer surround formats. Save your pennies and upgrade the receiver.

Jimbo18

Yeah, that's what I figured. I keep reading mixed reviews on the switches. I got the VSX 821K for about half price and couldn't pass it up. Never gave upscaling a thought at time. I suppose it would be better to sell it on CL and go with a better receiver.

tonyb

Atta boy, now your talking turkey. Good luck to you.

GregFilipozith

Jimbo18 wrote: »

Yeah, that's what I figured. I keep reading mixed reviews on the switches. I got the VSX 821K for about half price and couldn't pass it up. Never gave upscaling a thought at time. I suppose it would be better to sell it on CL and go with a better receiver.

You are absolutely right.If it comes for about half price then it couldn't be passed up.

Jimbo18

I paid $125 NiB for the Pioneer. Someone bought it and decided they wanted to go a different way even before they opened the box. I think it's a better receiver than I am using downstairs though, so I might try to sell the Yamaha and swap them out.

Any suggestions for a $300 reciever that does a decent job of upscaling? Doesn't have to have pre-outs because I really can't see me going that way in the bedroom.

pdxfj

You could check out http://www.accessories4less.com

They have an Onkyo 609 referb for just over $300. Onkyo started using the Marvell Qdeo chip with the x09 series of AVR's which is a very good 4k upscaling video chip.

There are other AVRs from Denon, Marantz, Sherwood, etc.

Jimbo18

Thanks pdxfj. I have been to that site after reading about it on this board several times. Wish I had known about it before I bought the Yamaha. I did research it before buying and liked what I read, but unfortuantely I wasn't educated enough in AVRs to make the best choice.

I think I will list the Yamaha on CL and if/when it sells, move the Pioneer downstairs where I don't need the upscaling anyway. I have a decent Sony STR DE845 I can use in the bedroom till I replace the Yamaha.