Upconvert DVD Players - Worth a try?

polkatese

I have a PE PRO-520HD with component only, no DVI/HDMI. I've been thinking of getting an upconvert player, just to see if I can delayed the obvious - upgrade to a DLP or something newer. Is any of those players (the one that can do upconvert over component) make a big difference in picture quality, on regular DVD (SD)?

thanks.

Sami

There are some that do and the upconversion does help. Most of them upconvert only through HDMI and some upconvert with component if there is no copy protection on the disc. If you can't find one for $100 or less my opinion would be to wait until HD players drop in price.

polkatese

Thanks, Sami. I just placed an order for the new Oppo 970HD, supposedly will upconvert over component (if there is no CSS). Really, what does it means? assuming that all commercial DVD are supposedly copy protected? it's $149+ some change. It plays SACD and DVD-A, for the price, it is supposedly better than PE 79avi. We'll see, I'll compare it to PE DV-37. I hope it is still a good upgrade from DV-37, considering it is a 4/5 years old player.

Sami

It means you have to make a copy of the disc which removes the protection, then it will upconvert. For a universal SACD/DVD-A player it's a great price if you have those discs or intent to buy any.

Nelson57

I wouldn't say the Oppo is better than the Pioneer 79AVi, but with a High Def display with HDMI connections, the upconverted Oppo through HDMI will be an improvement on the Pio DV-37.

polkatese

thanks gents! I'll post back once the Oppo get tested.

mantis

I don't know if it's going to beat out your Dv-37. That player in it's day was incredible. It's picture ability is awesome as well as it's audio ability. Ever try it with cd's?? Pretty good performance there.

Whens the last time you had your tv cleaned? The mirror over time gets dirty and needs to be cleaned for best performance. I suggest getting your tv serviced. They clean the mirror as well as the guns, recalibrate the tv as well.Worth the money instead of this DVD player your trying.

Pioneer Elite dvd players have the best video performance in my opnion year after year. I have spent countless demoing there players against the so called better player and Pioneer for some reason or another wins video performance.

Well good luck with this new player but I believe it's the wrong one for you.

Dan

polkatese

hey Dan, long time no chat. A buck fifty player against a grand of PE might? this is one comparo that I can afford to be a bit careless in spending the money. Beside, at the point where we are right now, I am just having fun. Imagine a bigger decision to make, BR vs. HD, and which display is the next time-proof state of the art for the next 5 years? I've been very happy with my PE-520HD, HDMI and DVI weren't invented back when I bought it. And it is still performing strong, no degradation of picture quality. DV-37 issue is down to layer change that becoming more and more noticeable. I don't know is it because I am psyche to upgrade it, or it has been there all along. I may be on a wild goose chase on this, or might be setting up myself to be dissapointed, but for a buck fifty? I think I can handle it.

Btw, any upgrade on the HT side lately for you? How is your new Dyn sub? you know that deep down you are a RELhooligan?

Nelson57

Mantis, I happen to agree with you on the performance of Pioneer Elite dvd players, which is why I own 4 generations of them. I bought the Oppo out of pure curiosity, and for the fun of this hobby. I wanted to see what a 149.00 player with these features could do. I have found it to be quite capable. Is it in the class of the Pioneer Elites? No! Especially the 59 & 79 AVi

I do not think Oppo is trying to compete with that class of player. I did however prefer the picture of the upconverted Oppo through HDMI over the Pioneer Elite 45A, through component. Thats just my opinion of course.

I think its a healthy approach Polkatese to "just having fun" purchasing a product thats at a price point that does not harm most budgets, while waiting out the more significant decisions of HD players. With the Oppo you should not expect 1,000.00 performance for 150.00, but I think you'll find that the performance to price ratio of the Oppo will not disappoint.

Looking forward to hearing your feedback after you get yours. Have fun!

Sami

Then again, that $150 helps in getting a HD player. While the upgrade/difference from DVD player to another is quite minimal, the jump to HD is a large one. Instead of taking a small step with $150, you could go for the HD-DVD player at $500, or wait a while and use that $150 for a HD player in the future.

If $150 is something you afford to spend in experimenting then certainly $500 isn't too bad for a sure grin on your face when you see HD disc format playing on your screen. It is that good, and well worth the money, regardless of its shortcomings. And it does a wonderful job at upconverting SD discs. If it was me, I'd skip the upconverting player and spend a little more to get HD.

jdhdiggs

I agree with your logic sami, but you got to remember that if he is like a good portion of us he has $1K or so of "Software" on the old format. Getting the most of your existing DVD's is a much different proposition from the new HD formats. I would take an established upconverting standard-def DVD player versus possible future performance that may be inferior for the standard def. For $150, that's a no brainer for what it looks like he's doing.

Sami

I don't think the Oppo does upconverting though via component (neither does the Toshiba HD-A1). You might have to look for a different player if there isn't firmware hack available.

http://www.hometheaterspot.com/htsthreads/tech-review.php?rev=99

(* Component output for CSS-encrypted DVD discs (almost all commercially pressed DVD discs) is limited to 480i/480p only.)