Upconverting DVD player for older system

Ethancf

Ok guys, here's a question...

I have an older Mits RPTV that has an available component connection that will do 1080i max. I currently have a Sony DVP NS999ES dvd player connected to it via Monster M1000 component cables. The setup is sweet, but I've been hearing about these upconverting dvd players that bump up to 720p/1080i. Is there that much of a difference compared to what I have? Do the black bars go away with that kind of upgrade? I don't have HDMI connections on my tv, so I'm limited to component...can I even use an upconverting player with component and get the benefit?

Any advice would be appreciated.

TheReaper

good news, bad news, maybe news:

Upconversion does not change the proportions of the movie, you will still get black bars on movies that aren't 16x9.

What upconversion does, is convert the 480i dvd format to 1080i or 720p format by adding more dots (pixels). How good the upconverting algorythm guesses at the dots, determines how good the result looks.

The bad news, due to css licensing restrictions, current upconverting dvd players retailed in the us, cannot output the upconversion (greater than 480p) of a copy protected dvd as an analog signal (component video is analog).

The maybe news, it is possible that upconverting players with their better video processing, that some may be better 480p players (this is just a guess). As an alternative, a pc with good enough hardware, can also do an upconversion, add in copy protection stripping software and you can output to component.