New 1080p upconverting player ...

cheddar
cheddar Posts: 2,390
edited May 2007 in Electronics
...well it is for me!

They just released the new 1.80 firmware update for the ps3 and it's great for HT enthusiasts. Sony's been real good at adding functionality to the machine as it becomes available. In addition to adding support for video and audio streaming from a PC, they've finally unlocked the video scaler. Now the ps3 upscales dvds to full 1080p via hdmi with support for upscaling ps1 and ps2 games as well.

I recently bypassed all the internal scaling electronics of my HDTV to improve the 1080p display of my blu-ray disks. The downside has been that my HDTV will only accept 1080p signals unless I put the scaler back in the signal path. But I just got done watching the SD DVD version of batman begins and wow. It's a real noticeable improvement over my denon w/o upconversion. I know it isn't as good as the HD-DVD version, but it'll do until Warner releases the Blu-ray.

Upconversion is sweet...

Edit:

And here's another interesting setting that's been added to the movie menu...

1080p/24 Hz

...this update just keeps on giving...

...now if they would only include DTS-MA decoding for the next one...:)
Post edited by cheddar on
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Comments

  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited May 2007
    Interesting stuff,it would seem to be a great idea to purchase a PS3 just for it's video capabilities alone.
    May I ask what TV you have that allows you to bypass it's internal scaler.
    a 1080p LCD?
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • scottvamp
    scottvamp Posts: 3,277
    edited May 2007
    Just revamped the Home Theater and added the PS3 with the new firmware. Starting to test everything. Setting all to 720p and setting up the new audio options. Satellite is now analog, screw those DD digital drops in audio with the HD channels. Much more consistent sound with analog and many DSP's to choose from. FUN, FUN!
    So now i have the Sanyo Z4 on Projector duty, Panny on DVD, Modded Tosh on CD, PS3 multi-media, PS2, Wii and DTV Satellite. Thats alot of freaking wiring and power.:eek:

    UPDATE:
    My jaw has been on the ground for the last two hours. The PS3 has just blown my socks off. Watched a couple Blu-Ray scene's, HD trailers and SD DVD's (Cars) which looks almost HD already. I'm wireless internet and BlueTooth Remote for a rear component Theater is priceless. Playing MotorStorm right now. A new slice of HT heaven today. And pizza.......:D
    All i need now is a 1080p projector.:cool:
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  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited May 2007
    GV#27 wrote: »
    Interesting stuff,it would seem to be a great idea to purchase a PS3 just for it's video capabilities alone.
    May I ask what TV you have that allows you to bypass it's internal scaler.
    a 1080p LCD?

    LC-45GX6U

    I posted a more detailed description here:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49257

    I think all LCD TVs are basically computer monitors with all the electronic converter boards and tuners strapped on. Problem is that all this strapped on garbage that is necessary for converting all the different source signals we feed the panels usually ends up getting in the way of a quality 1080p native source. My 45" 1080p panel has all the conversion electronics in an outboard box connected to the panel by nothing more than a standard DVI cable. I got a converter plug for a few bucks and just connected it directly to my ps3 with great results.

    And Scott, if you toggle the ps3 info screen for cars, you'll find it has a bitrate that averages higher than super-bit sd dvds. It's almost always greater than 7 mbps. I think that's why it upconverts so nicely. Pixar and super-bit dvds look absolutely amazing. This update has really breathed new life into my dvd collection. After watching a blu-ray, it was almost painful to go back to SD. It always looked so soft and fuzzy. I don't feel like I have to replace old titles anymore. This update's going to save me money in the long run. I'm only looking for new releases in blu-ray now. They usually look the best anyways.
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited May 2007
    scottvamp wrote: »
    MotorStorm right now. A new slice of HT heaven today. And pizza.......:D
    All i need now is a 1080p projector.:cool:

    Would you like to use my JVC HD1 for a few hours?
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • scottvamp
    scottvamp Posts: 3,277
    edited May 2007
    Sherardp wrote: »
    Would you like to use my JVC HD1 for a few hours?
    Is that an HD-DVD player? I am invested in Blu-Ray for the time being......
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  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited May 2007
    scottvamp wrote: »
    Is that an HD-DVD player? I am invested in Blu-Ray for the time being......

    I believe that is JVC' new 1080p projector?
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  • scottvamp
    scottvamp Posts: 3,277
    edited May 2007
    MikeC78 wrote: »
    I believe that is JVC' new 1080p projector?
    I do a search and get a HD Camcorder. But if it is their new projector then yes Sherard send it on over.:D
    That new Epson for under $3000 looks good. New HT Mag has a 3 1080p reviews in it. I'm still loving the Z4.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited May 2007
    Thanks Cheddar for the reply,it sure is handy having the scaler electronics housed in a separate box.Even though it has only a 720P native resolution I wish the scaler in my panny Plasma was bypassable so that I could try an outboard unit .
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited May 2007
    GV#27 wrote: »
    Thanks Cheddar for the reply,it sure is handy having the scaler electronics housed in a separate box.Even though it has only a 720P native resolution I wish the scaler in my panny Plasma was bypassable so that I could try an outboard unit .

    Yep, I just lucked into it. I wanted an outboard box so I could route all my connections at my rack. And the sharp LCD was and still remains one of the only solutions of this type ever offered. They weren't very popular and they've stopped making outboard box designs now. Then I found out the outboard box couldn't do 1080p. Then I found out that PQ at 1080p is stellar if I just take the box out of the loop. Couldn't be happier with my 45" "computer monitor" lol. I was thinking about getting an outboard scaler like the VP30. But since most of broadcast TV is already HDTV in primetime and now all my DVDs will upconvert through my ps3, I think I'll just save the $1500 and start looking for a good HDMI pre/pro for purchase by Christmas. Unlocking lossless audio is my next project :D.
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  • polksda
    polksda Posts: 716
    edited May 2007
    That's the great thing about the PS3: the enhancements via software updates are virtually endless. It's great news for those hoping to use this for SD DVD upconversion.

    The upconversion is still not up to the same level as that of the Reon processor in the Toshiba XA2 or the Samsung BDP1200, but it's now a viable alternative for those who want to use the PS3 for both Blu-Ray and DVD. Owning an XA2, I never planned to use the PS3 for DVD, but it's welcome news no matter how you slice it.
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited May 2007
    Actually the model is JVC DLA HD1, do a search and you'll see its the hottest PJ on the market for under 10k. That epson is an aswesome deal for less than 3k, Grimster has it, you should get his take on it. The Sony Pearls can be had for less than 4k now if you want to upgrade and they throw a gorgeous picture, JVC just came in and took over though. They even compare its black levels to CRTs its just that good, with a 15000:1 ratio it sure as hell does. You'd have to see it to believe. Guess I should post up some pics,I will later on. One thing to note, the Sony and the JVC are huge in size, but for those price tags they better be and a whole lot more. JVCs are going for around 58oo-6200 bucks, I was able to get mine off the military base for 4500 plus a little extra coin for 2 yr replacement plan.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • scottvamp
    scottvamp Posts: 3,277
    edited May 2007
    I see, said the blind man. Got my Sanyo 5 years ago for $5000. Today its not worth the price of the bulb. Next is to unlock the lossless audio.
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  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited May 2007
    polksda wrote: »
    The upconversion is still not up to the same level as that of the Reon processor in the Toshiba XA2 or the Samsung BDP1200, but it's now a viable alternative for those who want to use the PS3 for both Blu-Ray and DVD. Owning an XA2, I never planned to use the PS3 for DVD, but it's welcome news no matter how you slice it.

    And let's not forget the other gem included in this update -- 1080p/24 for movie purists. Who needs 3:2 pulldown when you can view film in the 24 fps it was originally shot in?

    Anyone own one of the few displays on this list who can report on what this actually looks like? I'd love to take a 60" 1080p plasma for a spin myself. :D.

    http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=5155
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