HD DVD / Older Mits HDTV/1080i max

Ethancf

Hey all,

It's been a while. So HD DVD is coming down in price. My 65" Mits has 480i/480p, and a max resolution of 1080i...yes I was an early adopter. I bought a component video switch that has 3 component video bays...in other words, out from 1080i port on Mits TV via component to the component video switch then one out to my DirecTV HDDVRPlus at 1080i resolution, one out to my XBox360 at 1080i resolution, and I have one more that I was thinking about filling with an HD DVD Player. My current DVD player is a Sony NS999ES (480p...sweet player though).

I don't have HDMI at all in my setup. Can HD DVD players do 1080i via component, or do you have to have an HDMI TV and are these players HDMI only, and is 1080p the only resolution to get high definition in DVD? Just want to know if I'm stuck with what I've got or can I spend MONEY and be dazzled with HDDVD at 1080i via component?

Cheers!

Sherardp

Yes you can go for the HD DVD player and you will still notice a huge difference even in 1080i. Being that you can run the player in 720p or 1080i to determine which setting looks the best on your display. I currently run my XA2 via 1080i until I get my new theater room done and 1080p projector in place. So you'll be fine running component with the HD DVD player, however you wont get upconversion of SD DVD via component, only via HDMI. So go ahead and go for the HD DVD and dont look back.

ViperZ

You will definitely notice a huge difference. Get XA1 - you will get 1080i through component, and true HD sound through analog outs to your receiver.

Ethancf

Thanks for the replys. So given my circumstance and limitations above, what are your favorite players/models? HD DVD or BluRay? I've been a Sony high end dvd guy since the S7000. Does Sony do a BluRay that will do component at 1080i? Do both players have setup options in the players that allow you to select your max resolution? Does 1080i look much worse than 1080p on an HDDVD or Blu Ray disc?

Thanks!

Sherardp

Sony has the BDP S1 which is very much on par with the ES line. Go for both and yes you can configure both players to output @ 1080i or 720p. As for HD DVD for an XA1 or XA2 since they will give you the analog connections you need to enjoy HD audio.

BIZILL

you'd be hard-pressed to notice a difference between 1080i and 1080p. i have a 5 year old 65" rptv as well. never seen a picture so beautiful before. kicks the **** out of hd cable and satellite. have yet to experience any pixelation. bandwidth is there. no probs. if you want to save yourself a component slot, then you could go with the xbox 360 hd dvd add-on and use your existing 360 connection. only thing, no up-conversion through component unless you rip the movie and strip it of any encryption. my tv has dvi so i use an hdmi/dvi adapter and all is well. (with my ps3)