Upconverting DVD player

[sdicomp]

Would you all give me your opinions on upconverting DVD players? Specifically, which one is better, more bang for the buck, etc.............

[BattleZone]

DVD is standard-def. An upconverting DVD player may or may not up-convert the signal better than your TV (many older TVs had terrible converters), but the difference isn't going to be that dramatic. Some do a bit better than others, but the price differences are way too great to be justified anymore.

Any Blu-Ray player will up-convert DVDs, so I wouldn't recommend buying a DVD-only player these days; there really isn't much point. DVDs could never compare to Blu-Ray quality, given that the frames have about 1/6th of the data that Blu-Ray has. With Blu-Ray players as low as $150 and prices still dropping, DVD-only players just don't make sense.

[spartanstew]

I'll agree with IIP. Some upconverting DVD players are better than others (Oppo's are the cream of the crop under $500), but I'm not sure if it's worth it anymore. If you're willing to spend $200 - $300 on a player, wait around until you can get a good deal on a Blu Ray player. Then you'll have an upconverting DVD player AND be able to play Blu Ray.

Additionally, depending upon your display, it might do a better job of upconverting than any DVD player can.

[sdicomp]

I already have a Bluray player. There are some applications I have that I need an upconverting DVD player. Forget the bluray talk, just recommend a good, inexpensive upconverting DVD player, please!

[BattleZone]

What you may want to do, then, is look for an HD-DVD player. Toshiba put a high-end DVD up-conversion chipset in them that has gotten very good reveiws, and there are probably big bargains on the players. If you're looking for a new unit, you might again look at the Toshibas, as they market the upconversion as a major feature. Not sure what chipset is used for those (if they're the same as the HD-DVD players or not), but they are quite inexpensive these days.

[gwar28]

I have the Philips DV5992?? I bought from Costco for $50 and I like it. I have a 52" Samsung 650 and can tell a difference between the Upconverting DVD and my old player. I looked at the Sony they have but the Philips allows you to play movies/pics via thumbe drive.

Mark

[CCarncross]

Oppo makes about the highest rated one. I use my PS3, its a good upconverting player, AND a very good BD player for about $400. Oh and it plays games too.

[Steve Mehs]

I already have a Bluray player. There are some applications I have that I need an upconverting DVD player. Forget the bluray talk, just recommend a good, inexpensive upconverting DVD player, please!

Just curious what do you have that requires an upconverting DVD player as opposed to a BD Player?

[brant]

I have and recommend a phillips DVP-3960. I bought it at wal-mart for less than $30. It outputs @ 480i, 480p, 576p, 720p, 1080i.

the only standard DVD player reference i have is a sony PS2 set @ 16x9, connected with component video.

the phillips upconverting player looks superior to the PS2.

the DVP-3960 has HDMI out and digital coax audio output. I've haven't experienced any problems with it, and would highly recommend this player.

[oscartheclimber]

Research the machines carefully. I have a Phillips DVDR which will upconvert - but only if connected via HDMI. It doesn't support 1080i via component (DRM fears?). In fact it is basically a SD machine unless you have an available HDMI port. I believe Oppo will output 1080i via component, but they aren't cheap.

[spartanstew]

Research the machines carefully. I have a Phillips DVDR which will upconvert - but only if connected via HDMI. It doesn't support 1080i via component (DRM fears?). In fact it is basically a SD machine unless you have an available HDMI port. I believe Oppo will output 1080i via component, but they aren't cheap.

Due to copyright/DRM issues, most upconverting players disable the upconversion feature over component video if you are watching a copy protected DVD. There's only a few that will upconvert over component (Helios, for example) and I believe the Oppo's need to be hacked in order to do it.

[sdicomp]

What you may want to do, then, is look for an HD-DVD player. Toshiba put a high-end DVD up-conversion chipset in them that has gotten very good reveiws, and there are probably big bargains on the players. If you're looking for a new unit, you might again look at the Toshibas, as they market the upconversion as a major feature. Not sure what chipset is used for those (if they're the same as the HD-DVD players or not), but they are quite inexpensive these days.

Thanks battlezone, the hd-dvd player works quite nicely! hd-dvd movies are cheap too! LOTS of 'bang fot the buck'!!

[BattleZone]

Happy to help!