"Upconverting" DVD Player

[Rockslinger]

Just bought this "upconverting" DVD player from The Source. It is kind of weird. Started by playing some JPEGS. When it does upconvert to 1080p, the pic looks very much like HD but it doesn't upconvert every pic and those that are not upconverted actually look worse than on a regular DVD player. Weird, eh?

 

[newguy27]

different models, brands, etc.

Upconverting usually refers to the video playback mode by the way so maybe the picture viewing ability is not as robust?
probably should stop shopping for that stuff at the SOurce.

 

[Rockslinger]

Upconverting usually refers to the video playback mode by the way so maybe the picture viewing ability is not as robust?

Played back a camcorder mini DV video that I downloaded on to a DVD and played the DVD on the "upconverting" DVD player. Didn't notice any difference in quality.

 

[newguy27]

like i said, different models, brands. Quality varies a lot. Some scaling processing chips just work better than others and it's limited by your tv as well, dont forget. Dont expect Bluray quality video from regular DVDs no matter what upconverter you have.

 

[Whosyodaddy]

Take it back. If you have a BluRay player, it automatically upconverts DVDs and should be able to deal with pictures too. If you don't have a BluRay player, the difference in price now between an upconverting DVD player and a BluRay player isn't much. I got that piece of advice from the sales rep at BestBuy ( not on commission ) when I went to buy an upconverting DVD player. He also told me my PS3 up converts DVDs.. and, according to the Tvs' display, dvds' come out in 1080p.. Newguy 27 is right about the upscaling... it's better than DVD quality, but it's not as good as a BluRay. Try dickin' with the settings to smooth it out a bit..

 

[Rockslinger]

Take it back. If you have a BluRay player, it automatically upconverts DVDs and should be able to deal with pictures too. If you don't have a BluRay player, the difference in price now between an upconverting DVD player and a BluRay player isn't much.

I bought this thing for $40. Isn't the cheapest Blu-Ray still north of $150? I love the way this thing upgrades most (not all) of my JPEGs, they truly look like 1080p.

 

[onthebottom]

I bought this thing for $40. Isn't the cheapest Blu-Ray still north of $150? I love the way this thing upgrades most (not all) of my JPEGs, they truly look like 1080p.

$40 is hard to beat but daddy is right, the blu ray players are getting cheap - I always suggest the PS3 because you can load your pics not he HD, it's a blu ray player, upconverts DVDs (and via software updates that capability continues to improve) and plays games....

OTB

 

[Rockslinger]

$40 is hard to beat

Thanks for the feedback guys. The DVD player was slightly over $45 with the taxes. (There is also a two year guarantee by The Source.) This is less than the price of 2 lapdances at HOL ($4 door fee, $10 beer, $10 VIP cover and $40 for the dancer). I think I'll keep the player and skip the 2 lapdances.

 

[newguy27]

I bought this thing for $40. Isn't the cheapest Blu-Ray still north of $150? I love the way this thing upgrades most (not all) of my JPEGs, they truly look like 1080p.

upscaling jpegs to 1080p or 1080i makes no difference since the picture isnt moving. The system can scan every other line on each pass or each line of resolution on each pass and you wont be able to tell.
You will probably get better consistency simply to hooik up your computer or laptop to the computer and select the exact resolution of your tv.

 

[Rockslinger]

You will probably get better consistency simply to hooik up your computer or laptop to the computer and select the exact resolution of your tv.

Do you mean hook up my computer to the HD TV and use the HD TV as the computer monitor? What cable do I use to make the connection?

 

[WoodPeckr]

It's very east to hook up a laptop to any TV to use your TV as a monitor.
All you need are two cables. An S-video cable for video and an audio cable that plugs into the laptop earphone port on one end and has two RCA jacks on the other end that plug into the TV. Both cables are cheap online.

 

[newguy27]

dont use S-video cable, resolution is not high enough.

Use the DVI or VGA ports on your video card to the DVI or HDMI inputs on your tv.