1080p and 1080i - Compatible DVD players?

Question

I have selected a Panasonic TH42PZ80B 42" Plasma TV (Full HD 1080p).

I wanted to buy a compatible Panasonic home cinema kit that already included a DVD player that upscaled to 1080p. I wanted the player to cope with DivX and be multi-region but the cost is prohibitive so I am erring toward a Panasonic SC-PT460EB-K Home Cinema System (HCS) with the intention of adding another DVD player with the facilities I require at a later date.

For this, I am considering a Panasonic DVD-S511EB from digitaldirect.co.uk which has these features but it also says in the specification that it upscales to 1080i.

Is there any experts out there who can tell me if I am going along the right path?

Can I hook up the seperate DVD player to this HCS without difficulty?

Will there be a conflict between the TV which is 1080p and the DVD player which is 1080i upscaleable?

Answer 1

The 1080p HDTV will scale all incoming signals to 1080p. In other words whether you connect a 1080i/720p DVD player or a 1080p model the display will be 1080p. The only difference will be where the deinterlacing (translation of 1080i to 1080p) takes place .. in the DVD player or in the TV. The difference in results willlikely be minor, depending on the relative quality of the deinterlacer/scaler.

As to separate or built in DVD players ... you are always better to go with separates (generally quality is better, but possibly more important you maintain flexibility). The connection are pretty standard so there should be no problem connecting a separate DVD player. Just try to make sure you have HDMI inputs on the HT receiver since upscaling DVD player generally require HDMI.

In general, upscaling DVD players will give a slightly better picture than a normal progressive DVD player, but the quality of the result depends on the video processor in the player. Cheap player (those under $60, or 35 Pounds) will usually give poorer results than a bit more expensive upsacling players. A good choice -- if you can find it -- is a used Oppo player (Oppo make some of the best upscaling DVD players, but they are a bit expensive new).

Answer 2

I'm not sure about the DVD player being compatible with the home theater system. But I do know that if you have a 1080p TV, and a 1080i upscaling DVD player, all of your movies will be viewed in 1080i. Not much difference between the two besides the fact one is interlaced and the other is progressive. Progressive is just a bit better in terms of smoothness.