DVD Upscalers!?

Question

I have a lot of DVDs and I have just got myself a 32inch sony HD TV. Is a DVD upscaler the best way to get the most out of my DVDs or is there a better way. They are just standard DVDs, not blu ray or anything like that.

If so, what is a good DVD upscaler. Thanks!

Answer 1

Your TV already has a built-in upscaler that takes any input, and upscales to its native resolution  (720p, 1080i, or 1080p.)

So, if you take your regular DVD player and connect it to your TV with component video, and then configure the DVD player's mode to 16:9, progressive scan, the TV will do an awfully good job by itself upscaling the picture.

The advantage of using a DVD player with an upscaler in it is that usually the upscaler chip in the DVD player is better than the one in your TV.  However, on a smaller set (<40") you probably won't notice a significant difference between a regular DVD player using your TV's upscaler, and an upscaling DVD player.

If I were you, I'd save my money, and just use my current DVD player.  Just be sure to get a component video cable for it, and configure the DVD player to output in 16:9 and progressive scan (also known as 480p)  This will give your TV the best possible picture before its upscaler goes to work.

If you are considering a blu-ray player, keep in mind that these can also upscale regular DVDs as well, so you might as well kill 2 birds with one stone.

Answer 2

I agree with get a HD DVD player but you'd be pretty lucky to find one in the stores right now (they're most likely indefinately sold out)

Get the Toshiba EP-10. I have that and I think it's a pretty awesome player (bar the fact that it can't output audio at more than 5.1)

Answer 3

DVD upscalers work really well and are a lot cheaper than blu-ray players which are still completely and ridiculously overpriced (thanks to their monopoly on HD now).

A 1080/24p upscale dvd will look better than a blu-ray player unless you have one of the better/expensive ones that converts all the way up to 1080/24p.

Answer 4

Get a HD-DVD player...

I know HD-DVD is dead but they are a cheap way to upscale normal DVDs.

They are being marketed as "Upscalers" now HD-DVD is no more.