What's better? A standard DVD upconverted to 1080p on a $100 upconvert DVD player or a HD-DVD at 720p/1080i?

Question

What's better? A standard DVD upconverted to 1080p on a $100 upconvert DVD player or a HD-DVD at 720p/1080i?

My TV is a 65" 1080p Mitsubishi. I have a 1080p upconvert Samsung DVD player (DVD-1080p7). I'm thinking about getting the Toshiba HD-A3. The only thing that's holding me back is the fact that the HD-A3 is not a 1080p device. It's 720p/1080i.

Do the differences in image quality go beyond resolution?

Answer 1

It isn't clear to me what you intend to watch.

If DVDs, you won't see any appreciable difference between the samsung and the HD-A3.

If HD DVD disks on the HD-A3 at 1080i vs DVDs on the Samsung at 1080p any HD DVD disk will have more detail than a DVD (even upconverted). But if your TV deinterlaces properly (See link -- the only Mitsubishi 65" RPTV listed deinterlaced properly) you will actually be watching at 1080p (not 1080i/720p) ... which means you wouldn't need to go for the HD-A30 (1080p output).

In terms of other PQ factors than resolution, HD DVD disks use a broader colour space (BT709) than DVD so you should see some colour improvements too. Plus better sound from DD+, etc.

BUT ... disks are more expensive than DVDs and only a fraction of movies are available in HD yet.  Furthermore, HD DVD is losing to Blu-ray (about 70% of new HD movies will soon be Blu-ray only), so a Blu-ray player is -- arguably -- a better idea than HD DVD. BUT, Blu-ray players are still immature technology and much more expensive, so you have a bit of a dilemma.

Anyway, there are most of the considerations. Have fun deciding.

Me ... I'm using my HD-A2 as primarily an upscaling DVD player and occasionally to watch HD DVDs (those that cry out for better resolution (and that justify the premium price) ... surprisingly few in my view).

Answer 2

Yes.  HD has a lot more color depth per pixel, higher contrast ratio and several other modern features built in that we did not have in the 1940's when standard def became the norm.

(Did you know color was added on later?)

Get the HD-A3. It will up-convert standard DVD, but give you a true HD disk source for that TV.

Answer 3

Before you spend money on the HD-A3 check out the Oppohttp://reviews.cnet.com/video-players-an...

Answer 4

An HD DVD will always look better than a standard DVD upconverted.  This is because the HD DVD is rendered (not upconverted) to a higher resolution.  Secondly if you have a 1080p television, sending it a 1080i signal will output a 1080p signal.  Your TV will de-interlace the signal.  So you'll be okay getting an A3.

Answer 5

First off nice T.V. what time can I come over to watch the Super Bowl? Now to your Question, I'm gonna add to the answer above, I would hold off all together with the HD-DVD thing all together and go with Blu-Ray all the major movie companies such as Disney, Sony, WB, Touchtone, and more have singed on to Blu-Ray and in due time HD-DVD will fade out. It's like the Beta vs. VHS war back in the day. I have both and they both look great.