Higher Definition DVD Player Question?

I have a cheap DVD player but just got an HD TV and I hear that HD DVD players and HD DVDs aren't out yet but I seen some DVD players on sale that say they're higher definition. So what I'm asking is if I bought a better DVD player will it give me a higher resolution (more pixels, better picture) of my current DVDs then my cheap DVD player does now. I saw this DVD player here...
- EXTERNAL LINK -
and it says "NeuNeo HVD2085 High Definition DVD Player" and I keep hearing that HD DVD players aren't out yet and I saw this here...
- EXTERNAL LINK -
which kind of explained to me that this DVD player is not considered HD but is a higher res so again I'm just asking anybody who knows a lot about this stuff if I could buy a newer, better DVD player that's currently out now that will make non-HD DVDs look better (more pixels) on my HD TV?

I have the Denon 1910 HD-upconverting DVD player. It's not perfect, but for 200 bucks it looks really good. I connect via DVI cables. I'm not sure how the technology works, but it really is nice. Not quite HD quality but very nice.

they are upconversion dvd players meaning that they up scale 480 lines to 720p or 1080i. To do so you need DVI or HDMI cable. But still, the source (dvd) is 480 lines or resolution so depending on your tv, hook up, and player you may or may not see much difference. If you just bought an hdtv, do you know about progressive scan yet. If not, make sure you atleast utilize that cause going from 480i (standard or interlaced) to 480p (progessive) makes a big difference. you will need component cables in order to use progressive scan. there are many articles you can read about that if you just look up progressive scan. I know that best buy has an article on it so does amazon.com. Who knows. maybe your cheap dvd player already has progressive scan. If so, I would try that 1st before buying a new one. Just my opinion cause if you're interested in the upcoming hd-dvds, these upconversion players won't be compatible anyway.

Rage,

If you have an HD TV, the best thing you can do for better pictures while playing DVDs, is buy a DVD player with up-conversion. An HDMI interface is what I use, but make sure your TV has an input. I'm not sure what you need to utilize a DVI connection like Justin uses, but I assume the quality of picture is about the same.

Regardless which option you choose, you will definitely see an improvement in picture quality. Probably the best there is until it goes fully Hi-Def.

Dave

Are these "DVI" or "HDMI" the blue and green cables, most standard DVD players only have the red, yellow, and white cables but I've seen the newer ones also have blue and green. It sounds like "upconverting" DVD players is what I'm looking, basically breaking the pixels down even smaller even though it's not HD which is alright since they don't have those out yet.

"do you know about progressive scan yet" Nope, I know my TV goes up to 1080i if that was what you were wondering, I guess 1080i is it's highest setting... it also has a 540p setting.

"An HDMI interface is what I use, but make sure your TV has an input" Is that the blue and green cables that go along with the red, white, and yellow?

Thanks for you help guys, I'm new to all this HD stuff... just got the TV a little over a month ago.

HDMI (High Definition Media Interface) and DVI (Digital Video Interface) both output a digital, rather than an analogue, signal. Otherwise, when using component video inputs, the signal must be converted from analogue to digital in the TV, a process that is supposed to detract slightly from the overall clarity of the picture. And as far as I can see, the only difference between HDMI and DVI is that the HDMI cable carries a digital audio signal as well as digital video signal.

The scary part is that the studios are pushing HDMI because they want to use it to incorporate their HD protection schemes, which so far have frustrated a lot of hardware reviewers because it doesn't always seem to be compatible with every other piece of supposedly HDMI component. Apparently, there are a few kinks to be worked out yet.

John

Okay, I just looked at the back of my TV and saw a spot for the HDMI cable.

"A standard DVD outputs up to 480 lines of horizontal pixels, and that's all you're going to get."

Oh, I didn't know if "upconverting" changed that.

"However, if your TV is capable of reproducing up to 1080 lines, you can take advantage of that through various methods of line doubling (at the TV or at the player) and through the progressive scanning of the picture (at the player, if your TV will accept it), both or either of which will improve the picture quality."

"component, dvi, and hdmi will play progressive scan as long as your tv accepts it."

My TV does go up to 1080i, how do I know if my TV will except progressive scanning? It's a Toshiba 51" HD Projection, here's some links to it...

- EXTERNAL LINK -

- EXTERNAL LINK -

- EXTERNAL LINK -

- EXTERNAL LINK -

Didn't know if this would help and thanks for all of your help.

Rage,

These guys here said it best. I was recently introduced into the world of up-converting and HDMI when I purchased my HD-TV. The guys in Best Buy were quite helpful and told me it was a great way to maximize the use of such a TV when watching DVDs.

And yes, the HDMI looks like a smaller printer cable plug or something. It's not your average run of the mill red/white/yellow RCA jacks.

Good luck with everything and ENJOY!!!

-Dave

Rage420,
no. the blue,green,red cables are component. 3 cables for video. hdmi and dvi are single digital cables that look like cumputer jacks. hdmi carries audio and video meaning you don't need the other red and white for audio. dvi is just video.

here is a link that explains about progressive scan. copy/paste entire thing. it explains it in simple terms and gets its point accross.

- EXTERNAL LINK -

component, dvi, and hdmi will play progressive scan as long as your tv accepts it. dvi and hdmi will also work with upconverter dvd players but again, i don't know how much it will improve your picture. component cables and progressive scan are the cheapest way to get the best out of your new hdtv.

Sorry, Rage420, you can't break "the pixels down even smaller." A standard DVD outputs up to 480 lines of horizontal pixels, and that's all you're going to get.

However, if your TV is capable of reproducing up to 1080 lines, you can take advantage of that through various methods of line doubling (at the TV or at the player) and through the progressive scanning of the picture (at the player, if your TV will accept it), both or either of which will improve the picture quality.

Neither of these methods requires an HDMI or DVI output, but if your player has them and your TV accepts them, use one or the other. Otherwise, just be sure to use component video cables.

John

Rage420,

"component, dvi, and hdmi will play progressive scan as long as your tv accepts it."

it excepts it. some older tvs only had one component input that would playback either 480p or 1080i. LIKE MINE! This is a nice tv. you shouldn't have any problems.

I also have the 51" Toshiba RP CRT. I love this TV! The native resolution is 1080i, which I think a couple of people have already explained.

I am using the HDMI input from an HDMI compatible DVD player (also Toshiba). The DVD player upconverts DVDs from 480p to 1080i. The picture quality is amazing. Certainly not HD, but as close as you'll probably get before the real HD DVD players finally hit the market.

If you own Pirates of the Caribbean or Finding Nemo or any other THX DVD (Star Wars), run the THX Optimizer to calibrate your video settings. Almost all rear-projection TVs are delivered with their contrast and brightness settings set WAY too high. This is so the TVs look good on the showroom floor (flourescent lights), but it washes out the colors and it shortens the life of your TV. The THX Optimizer will take you through the calibration procedure and will ensure your settings are low enough to preserve the life of your TV and give you an excellent picture.

I recall reading a statistic that said something like 85% of the people who own HD TVs don't have them calibrated properly and are just looking at a bigger picture, not a better one (than their old TVs). Calibration is key.

Also, if you have surround sound, be sure to disable the speakers on the TV itself and run a seperate audio cable to your surround reciever (Digital Coax is the best). Using HDMI for video and Digital Coax for audio will give you a completely digital signal to your home theater. Bliss!

Wap

bravo! i new the subject of surround sound was gonna come in to play. IT"S A MUST! 60-70% of the dvd enjoying experience.;)

hi guys i would like to join in your debate about hd dvd--- i recently bought a samsung 43" rear projector, its native resolution is 1080i, but it only has a component input on the back of the set, i have seen the dvd player, earlier described by someone, it says it produces 1080i through component. is this the only player on the market or are there more to be found? i currently use a cheap dvd player with progressive scan picture not bad but striving for near hd if possible, please could someone assist me?

At the moment, no DVD player you can buy will play a pure 1080i signal because that's defined as "high definition," and HD hasn't been introduced to the market yet.

However, there are a number of DVD players that will upconvert (upscale) an ordinary 480-pixil signal to 720 or 1080 lines, but they do it by line doubling and other methods to fake a better (and usually better looking) signal to a television capable of reproducing a 1080 picture.

John

bryanp2509,
John is right. The 1080i is more simulated hd than anything else. But you have the same problem I have with my old 46" mitshubishi. NO HDMI OR DVI HOOK UPS!
The hdmi or dvi have hd copy protection allowing you to upconvert to 1080i. I'm sure those jerks have a reason for that but I don't know why. But bottom line, you can't upconvert copy protected dvds through component. News flash... all dvds have copy protection! I don't know if the above dvd player has found a way around this but not to my knowledge. i have an lg upconverter that looks great in progressive mode. I have yet to find out about the upconverter. But atleast I had already intended on getting a new and bigger tv when I bought it. maybe (hopefully) a projector.

Hey rage420,

what did you end up getting? how does it look? Just curious.

Thanks for all the input fellas, I was gone for a while and now I'm back.

(WapCaplet)
"run the THX Optimizer to calibrate your video settings"

What do I use to run this?

"Almost all rear-projection TVs are delivered with their contrast and brightness settings set WAY too high. This is so the TVs look good on the showroom floor (flourescent lights), but it washes out the colors and it shortens the life of your TV."

I toned my contrast way down, it was set at 100 and now it's at 50 or 55.

"I recall reading a statistic that said something like 85% of the people who own HD TVs don't have them calibrated properly and are just looking at a bigger picture, not a better one (than their old TVs). Calibration is key."

Any suggestions on how I should calibrate mine?

(indian)
"what did you end up getting? how does it look? Just curious."

Haven't gotten one yet, might not until Christmas if at all... might wait for the HD DVD players to come out but it depends on how expensive they'll be.

indian and john.
thanks for your replies, i havent yet decided what to do as regards to buying a dvd upscaler, i think i will find out a little bit moe about compatabilities i suppose if i could get a trial period to see how it looks or go to a store and get a demo that maybe the answer. also i will try the earlier suggestion of calibration first to see if i can improve the picture with progressive scan. thanks again and i will keep looking here for new info on this subject.

thx optimizer is a little program on some dvds. You can find them on dvds where it has the "thx" logo with thx optimizer underneath the logo. Then it's usually found in the options menu of the movie. it's pretty self explanitory and walks you through both audio & video calibrations. again, not all dvds have this option.

good luck and happy hunting on the dvd player.

Okay, I saw it on one of my older DVDs... never noticed those tests before but I went threw it and I pretty much had my picture set right except making it a little bit sharper and the speakers seemed to be in order although I don't have surround sound, just the normal TV speakers that are good enough for now.

LoL, at one point during the speaker test I was starting to get p*ssed off because I skipped threw the intro on one test that put each speaker in and out of phase and since I skipped over the intro I though my left speaker was jacked up and I was going back threw the wiring and plug-ins and couldn't figure it out but then repeated the test where I missed it saying that all speakers will go in and out a phase.

has anyone else been on to the neodigits site yet, there is a link at the bottom of this page, it boasts a lot of compatabilities . just wandering if anyone has tried or seen this in action? as i said earlier i have a 42" samsung rear projection tv with 1080i component input only. the tv says that it is hdtv at 1080i, does this mean that the tv upscales or does it need a signal at the source to be 1080i already, im getting a bit confused , hope someone out there can help.

The neodigits I hear has good products. I've seen the site too but already have my dvd player so I'm not going to find out about it 1st hand for a while. Also a little skeptical about ordering online. I typically shop online but buy in a local store.
Your tv will display 1080i so long as the source is 1080i or your dvd player upscales it. again that is a upconvertion so not too sure how much better than progressive scan. Also component hook up does not have hdcp(hi definition copy protection). this neaodigits player uses hdmi for it's hdcp. So without that the best you'll get out of it is progressive scan (480p).

Does this help?

I stand corrected. For those unlucky folks like myself who bought hdtvs atleast 4yrs ago that only have component cables, your luck may have changed. I don't know if this website will condone this post, but if you go to videohelp.com and do a search on your upconverting dvd player under hacks, you may find, what they call hack codes, that you can punch in with your remote that will bypass the hdcp. Once you've done this, you can upconvert any dvd you feel like only using component cables. It worked on my instantly and I have an LG upconverter. You have to follow instructions carefully and turn off both hdcp and macrovision. Oh yea. You might have to look at an earlier model that yours if pretty new. Just incase anybody else is interested.;)