All these players are, are units that have an HDMI output that supposedly upconverts the 420 or what every resolution to 720 and 1080 correct?

Now is it actually worth it to do this is my question? What does the typical HDMI cable run and a nice player? And how much better would the picture actually be?

 

I bought one for around $100 without doing any research and found that my TV does a better job upconverting than the DVD player. I went ahead and kept it just cause it wasn't very expensive, and since I already bought an HDMI cable for it.

great place for cables is www.monoprice.com. I got my HDMI cable for around $20 IIRC.

 

Order an Oppo 971. It's the #1 rated upconversion DVD player on the market. It also comes with an HDMI cable, all for $199.

 

$199 thats cheappp, i wonder how long it'll last lol

 

Worth it, IMHO.

 

still need a dvi-hdmi for the oppo, but it's a good unit based on tons of reviews

 

I'd wait on the true HD-DVD or BlueRay, whichever wins out. Unless you spend the money on the Oppo or other, you'll likely find that your TV does a better job. Further, the Oppos (some) have macroblocking issues according to AVSforum. I think the better question is whether or not you would notice a difference - and I think the answer depends on how good your TV is at upconverting. I've found that my Panasonic 42PX60u does a pretty decent job with just an old basic Phillips 480p DVD player.

 

I, definitely, saw differences between the Samsung upconverting player and the ol' DVD player... and it was less than $100... I think Costco carries various brands (in store, NOT online), that are worth it... and are usually less than $100 and they usually comes with the HDMI cable that'll do the job... don't run out and buy one of them Monster Cables, I don't think they do anything better... and they are expensive as hell... usually cost as much or even more than the player itself... I think it's worth it for now... until the "HD" players come down in price...

 

hmm... i should check these out, cause i popped in a DVD into a regular DVD player and it looked horrible on our HDTV i was liek bah i dont feel like watching this anymore, would it look any better using component cables and set to progressive scan?

 

Yes, very likely would. I would definately try the progressive output through component.

 

yea thats what i was thinking but the POS sony DVD/VCR player we have, the DVD player doesnt work (the laser is busted or something), so i cant try out the component output and progressive scan only DVD player that i have with those is my Sony PS2

 

I had intended on buying an upconverting player when I got the Panny plasma, but I really have not been able to discern a need for it. Perhaps if I saw one, but I find the picture on 480p to be good. I'm not sure I've ever tried 480i, but I imagine it would degrade quality as it would bring another conversion into the picture (I believe the TV would have to convert to 480p, then go from there).

 

The Oppo comes with a DVI to HDMI cable. Check the website oppodigital.com.

 

if u think thats good, 1080 will blow u away... bluray is crazyyyyyy clear but not worth it at the moment IMO

 

well my 42" is only truly capable of 720p (actually, not sure its "truly" capable of that, but 1080i, 720p, they all look fantastic).