Pfeff Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Also being an owner of the same TV, i too am interested in both your thoughts on upscaling players...Is it really that much better ? Currently using a Sony DVPNC66K which does progressive but no scaling....and had planned on not purchasing anything until i go High Def of some type.... Because of getting off topic on the 696 thread, but since you asked I thought others might have some input... Naturally, I haven't seen the picture your NC66K delivers so I can only compare my two players. Well, I was sceptical at first. In fact, in the showroom, I wasn't convinced until the salesman put in a decent DVD. They were playing an analog recorded DVD of an old Eagles interview/concert in 4:3 at first. They guy swapped it between the setups they had and I couldn't perceive any difference. Then he put in an animated feature (can't remember what) and I could definately see an immediate improvement. Didn't buy straightaway and did a bit more research. But there were some good comments on the Sony here and there so I took the plunge after watching segments from Lord of the Rings that night on my Pio DVR and feeling disappointed with the pixelly blocky playback even at 576p. Well, what a difference. It's not Blu-Ray, but it is not that far off on the 1366x768 40V playing at 720p. I think the interlacing of 1080i is offset by the progressive scan on my TV at 720p. At least that's what i think. I set the TV to zero noise reduction and the clarity viewing from 3+ metres that I sit, was stunning right out of the box. Fine detail like hair is much sharper as are distant objects (where in focus). This is using HDMI compared to component. I know there are views on the two systems, but I can't get anywhere near as good a picture from component as the two Sony's HDMI in/out give. And it's not limited to retail DVD's. My DVD-R's recorded in the Pio are superior played back in the Sony. Not as good, but definately better. If your Sony is good then it may be good enough, but I was definately disappointed with the Pio DVR's playbeack since retiring the old Pany CRT. There is little way I would have bought had I not got the DVD so reasonably (see above), but at $190 ($229RRP), I could justify it. I think it was going to be too long for me to wait for HDDVD to get down to my (justifiable) budget, especially as we still don't know which format is going to win out. Besides does BR do anything but upscale my existing DVD collection just like the Sony does at 1/8th the price? That's my take. Are you happy with your 40V? My only hang up is the discrete HDMI we've discussed elsewhere. I can't fault the response time. Watching tennis and cricket the past forthight has been great with no sign of blur or picture break up. Just a little pixelly when there is a very busy background, like a crowd shot from low down following a ball to the boundary, but still very watchable. And as for the HD tuner. If the program is good... Watched Justice last night and the picture was sensational. If FTA had more HD like that, or better if Foxtel's SD wasn't soooo bad, I'd be stuck in the lounge chair too much. Interested how you've found your time with the 40V too... Pfeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gutty Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Are you happy with your 40V? My only hang up is the discrete HDMI we've discussed elsewhere. I can't fault the response time. Watching tennis and cricket the past forthight has been great with no sign of blur or picture break up. Just a little pixelly when there is a very busy background, like a crowd shot from low down following a ball to the boundary, but still very watchable.And as for the HD tuner. If the program is good... Watched Justice last night and the picture was sensational. If FTA had more HD like that, or better if Foxtel's SD wasn't soooo bad, I'd be stuck in the lounge chair too much. Interested how you've found your time with the 40V too... Pfeff Love my new 40V !! Mind you, i stepped up from a ten year old 59cm Trinitron. Really need to pull my finger out and go find a list of "good" HD FTA programs.... My current player goes alright i guess, but then i've never compared it to anything else(other players in my house are also sony non upscaling), i just assumed the scaler in the TV would do just as good a job as that of most players. But thinking about it, if i can improve the PQ for $200-300 i'd be mad not to right ? On the other hand, will i be ditching it in 12 months time when i go HD and will the new HD players scale SD any good ? Ahhh, think i'm just gonna go spend my money on a dedicated CD player... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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