Dvd Player - Upscaling To Hd

[divinewrite]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone has any advice on finding a DVD player that does a good job of upscaling to HD, but doesn't cost the earth?

I have a $70 sansui, and it's crap. I have a modded xbox, and the XBMC software upscales very nicely, but unfortunately, the disc player hardware doesn't really like scratches or smudges.

I've recently been offered a display model Pioneer 490 for $100. But I don't know if it upscales well. Anyone heard anything about its upscaling abilities?

I've read that the OPPO OPDV971H (see http://oppodigital.com/products.asp) does a good job of upscaling. But this was written by the manufacturer, so I don't know whether to take that with a grain of salt? Any experience with this model? I've also read that it only upscales through the DVI output?

Cheers.

[50mxe20]

Is there something wrong with the search engine? Link

Or

Upscaling DVD player

SONY DVP-NS92V - UPSCALING DVD PLAYER

Philips Dvp 5965k Upscaling Hdmi Dvd Player

Quality DVD Player required - upscaling via Component...?

upscaling DVD player

LG Upscaling DVD player

Oppo 971 H Upscaling Dvd Player

Oppo 971 H Upscaling Dvd Player

Edit: Smiley face added (much later).

Edited March 28, 2007 by Lyle

[Guest JimboTHX1138]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone has any advice on finding a DVD player that does a good job of upscaling to HD, but doesn't cost the earth?

I have a $70 sansui, and it's crap. I have a modded xbox, and the XBMC software upscales very nicely, but unfortunately, the disc player hardware doesn't really like scratches or smudges.

I've recently been offered a display model Pioneer 490 for $100. But I don't know if it upscales well. Anyone heard anything about its upscaling abilities?

I've read that the OPPO OPDV971H (see http://oppodigital.com/products.asp) does a good job of upscaling. But this was written by the manufacturer, so I don't know whether to take that with a grain of salt? Any experience with this model? I've also read that it only upscales through the DVI output?

Cheers.

Stay away from the Pioneer 490 it is bad news. It is really only an NTSC player, it handles PAL material very poorly to say the least. It has no film-mode for PAL DVDs which results in really bad jaggies, which isn't what you want in a progressive scan player.

I have a Sony DVPNS76H which will cost you between $160 - $200. It's performance is excellent for the price, i used it to replace my Panasonic S97 which contained the Faroudja chip and cost me $500. That's how good the Sony is. Highly recommended.

[Mining Man]

QED

That's about all anyone could say Lyle. Pure brilliance.

[divinewrite]

I have a Sony DVPNS76H which will cost you between $160 - $200. It's performance is excellent for the price, i used it to replace my Panasonic S97 which contained the Faroudja chip and cost me $500. That's how good the Sony is. Highly recommended.

Thanks JimboTHX1138. What TV are you playing it through? Does the SD come through ok? Not blotchy or stripey or granular?

Cheers.

[Guest JimboTHX1138]

Thanks JimboTHX1138. What TV are you playing it through? Does the SD come through ok? Not blotchy or stripey or granular?

Cheers.

I'm using on a Panasonic plasma, the pv60a. It looks great, the picture is not as noisy as some other players i've seen, it's an allround performer.

[Herbernator]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone has any advice on finding a DVD player that does a good job of upscaling to HD, but doesn't cost the earth?

I bought a sony DVPNS76H about a month ago

It is a good machine.... Does everything I ask it.

I have it connected via HDMI to a 50inch pana plasma and it makes a good pic.

Just don't expect a night and day difference between upscaling and not. I would say the difference would be %5-10 better pic. Sometimes I still find it difficult to see the difference between component and HDMI upscaling.

Just my 2cents....

Herbernator.

[Guest JimboTHX1138]

I posted this in the Sony DVPNS76H thread, but here is the Secrets Benchmark test results for this player.

http:\\www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=133

[divinewrite]

Thanks everyone for your help. I've just bought the Sony DVPNS76H as recommended by JimboTHX1138. Just about to head out to the lounge room and set it up. Fingers crossed!

Cheers and thanks again.

[aztec]

QED

That's about all anyone could say Lyle. Pure brilliance.

Why search when Lyle will do it for you

[50mxe20]

Why search when Lyle will do it for you

Hmmmm.

Setting a bad precedence I suspect.

Edit: Smiley face added

Edited March 28, 2007 by Lyle

[divinewrite]

Responses like this will give this forum a bad name. I'd explain, but from the tone of your responses, I suspect I'd be wasting my time. And FYI, I believe the information that helped me most came from a direct response to this thread.

[50mxe20]

Responses like this will give this forum a bad name. I'd explain, but from the tone of your responses, I suspect I'd be wasting my time. And FYI, I believe the information that helped me most came from a direct response to this thread.

Did I forget the smiley face. There you go.

I thought I was being helpful. How is this not helpful?

Is there something wrong with the search engine? Link

Or

Upscaling DVD player

SONY DVP-NS92V - UPSCALING DVD PLAYER

Philips Dvp 5965k Upscaling Hdmi Dvd Player

Quality DVD Player required - upscaling via Component...?

upscaling DVD player

LG Upscaling DVD player

Oppo 971 H Upscaling Dvd Player

Oppo 971 H Upscaling Dvd Player

[Mining Man]

Responses like this will give this forum a bad name. I'd explain, but from the tone of your responses, I suspect I'd be wasting my time ...

~

Humour me.

~

... And FYI, I believe the information that helped me most came from a direct response to this thread.

And FYI, the same information was already in half of those threads that Lyle so graciously found for you. You talk about wasting time like it's your most precious commodity. To think that you could have found what you were looking for with a simple search, rather than having to start a whole new thread and wait for someone to come along and spoon feed you.

Yep. It's blokes like Lyle that will give this forum a bad name.

Ingrate.

[divinewrite]

Ok, I'll humour you.

1. I'm a father of two and a business owner. So, yes, time is just about my most precious commodity.
   
2. That said, it wasn't because I was trying to save time that I failed to search the forum properly. It was because I was searching so many places at once, that I kinda got muddled up. I'm a member of quite a few forums, and I always make a real effort to search first. On this occasion, I simply made a mistake.
   
3. I didn't once say that Lyle was unhelpful. In fact, I stated my thanks to everyone - including Lyle - at least once.
   
4. I didn't like Lyle's tone. If you don't think that his tone was inappropriate, then I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. I suppose the one thing we could all take away from this is how easy it is to misinterpret people in a forum.
   
5. I disliked your tone in the beginning to, MiningMan, and now - having been abused - I like it even less. I find it hard to see how you could call me an ingrate, given the fact that I voiced my thanks. I find it even harder to understand why you feel the need to abuse people on a forum.
   
6. All up, I suppose I most disagreed with the fact that you guys both jumped down my throat without any thought as to whether I might have valid reasons, or may have just made a mistake. God forbid anyone does that!
   
7. So yes, I do feel it's guys like you that will give this forum a bad name.
   

In summary, I'm very thankful to everyone who helped. Nonetheless, I didn't like the tone, I didn't like the motivation behind that tone, and I found the most useful information in JimboTHX1138's response to my question in THIS thread (despite the fact that this information may have been buried in the 'reams' of posts elsewhere).

I've already wasted enough time explaining myself. If you're not happy with my explanation, or you simply want to argue, I'm done with it, so you'll have to take it up with someone else. I'm here to learn and (in rare cases) help. The only reason I've even gone into as much detail as I have here is because I do find this forum and its members extremely useful, and I feel compelled to explain. In any event, people will make their own decision.

Regards.

[Fusion1503560145]

Is there something wrong with asking a question on a forum?

Or does it become copyright after the first person has asked it, and not allowed to be asked again........

Searching through the many pages of some of the threads can be pretty time consuming if you are in a hurry and still may not exactly answer the question being asked.

Hey - if people don't like answering questions already covered by other threads, nobody is forcing them to respond to the post.

Fusion

[Mining Man]

Ok, I'll humour you.

1. I'm a father of two and a business owner. So, yes, time is just about my most precious commodity.

~

Except for the two kids, naturally. (although in this case, commodity is a fairly crude and inappropriate term...)

2. That said, it wasn't because I was trying to save time that I failed to search the forum properly. It was because I was searching so many places at once, that I kinda got muddled up. I'm a member of quite a few forums, and I always make a real effort to search first. On this occasion, I simply made a mistake.

~

Your mistake wasn't failing to search, and it's certainly no great faux pas anyway. But suggesting that a bloke like Lyle could give the forum a bad name, let alone take issue with his tone, is the mistake in my eyes.

~

3. I didn't once say that Lyle was unhelpful. In fact, I stated my thanks to everyone - including Lyle - at least once.

4. I didn't like Lyle's tone. If you don't think that his tone was inappropriate, then I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. I suppose the one thing we could all take away from this is how easy it is to misinterpret people in a forum.

5. I disliked your tone in the beginning to, MiningMan, and now - having been abused - I like it even less. I find it hard to see how you could call me an ingrate, given the fact that I voiced my thanks. I find it even harder to understand why you feel the need to abuse people on a forum.

6. All up, I suppose I most disagreed with the fact that you guys both jumped down my throat without any thought as to whether I might have valid reasons, or may have just made a mistake. God forbid anyone does that!

7. So yes, I do feel it's guys like you that will give this forum a bad name.

~

Abused? Jumped down your throat? Hang on a second. You asked a question (or two). Lyle provided possibly as comprehensive a list as anyone could. I congratulated him that an answer couldn't be anymore complete. You chose to interpret that in a particular way. So be it. But don't think you can possibly suggest that a bloke like Lyle gives this forum a bad name, and not have his mates take issue with that.

I don't expect a response, and don't believe one is necessary either. But just as others will read your post and come to their own conclusions, they should also check out Lyle's post history. His reputation for helping people in here will no doubt be the over-riding impression from all this.

Cheers,

Aaron.

[Anton-P.]

I also had been jumped on before for asking a question that needed a simple yes/no answer.

On that occasion to search I'd have had to wade thru pages and pages of matches (plus weed out the many off-topic posts in between too).

My feeling is if the matter requires explanation/elaboration then the asking person should search first. On the other hand the forum should have room to accommodate occasional old questions that don't require much to answer.

[divinewrite]

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update on the Sony DVP-NS76H upscaling DVD player. I've watched a few movies (well, the kids have: Ice Age 2, Over the Hedge, Cars), and I have to say, the Sony's doing a great job so far. I wouldn't say it's perfect, but what can you expect for $199?!

The colour is more vibrant, and the pic is clearer & crisper. I've only noticed one problem, and that was in Ice Age 2 (where the vultures are singing 'Food, Glorious Food'). A couple of times, I've noticed some disjointed bits. I'm not sure of the terminology. It's not what I'd call 'jaggies', more like a series of parallel short lines. Only very small, and doesn't take up the whole screen or anything - just on a very small part of it.

Other than that, no problems whatsoever.

I've tried it on both 720p & 1080i and not entirely convinced I can see any difference. I THINK 1080i is a bit better (i.e. the problem described above was a little less prominent, I think), but it could just be my imagination.

Note, I didn't put this in the Reviews forum, 'cos I don't think it constitutes a proper review (esp as I don't know the proper terminology for anything!). Sorry if that was the wrong choice.

Cheers.

[50mxe20]

I also had been jumped on before for asking a question that needed a simple yes/no answer.

On that occasion to search I'd have had to wade thru pages and pages of matches (plus weed out the many off-topic posts in between too).

My feeling is if the matter requires explanation/elaboration then the asking person should search first. On the other hand the forum should have room to accommodate occasional old questions that don't require much to answer.

Yes.

[50mxe20]

I didn't like Lyle's tone.

Just a light hearted attempt at humour. No offence meant. Chill. Smiley's added in the appropriate places.

Read Point 19 of the Forum Etiquette thread.

[Guest JimboTHX1138]

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update on the Sony DVP-NS76H upscaling DVD player. I've watched a few movies (well, the kids have: Ice Age 2, Over the Hedge, Cars), and I have to say, the Sony's doing a great job so far. I wouldn't say it's perfect, but what can you expect for $199?!

The colour is more vibrant, and the pic is clearer & crisper. I've only noticed one problem, and that was in Ice Age 2 (where the vultures are singing 'Food, Glorious Food'). A couple of times, I've noticed some disjointed bits. I'm not sure of the terminology. It's not what I'd call 'jaggies', more like a series of parallel short lines. Only very small, and doesn't take up the whole screen or anything - just on a very small part of it.

Other than that, no problems whatsoever.

I've tried it on both 720p & 1080i and not entirely convinced I can see any difference. I THINK 1080i is a bit better (i.e. the problem described above was a little less prominent, I think), but it could just be my imagination.

Note, I didn't put this in the Reviews forum, 'cos I don't think it constitutes a proper review (esp as I don't know the proper terminology for anything!). Sorry if that was the wrong choice.

Cheers.

I wouldn't say there was a huge improvement with upscaling but IMO the benefits are most noticeable on really bad, noisey DVDs, you seem to get a slightly cleaner picture. The de-interlacing is so good on this player that any problems you see in the picture are more than likely inherent in the DVD.

[50mxe20]

I wouldn't say there was a huge improvement with upscaling but IMO the benefits are most noticeable on really bad, noisey DVDs, you seem to get a slightly cleaner picture. The de-interlacing is so good on this player that any problems you see in the picture are more than likely inherent in the DVD.

Also some plasmas do a pretty reasonable job in their own right. It might pay to check this out before paying big dollars for an upscaling DVD player.

[divinewrite]

I wouldn't say there was a huge improvement with upscaling but IMO the benefits are most noticeable on really bad, noisey DVDs, you seem to get a slightly cleaner picture. The de-interlacing is so good on this player that any problems you see in the picture are more than likely inherent in the DVD.

I'd definitely say there's a huge improvement. Although that may be more a reflection of the poor upscaling of my LG display than anything else. When watching DVDs with my old $70 Sansui, faces in the dark literally swam all over the place. It was like there was a serious time-lag. The overall shape of the face and some of its features would move to the left then back to the right again, and the nose and mid-forehead would follow shortly thereafter. Additionally, everyone in dark scenes seemed to have discoloured (olive coloured) 3-day growths, even the women!

Upscaling (both with my modded xbox and with the Sony) have eliminated all of this.

Cheers.

[50mxe20]

Well I bought the Panasonic S-97 and I commented in the threads listed. They are getting a bit hard to find these days but you never know your luck. Bangs for buck, a very good upscaling DVD player.