Re: Upconversion - DVD vs TV - Results

JBDragon wrote:

"Jer" <gdunn@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:t-mdneIFLODqGNXVnZ2dnUVZ_gWdnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Richard Cranium wrote:
On Thu, 5 Jun 2008 18:06:26 -0500, "John Carrier" <jxc2@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

"Richard Cranium" <dufus@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:4848426b.976740750@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I finally got around to comparing upconversion via the TV (Sony XBR)
and DVD player (also Sony).

The setup was to view simultaneously (via P&P) the two outputs
(upconvert from DVD player via HMDI and upconversion by TV from
component input from another DVD player).

Results were there really was no discernable difference. Oh, I
thought that I saw more detail in the DVD upconverted image, but on
closer inspection, it was really too minor to be called a real
improvement. It was just an overall impression of slightly different
picture outputs, but neither one was significantly superior to the
other. Indeed, the only way I could say that there was any difference
at all was by viewing the two pictures side by side. Both were
excellent pictures. Incidentally, I used a couple of copies of Star
Wars VI - Return of the Jedi and had the two pictures synched
perfectly.
Interesting. But with P&P, both images must be sized to the allocated screen space, so do you REALLY get a valid comparison? I think the only way this issue (?) could be resolved is through the use of two identical systems, identically set up. Of course, few of us have the resources to compare two identical TV's equipped with two identical DVD players ... perhaps a magazine review could manage it?

I'm inclined to think that it matters not where the upconversion occurs, given quality gear.

R / John

I agree; both images were excellent. I sized the two images to be the
same, so the only difference I noticed was an overall slight
impression that there even was a small difference. It was due more to
a minor brightness/contrast difference that affected the overall
impression as opposed to any real picture quality difference. The XBR
showed the incoming component signal to be 1080i and the HDMI signal
to be 1080p. Both, naturally, were upconverted from the DVD which I
assume is 480p.


The Sony XBR is showing you the input signal format, and is displaying the images in it's native format, presumably 1080p. Like you, I've tried my best to do side-by-side comparisons for upconversion (with PnP), and the best I've done is switch between two separate inputs of the XBR, each at full screen glory. I'm using the Sony Bravia XBR 52" and a Sony BD-500 Bluray player - the difference between the two were inconsequential and impressive. Considering my existing DVD library, I wanted something that would deal with upconversions well, and I'm very pleased with the results.

Personally I think Up converting DVD players are a scam! You can't add to the picture what's not their to begin with. I think the whole reason for Up converting players was to get people to buy a NEW DVD player to replace the one they have that currently works just fine. To sell something to people buying HDTV's and want to watch their DVD's on it, and a supposedly Up converting DVD player would be the thing to buy. It's cheaper, they were out before HD DVD or Blu-Ray, they play movies you already own and again DVD's are cheaper. If your a DVD Manufacture, and want to sell a bunch of DVD players to a over saturated marketplace where DVD players are hell a cheap, what do you do? Personally I think it's Marketing B.S. Your HDTV is already Up converting that DVD to be displayed at it's Native Resolution anyway. It's a mute point. If it was as simple as Up converting to get a HD picture, their would be no need for HD DVD or Blu-Ray!





I apologize if I've confused anyone - I didn't mean to infer that an upconverted playback system was the same as a HD playback system - it's not, IMO.

That said, my first acquisition was a Sony Bravia XBR LCD TV for the bedroom, which upconverts 800+ DVD's in my library (via an old JVC player) and provides for HD OTA viewing. Subsequently, I acquired another Bravia XBR TV and a Sony BDP-S500 player (package deal) which offers Bluray and upconverted playback of the same 800+ DVD library.

Money shot: I didn't buy the player for upconverting DVD's - I was already doing that with the JVC player - I got it for Blu-ray DVD's. I really didn't care that it upconverts, but it does as well as the TV does. I don't feel scammed, I feel pleased, especially since I upgraded the BD player to a 1.1 profile for some of the newer BD disks.


--
jer
email reply - I am not a 'ten'
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Upconversion - DVD vs TV - Results
    ... and DVD player. ... (upconvert from DVD player via HMDI and upconversion by TV from ... I'm inclined to think that it matters not where the upconversion occurs, ... The Sony XBR is showing you the input signal format, and is displaying the images in it's native format, presumably 1080p. ...
    (alt.tv.tech.hdtv)
  • Re: Upconversion - DVD vs TV - Results
    ... and DVD player. ... (upconvert from DVD player via HMDI and upconversion by TV from ... I'm inclined to think that it matters not where the upconversion occurs, ... The Sony XBR is showing you the input signal format, ...
    (alt.tv.tech.hdtv)
  • Re: Apple sells 125,000 downloads worth $1 million in first week
    ... think was possible from a DVD player; ... because a DVD player can output 720p or 1080i? ... used for DVDs and HDTV not also be applied to an iPod's video? ... few TVs have this upconversion feature built-in. ...
    (comp.sys.mac.advocacy)
  • Re: OT: What do I have to do to play a Region 1 DVD?
    ... do I have to do to play a Region 1 DVD? ... But I doubt that it was a Sony DVD player. ...
    (uk.legal)
  • Re: Apple sells 125,000 downloads worth $1 million in first week
    ... think was possible from a DVD player; ... because a DVD player can output 720p or 1080i? ... used for DVDs and HDTV not also be applied to an iPod's video? ... Edwin insisted that only DVD players were doing this upconversion that ...
    (comp.sys.mac.advocacy)