An Upscaling DVD Player or an HD Player?

[AVTechMan]

My current TV is giving me issues (28" Sanyo Widescreen set) and I am ready for a replacement, and may consider getting probably a 46" with 720p/1080i support. I really see no justification to bother with a 1080p set until prices come to more of my liking and the difference probably isn't all that significant anyway.

So that leaves me this question. Should I consider getting an upconverting DVD player (the Philips DVP5982 is one I was considering) so at least I can enjoy all of my SD based movies in better quality beyond 480p or get an HD-based player like the Toshiba A2-HD-DVD. Blu-ray is out of the question for now price-wise.

I think its too much a headache trying to decide what works best and reading thousands of posts regarding quality and sound. While I do have an eye for PQ, sometimes it gets to be too much when trying to shop for something that works.

Since my budget is kinda tight right now (working on starting up a business soon among other things) I am thinking of probably getting an upscaling DVD player and a widescreen set that can support up to 1080i.

In watching the LOTR trilogy in 480p via component last month for Thanksgiving, even though its the lowest end in PQ it was quite good for the setup I have, so I think watching this on an upscaling player via HDMI to the set will make it look even better. At least this way I can ride out the storm with the ongoing format war and watch you guys that have the $$$$$$$ to spend on the new players as I sit on the fence to wait on the prices to be more reasonable.

And, I am pretty sure that watching the Matrix movies on an upscaling unit will look quite good as well.

The only thing I really want for Xmas is a bigger screen TV set, around 46" and a DVD player upgrade, and that will do it for me. I don't buy very much for myself and I don't fall in the "spend till you drop" craze during the holidays.

So, is there anyone here that use an upscaling DVD player in your HT setup, and if so how's the quality? Or am I alone on this?

[JMCIII]

OK, if you decide to go the upsampling route alone, look into the Oppo players. Cheap, well made, and do a very (very) good job of upsapling regular DVD's.

BUT, should you decide to go the HD route, the A2 or A3 will offer the same excellent upsampling PLUS the option of going HD-DVD in the future should you so desire. And once seen - especially on a 1080p set - a HD picture is going to be hard to stop watching. I found a big difference between upsampled DVD and HD-DVD on my A2.

[SamS]

46" set is a good size, but I'd recommend going with a 1080p model. Prices have fallen, and 46" 1080p models are in the $1500 range.

And for the DVD player... might as well pick up a Toshiba HD-A3 for $199. Only a hundred or so more than an upscaling model. Like noted above, you'll definitely see a difference between HD DVD and upscaled DVD on a 46" set.

I have several upscaling players, but there's a lot more important things going on that just the maximum output of a player, i.e. 480p vs 720p/1080i. Deinterlacing, video output levels, etc. Oppo is a safe bet all around.

[kurtphyre]

Please make sure your new set is 1080p. Go with the HD player too. At this time it would be silly not too.

[proufo]

You might want to take a look at the Samsung BD-P1200. Includes HQV, the top upconverting technology and is also a Blu-ray player.

Discontinued, but reportedly still available at around US$299.

[jstraw]

Is there any universal that does Blu-Ray and HD-DVD?

[JohnG]

LG made one but it wasn't worth the price (over $1K). Some better progress on that front should arrive next year.

[JMCIII]

"As all NY Jet fans are well aware, there is a ritual to watching the Jets. First, take a swig of Mylanta, follow by popping a Tums and then finish off with some Imodium chaser."

Especially this weekend.

[Taurus]

.

[SamS]

Is there any universal that does Blu-Ray and HD-DVD?

Yes, LG has a new model for $799, but the audio capabilities are limited. Samsung has a model available any day now for the same price which should be better on all fronts.

$800 is still a bit pricey for a combo player at this point. There's still a few kinks to be ironed out, especially on the Blu-ray side, that will make these new combo players possibly a bit outdated in the near future.

[AVTechMan]

Went ahead and ordered the Toshiba A30 which has the 1080p output option and cashing in on the free movies deal. Course I had to get the Matrix Trilogy on HD-DVD also (not the ultimate collection, just the complete one), and with the Super Saver shipping turned out to be a really great deal.

Now to work on the TV.....:)

[AVTechMan]

Ok, here is what I plan to go with for my first big screen:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Bravia-KDF-50E3000-1080p-Projection/dp/B000SSRC46

Looks perfect for my needs and it supports 1080p. And I may get this from a guy locally on CL that has this same set the from what he says is a month old, and is selling it for $1K. So if it all checks out I am gonna have a blast this Christmas.

And I deserve it, I work hard all year so I am entitled to treat myself at least once a year! :D

[SamS]

Ok, here is what I plan to go with for my first big screen:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Bravia-KDF-50E3000-1080p-Projection/dp/B000SSRC46

Looks perfect for my needs and it supports 1080p. And I may get this from a guy locally on CL that has this same set the from what he says is a month old, and is selling it for $1K. So if it all checks out I am gonna have a blast this Christmas.

And I deserve it, I work hard all year so I am entitled to treat myself at least once a year! :D

I am sure that one would give you a fine picture. However, I'd caution you against buying such an item from Craigslist. Even if the TV sale is legit, you'd have no warranty. Why would a guy be selling a month old big screen anyways?

Check a local place like Frys or Conn's. You can probably get it for the same price as the guy selling it on craigslist.

[filper]

Check out a 40GB Playstation 3.

It does it all and upsamples CD's as well.

A great all-around piece of gear for $400.

I hear you can play games on it too. :)

[AVTechMan]

I am sure that one would give you a fine picture. However, I'd caution you against buying such an item from Craigslist. Even if the TV sale is legit, you'd have no warranty. Why would a guy be selling a month old big screen anyways?

Check a local place like Frys or Conn's. You can probably get it for the same price as the guy selling it on craigslist.

Good point. Though I have done many successful transactions via CL, I've decided to go to Best Buy to check on one and get it there, so at least then I would have a warranty. For such a large purchase I plan to make sure to get it right.

[audiolab1]

The Toshiba A3 can be picked up for a very good price.
It will cover you for both HDDVD and upscaling.
I picked one up for $170 during a Black Friday sale and it has made ALL my DVDs look better!

[leopoldstotch]

Good point. Though I have done many successful transactions via CL, I've decided to go to Best Buy to check on one and get it there, so at least then I would have a warranty. For such a large purchase I plan to make sure to get it right.

Do yourself a favor and DO NOT I repeat DO NOT buy an extended warranty for your T.V. it will be a waste of your money!

[AVTechMan]

Do yourself a favor and DO NOT I repeat DO NOT buy an extended warranty for your T.V. it will be a waste of your money!

Oh I know....BB warranties are utterly worthless as I have researched in the past. But they sure can smooth talk though lol. Anyway picked up the set tonight and brought it home. Course they offered to do the setup and connecting my components, even though they offered it free of charge, I declined. I can do my own connections, as I work with AV equipment on a regular basis and I surely dont have to rely on someone else to do something I can well do myself.

And I love how light the set is! Had no trouble taking it upstairs. Now its just a matter of time before the DVD player and movies arrive. Gonna be an HD blast this year!

[LeeS]

The new BusinessWeek makes a case for BluRay winning the format war. They state that Warners may join soon.