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HDTV & current DVD players - What do WE do?

It's clear that DVD is going to be around for quite a while. So the dilemma now is how to get the most out of our standard-definition discs on the HDTVs we watch them on? Part of the answer involves video scaling, which is the process of filling in the spaces between pixels by borrowing parts of the existing pixels encoded in the DVD video. Many HDTV sets have scaling equipment built in to do this already, but oftentimes the cheap chips installed by the manufacturer are not up to the task, and leave the image looking blocky and pixelated. A good video processor can clean this up, but traditionally the decent ones cost thousands of dollars. A recent trend has seen the introduction of scaling properties into the DVD players themselves. Again, usually the better players with these features have been the most expensive, while the reasonably priced models have had a host of quality problems, especially in the area of progressive scan deinterlacing, that make them unsuitable for many discerning videophiles.

Given the above realities and impending technology shift, what do we do NOW? It doesn't appear to make sense to spend $500+ for a DVD player when HDDVD is around the corner and yet it's unacceptable to live with poor PQ on our HDTV's. Besides Oppo (good & bad reviews), who makes a high quality DVD player for under $500 that utilizes Component video? Some here have mentioned LG's most recent offering - what makes it and others better than Oppo?

Thanks,
DB
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reubent
6,986 posts
 
DB,

In your post you specifically mention the Oppo Player, HDTV and component video. Here are my thoughts on this combination:

The Oppo is supposed to have the best picture quality of any DVD player ever tested by "Secrets of Home Theater" when connected via its digital output (DVI or DVI->HDMI) to an HDTV that has a digital input (DVI or HDMI). The Oppo is supposedly not great when connected via analog (component video).

Considering the Oppo cost $200 direct from Oppo and supposedly has outstanding factory support, I would simply buy the Oppo and try it if your HDTV has a digital input.

My father-in-law bought the Oppo to use with his HP MD6580N 65" DLP TV. He says it is the best DVD picture quality he has ever seen.

Of course, if your HDTV doesn't have a digital input, you should just buy a new TV! :)

Enjoy,

TIC
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dolfan
109 posts
 
I bought the Zenith DVB 318 for $98. It upscales via component/DVI and has a very good picture via component. I am using it just as you describe to hold me over 'til fall when I'll get a Blu Ray or Universal player.
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whart
3,037 posts
 
I have been using an HD Leeza for a couple of years with a cheap DVD player that has been modified to output in SDI. The signal is processed in the digital domain on thru to the projector- a 1 chip DLP by Marantz. The picture is far, far more involving, and filmic, than my old 3 gun NEC tweaked projector with outboard line doubler. I don't know what the Leeza goes for on the used market, but it might be worth checking. Also, aren't all those fancy Faroujda boxes that were 10-15k dollars now almost nothing on the used market? His stuff always looked good to me.
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dlshifi
41 posts
 
I'm a bit of a dummy on HT subjects, being fairly new to the game, but I can tell you that using the component video on an Oppo I won't be in any hurry to move to HD. Color is rich and satisfying, with deep blacks and reds, adjustable if it's too much. The highly-touted DVI connection looks washed-out in comparison (it may be a poor match with my NEC HT-1100 projector). I previously used a Denon 3910, but it wasn't even a close contest! Not the definition I get when watching HDTV signals, obviously, but nearly as satisfying--the Oppo (on component video) really brings the picture to life, at least for me. Of course, YMMV.
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