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Question about video scalers

I recently purchased a Sony Bravia 40" lcd television and am less than thrilled at the quality of some standard definition material. Our previous CRT display, a 32" hdtv Hitachi Ultravision, actually looked better to me than the Sony and looked great on all programming, hdtv or standard. The Sony looked better than anything else in the store on hdtv, but the inhome experience lacks a bit on standard def. I'm sure a big part of it is that the larger screen magnifies source quality discrepancies. So, my question is, how well do video upscalers work and how much does one have to spend to get acceptable quality? I see everything from $300 units to $5k or more Runcos. Any tips or where to purchase and what to look for? FWIW, cable service delivered through an Atlanta Scientific Explorer 8300hd box/dvr connected via component inputs. I've got a HDMI cable on the way.
photon46
t_bone
1,182 posts
 
I think Photon46' point may be that the substantially lower line count of standard definition format, when played back on a large screen high-definition TV means that things are chunky. You get the same problem with DVDs on ultra-large full high-definition screens (like the new 65" Panny plasma or the 72" Sharp Aquos LCD). When Sully in Monsters Inc. has his blue fluff turn into digitized hair (with right angles to follicle edges sometimes), which can only be reconverted to fluff by squinting a bit, one realizes that the high-def screen format really begs for high-def source material.
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
I think a part of the problem starts at the stores such as Magnolia/ BB/CC and the like,in that have a higher resolution feed than we have at home. Not to mention some sets are just set better-- in their menu's--Which is why colors differ set to set,in the stores. So, you get your set home and there is some letdown.---(In that their feed has a higher bit rate/less compressed.)
CRT's do black better than any other tech,so having one in the same room, or having that, as your last tv, don't help much.
A scaler in the right hands could help,I would guess; --- much like a calibration WILL help.
I read LCD's have come a long way;but they were starting from the botton rung,re. blacks.
In TPV,set after set,-- that they review/.i.e. plasmas/lcd's ALWAYS score low for black level,some score low for color accuracy and the like.
Also, factor in that HD SHOULD look better;it's why we buy the sets.
At least there is now an equalizer.--- HD-DVD or BlueRay. Now PQ at the store should be =,if we have one of those players at home(Or buy one).
nrostov
199 posts
 
Get an ISF certified technician to calibrate your tv before you waste any money on a scaler. I had it done on my tv and it was a night and day difference:
http://www.imagingscience.com/isf-trained.cfm
rysa4
266 posts
 
T_bone's last sentence hits the nail on the head concisely and accurately.
goatwuss
877 posts
 
Photon -
Yes - a quality scaler will significantly help making SD look better.

Look into DVDO www.dvdo.com , I've had good luck with a VP30 with the ABT102 card

More expensive (but others say is good too) is Crystalio 2
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