Question about SD vs HD

[Mulder]

I just wanted to know something, maybe one of you have tried this. If I connect a SD DVD player to a SD wide screen TV and then connect a Upconverting DVD player to a HDTV, which will give me better PQ?

[bignickdawg]

The Upconverting DVD player to a HDTV "Should" look better

In this case you'd have componets, hdmi or DVI as a connection option whereas SD-DVD S-video is more then likely your "best" connection option.

[Smackos]

Originally Posted by bignickdawg

The Upconverting DVD player to a HDTV "Should" look better

In this case you'd have componets, hdmi or DVI as a connection option whereas SD-DVD S-video is more then likely your "best" connection option.

.. the better connections used would make the difference.. not the supposed resolution gain you'd be getting. Don't forget an upscaling player basically used algorithms to "guess" the missing pixels that are needed to transfer an SD picture to a HD picture so it won't any better than the original picture was to start with as far as I see it. Especially with the cheapo type upscaling players out there, some of which are'nt even as good as your telly's own inbuilt upscaler.. IF you get to the upper level scalers then sure you'll get a better picture because the proccessing they use is extremely good in them.

[Mulder]

So unless I buy a REALLY good upscaler, I'd be better off watching DVD's on a normal player with a SD screen?

[bootman]

Again it depends.
Sometimes the TV itself has a good upscaler.
What TV are we talking about?
If its a high end one, this may be the case.
Otherwise, getting a player that has a good upscaling chip will be your best bet.

[Joe Cain]

Before buying the PS3 I got the cheapest upscaling/upconverting HDMI DVD player I could find, basically to test the principle in my own home on my own HDTV. As the cheapest, its flaw came glaring out soon enough: reading some DVDs & displaying them in full widescreen, a moving horizontal line wide sometimes appear that split and slightly offset the image onscreen. Maddening.

But the improvement in picture quality, even on that cheapo, was dramatic; it made it considerably easier to decide to step up to the PS3, knowing the PS3's reputation for quality upconverting. Granted my TV will only output 1080i and ain't very big (and I sit some distance from it as well), but especially when upscaling quality animation the PQ seems very nearly as good as the local over-air HD signal I pull off the antenna. Just my experience; your mileage may vary.