 Upconversion not worth it! Strengths: Decent picture through component 480p, great sound using DTS and the optical port, let's me play VHS movies as well.
Weaknesses: The upconversion is the only reason one would purchase this, but the picture quality actually decreases! On top of that, they only allow component to display a resolution of 480p because of HDCP stuff
Summary: PLEASE NOTE! I am using an HDMI to DVI converter. However, this should show absolutely NO degradation of picture quality. The only difference between the two is the fact that HDMI transfers sound as well as picture. Both are entirely digital however. As far as regular DVD playback goes, regardless of connection, there is some pausing between the chapters on the disc. Not too bad, but for someone who is buying an up-conversion player, most likely he/she wants the best, which this is not. Also, you can only watch the VCR through either composite (RCA) or coaxial. No S-Video. Not sure how many other players would even offer S-Video as an output for the VCR though. Anyways, I have hooked up this unit through both the component and HDMI (DVI) to compare picture quality, and I must say, the component actually looks better! The HDCP crap doesn't allow the component to output above 480p, but even at that resolution the color quality of the component beats the HDMI. HDMI seems to display "chunks" of color, whereas the component displays a smooth gradation between colors. When I enable resolutions above 480p (very easy to do), I can only use HDMI, but the color chunks ruin the "fun" of the higher resolutions. One thing I was happy to see was the fact that my DVI connection is apparently HDCP certified! Otherwise, higher resolutions WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE! Don't try to watch regular DVDs in HD. The maximum resolution of a DVD regularly is only 640x480p. Be patient, and wait for blue ray or HD dvd to drop in price if you want an HD picture. Oh, and FYI, make sure your TV is HDCP certified if you plan on watching either of those formats!!!! And don't buy one yet either, HDMI 1.3 is going to be released within the next 6 months, and along with that is a new wave of "Deep Color" TVs. So even if you have a TV that has an HDMI port on it right now, it will be obsolete in the next 6 months when HDMI 1.3 is released. Don't believe me? Look it up. 48 bit color instead of 32 bit. ANYWAYS, JUST BE PATIENT.
 100% of People (4/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
 There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
Report this as 
