Pleasantly surprised by DVD

Elton said:
If you want to take it even further (cheaply) -- get a $60 Toshiba upconverting DVD player and watch through HDMI. DVD's upscaled to 720 look particularly good.
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I have the Samsung upconvert DVD player connected via HDMI and it looks great on my 42" DLP hdtv. I highly suggest it.
 
You know what looks AMAZING, by far the best DVD quality I've seen? I hooked up my MacBook Pro to my 42 inch HDTV via DVI, which my computer sees as 1920x1080 monitor. The built in DVD player upscales everything and I swear to god on really well mastered DVD's it looks as good as HD. And I get 5.1 dobly digital out the optical port. I don't do this every day but on special occasions it is worth it.
 
Cynic821 said:
i just thought people who are interested/doing video stuff would care more about how they watch theirs and others stuff. not saying everyone needs a 1080p (i did) but i think you owe it to the movies you are watching to view them in the best way possible.
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Yeah, I agree. I need to start shopping around. Anyone know of a good set for under a grand?
 
check out costco, i just got a 23" for $400 its only 1080i and not the biggest but perfect for my room.

Right now i have it connected to my HTPC via VGA but thinking about getting a DVI- HDMI cable, i only have OTA HD but since its free i cant complain...

tommyinla said:
Yeah, I agree. I need to start shopping around. Anyone know of a good set for under a grand?
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I was working for a sports facility and we did tons of testing and eventhough the old saying is (crap in crap out) we found that even when we shot DV or DVCam if after editing we went out component the skin tone were much smother and the video signal was much higher quality than if we went out DV. So our work flow was to go out component to master nomatter what we brought video in as. Also if the playback system supports component if would look even better. Component handles color seperation so much better than DV or SVHS.
 
I've got a Sony 34" widescreen CRT HDTV, and I wouldn't trade it for any projection or plasma HDTV out there right now. With my Sony upconverting DVD Player via HDMI, and it looks nearly as good as a lot of the HDTV broadcasts (from TW Cable). I've got no reason to start investing in an HD DVD format for a while...unless my wife wants to buy me a PS3.
 
webdog said:
check out costco, i just got a 23" for $400 its only 1080i and not the biggest but perfect for my room.

Right now i have it connected to my HTPC via VGA but thinking about getting a DVI- HDMI cable, i only have OTA HD but since its free i cant complain...
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Who's it made by? I'd like to go a little bigger than 23", but that's not a bad price for that size.


Mike McNeese said:
I've got a Sony 34" widescreen CRT HDTV, and I wouldn't trade it for any projection or plasma HDTV out there right now. With my Sony upconverting DVD Player via HDMI, and it looks nearly as good as a lot of the HDTV broadcasts (from TW Cable). I've got no reason to start investing in an HD DVD format for a while...unless my wife wants to buy me a PS3.
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How much did the Sony run you?
 
The problem with a 34" CRT is that it weighs about 9000 pounds. If I were in the market today I'd go for an LCD panel. They're as good as plasma's now, but lighter and with a longer life span.
 
tommyinla said:
Who's it made by? I'd like to go a little bigger than 23", but that's not a bad price for that size.
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Its a Sceptre, not a major brand but picture looks good and like you say the price is good.

Its on sale right now the 15th it goes back up to $500.
 
Mike McNeese said:
I've got a Sony 34" widescreen CRT HDTV, and I wouldn't trade it for any projection or plasma HDTV out there right now. With my Sony upconverting DVD Player via HDMI, and it looks nearly as good as a lot of the HDTV broadcasts (from TW Cable). I've got no reason to start investing in an HD DVD format for a while...unless my wife wants to buy me a PS3.
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yea but dont forget, 1080i on a 34" screen isnt doing the Monitor Justice.

View 1080i/p on my 60" monitor, and you start understanding what this whole HD thing is about. Its not that its that much sharper, its that you can have a HUGE screen, and the image still looks "good" from average viewing distance.
 
TimurCivan said:
I highly reccomend anyone who hasnt done this yet with thier HDTV to do it, it breathes new life in to all my DVD's.
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Timur, thanks for the tip. Just hooked up some component cables & switched the settings.
I was bummed out on DVDs when I upgraded to HD a few months ago, but as you said, this breathes some life into the format.
Did a quick test watching "The Warriors Director's Cut" and "Mad Max". I know they are older movies, but they look great. (Before i was using standard RCA cable & 4:3 setting)
 
tommyinla said:
How much did the Sony run you?
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I got it at Sears (of all places) on sale for $1450...three years ago I think?

The only thing I would trade it in for would be a Bravia 40" 1080p LCD. But still, the contrast ratios and dynamics ranges aren't up to par with the CRT.

Yes, it does weigh 275 pounds...the glass alone is 180+

TimurCivan said:
1080i on a 34" screen isnt doing the Monitor Justice.
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How so? I'm not AT ALL bashing projection owners, but to me the principal behind them is an artificial blow-up of the image. Most LCD projection TVs are running off a 9-19" LCD that's being blown-up 4-500%.
 
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