High def DVD players/recorders - ignorant question!

madasaflake · 16-10-2008, 19:09

OK - so I don't know anything about these things which is why I am asking!
We have a Sony LCD TV with HDMI connectivity. If I buy a high def DVD player or recorder will it still make a difference to the way ordinary DVDs play or only special ones? I have to get a new one anyway so thought I may as well try and improve on what we had before.
If it will enhance our viewing, any suggestions as to what to go for?
Thanks.

sancheeez · 16-10-2008, 19:20

Sony TV's generally have a pretty good upscaler in them.

Playback of standard DVD's isn't likely to improve much (if at all) unless you spend a couple of hundred, at least, for a DVD player with a VERY good upscaler.

Most cheap DVD players (anything sub £150 really) are much of a muchness .... whether connected via HDMI or RGB SCART. I tried it when I got my big TV (also a Sony) and I couldn't see any difference between the same DVD played back in my fairly old and cheap DVD player connected via SCART and played back in my XBOX 360 (which upscales ... apparently) connected via HDMI. They looked identical as far as I could tell.

But, if you get an HD-DVD Player (now obsolete so probably not worth it although there are quite a few cheap discs to be had since it lost the war with Bluray) or a Bluray player (the one to go for .... it won the HD format war) then you'll see a pretty big difference if you get some proper HD movies.

madasaflake · 16-10-2008, 19:40

Thanks Sancheeez - advice much appreciated.
I get a bit lost with all this new stuff out and don't want to make an expensive mistake.

MAW · 16-10-2008, 21:04

If you buy a Blu Ray player, I should think, if you are used to supermarket specials, you will see a serious difference even with ordinary DVDs.

Nigel Goodwin · 16-10-2008, 21:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAW

If you buy a Blu Ray player, I should think, if you are used to supermarket specials, you will see a serious difference even with ordinary DVDs.

I've tried comparing BluRay and normal players, playing the same SD DVD - and there seems very little difference (I couldn't tell you which was which in a blind test). I've never seen an HD-DVD machine to try, but I suspect it depends mostly on the quality of your TV.

MAW · 17-10-2008, 07:26

Yep, that's why I'm offering the comparison with supermarket specials. I can see a difference in aback to back against a cheapie, but if it were a 'budget player with aspirations' it's not so easy. Oppo would spring to mind as leader of this pack.

16-10-2008, 19:09	#1
madasaflake Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 812	High def DVD players/recorders - ignorant question! OK - so I don't know anything about these things which is why I am asking! We have a Sony LCD TV with HDMI connectivity. If I buy a high def DVD player or recorder will it still make a difference to the way ordinary DVDs play or only special ones? I have to get a new one anyway so thought I may as well try and improve on what we had before. If it will enhance our viewing, any suggestions as to what to go for? Thanks.

16-10-2008, 19:20	#2
sancheeez Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,762	Sony TV's generally have a pretty good upscaler in them. Playback of standard DVD's isn't likely to improve much (if at all) unless you spend a couple of hundred, at least, for a DVD player with a VERY good upscaler. Most cheap DVD players (anything sub £150 really) are much of a muchness .... whether connected via HDMI or RGB SCART. I tried it when I got my big TV (also a Sony) and I couldn't see any difference between the same DVD played back in my fairly old and cheap DVD player connected via SCART and played back in my XBOX 360 (which upscales ... apparently) connected via HDMI. They looked identical as far as I could tell. But, if you get an HD-DVD Player (now obsolete so probably not worth it although there are quite a few cheap discs to be had since it lost the war with Bluray) or a Bluray player (the one to go for .... it won the HD format war) then you'll see a pretty big difference if you get some proper HD movies.

16-10-2008, 19:40	#3
madasaflake Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 812	Thanks Sancheeez - advice much appreciated. I get a bit lost with all this new stuff out and don't want to make an expensive mistake.

16-10-2008, 21:04	#4
MAW Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 28,577	If you buy a Blu Ray player, I should think, if you are used to supermarket specials, you will see a serious difference even with ordinary DVDs.

16-10-2008, 21:38	#5
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by MAW If you buy a Blu Ray player, I should think, if you are used to supermarket specials, you will see a serious difference even with ordinary DVDs. I've tried comparing BluRay and normal players, playing the same SD DVD - and there seems very little difference (I couldn't tell you which was which in a blind test). I've never seen an HD-DVD machine to try, but I suspect it depends mostly on the quality of your TV.

17-10-2008, 07:26	#6
MAW Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 28,577	Yep, that's why I'm offering the comparison with supermarket specials. I can see a difference in aback to back against a cheapie, but if it were a 'budget player with aspirations' it's not so easy. Oppo would spring to mind as leader of this pack.

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High def DVD players/recorders - ignorant question!